Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-12-18
The Venezuelan Controversy.

President Cleveland's message to Con
gress On the Venezuelan question stands
out in striking contrast to all other state
documents which he has given to the pub
ious nature of the subject upon which it
treats. nor because of the position as
sumed. Both of these important features
were foretold in the announcement by the
President in that part Of his message of
the Sd inst, which outlined the steps
taken. This last message is conspicuous
for terscness in contrast with accustomed
prolixity, for directness and incisive and
unequivocal statement in marked contrast
President public papers. But, above all,
this message is distinguished in that it
touches a responsive chord in every Ameri-
can breast 1t is message that has
patriotic ring and appeals to Americanism
and not to partisanship, whatever may
have been the motives that prompted it.
OF these there necessarily will be different
opinions.
Not few Democrats see in this position
a bid for third term and are displeascd.
All who have carefully noted the course of
Cleveland foreign policy and the scant
respect it has excited abroad, will find it
difficult to believe that this crisis could
not have been avoided or at least some of
its harsh features eliminated had the
foreign powers thought that under such
administration a united American policy
would b. sustained. in President Cleve
lands attitude toward Hawaii and Samoa
there was nothing to indicate the position
which he and Secretary Oiney have as
sumed in the Venezuelan affair, but
exactly the reverse. 1t is impossible, even
at this time, to forget that the admins
tration acts toward our natural outposts
in the Pacific were As contemplate as its
attitude toward English aggression in
Venezuela is admirable. But that the
President in this latter course will receive
the support of Republicans in every right
step taken cannot he doubted, especially
when is recalled the resolutions on the
Monroe doctrine introduced in the Senate
by Mr. Lodge, Dec 3. Here is the last of
those resolutions;
Resolved that in accordance with the
doctrine laid down by President Monroe,
a. stated in the preceding resolutions, the
United States declares that it proposes to
maintain the principles embodied in that
doctrin and regard any infringement of
it, or any attempt on the part of any
European power to take or acquire new
territory on the American continent,
whether under prctence of boundary dis
putes or otherwise, as an act of hostility
to the United States.
The Republican party has ever upheld
the principles of the Monroe doctrine, and
when convinced of the justice of its ap-
plication to any question, will ever be
found in support of it.
Just what grounds salisbury takes in
support of his refusal to arbitrate cInnot
text of his reply is seen. He seems to have
taken diplomatic advantage of enc of
Secretary Olneys statements, which.
stripped Of its context, appears To convey
u wrong impression. Assuredly he could
not have meant to even imply that the
union between Canada and Great Britain
is inexpedient and unnatural While
MIR olncy. especially in correspondence of
Bile for such an interpretation. it does
seem that Lord Salisbury took an unfair
advantage. rs is perhaps natural where
one has apoor case. Certainly, in SO much