Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-12-18
THE CORRESPONDENCE.
Abstracts OF Notes That Passed Between Sec.
OInsy and Lord Salisbury.

Washington, Dec. 17.-Although tn
matter submitted to Congress In connec
ton with the foregoing message consists
of three diplomatic notes only, they ar
very yoluminous. Mr.. Olneys note tt
Mr.. Bayard concerning the threatening
aspect of affairs between Great Britain
and Venezuela is first IN the correspond
ence. 1t is dated July 20 last and deals
with the boundary question at grea'
length.
Beginning at the very inception of the
dispute which has now assumed 50 serious
an aspect, Mr.. Olncy carries his argument
of the American claim for arbitration
based on the Monroe doctrine down to the
present time, and gives emphasis to his
statements by urging the sentiments Of
President Monroe in full, and notes that
sits announcement by ths Monroe ad-
ministration at the particular time was
unconstitutional, due to the inspiration OF
Crest Britain, who at once gave to it ali
opening and unqualified adhesion which
has never been Withdrawn.
Mr.. Olney gives in his note firm en-
dorsement to the principle enunciatcd by
Monroe and defines Great Britain's posi-
ton in this frank. manner: She (Great
Britain) says to Venezuela: You can get
none of the debatable land by force, be
cause you are not strong enough; you can
get none by treaty, because | will not
agree, and you can take your chances OF
getting a portion by arbitration, only If
YOU first agree to abandon to me such
other portions as ! may designate
Continuing Mr., Olney says 1t is not
perceived how such an attitude can be de-
fined nor how it Is rcconcilable with that
love of justice and fair play SO eminently
characteristic Of the English race, and
holds that if such position be adhered to
1t should be regarded a. amounting in
substance to an invasion and conquest of
Venezuelan territory.
In conclusion, Mr.. Olney says that in
these circumstances the duty of the Presi-
dent apacars to BIN ubmistakable and
imperative.
10 ignore Great Britain's assertion of
title and her refusal to have that title in
yestigated and not to protest and give
warning against the substantial appro-
priation by Great Britain. of the territory
for her own use, would he to ignore an
established policy with which the honor
and welfare of this country are closely
identified.
He therefore instructed Mr. Bayard to
lay the views given before Lord Salisbury
and said "rhey (thc vieWs) call for Il
definite decision upon tho point whether
Great Britain will consent or will decline
to submit the Venezuelan boundary ques
ton in til entirety to impartial arbitra-
ton.
Expressing the President hope that
the conclusion will be on the side CT ar6i-
tration, Mr.. Olney concludes with the
pointed statement that If tire President is
to be disappointed in the hope, however a
result not to be anticipated, and in his
judgement calculated to greatly eInharrass
the future relations between this country
and Great Britain 1t is his wish to he
made acquainted with the fac5 at such an
carly date as will enable him to lay the
whole subject before sending in his next
annual me sage.
Lord Salisbury s reply is addressed to
Sir Julisn Pauucefote, the British am
bassador at Washington, under the date
Of Nov. IS, last. This dealt only with the
application Of the Monroe doctrine in the
case at issue, and was followed on the
same day by another, discussing the
boundary dispute per Sc. At the outset
Lord Salisbury states that so far as he Is
aware the Monroe doctrine has never been
before advanced ON behalf of the I nited
States in any written communication adj
dressed to the government of another
nation.
He gives what he believed is the Brit h
Interpretation of the doctrine, and m H.
tains that the dangers which were appre-
hended by President Monroe have no re-
lation to the state of things In which we
live at the present day, and adds, with
thinly covered irony. that sit is intelligi-
BILE that Mr.. Olpey should invoke in de-
fence of the views of which he is now in
sisting an authority (Monroe) which en-
joys SO high popularity with his own
fellow couotrymen.
The dispute between Great Britain and
Venezuela, AYERS Lord Salisbury, Is con-
trovcrsy with which the United States
have no apparent practical concern.
Continuing in short, pitby sentences,
he says 1t is difficult indeed to see how
the question in controversy can material
ly affect any state or community outside