St. Paul daily globe., 1895-12-23
IN BRITISH EYES.
SIR A. X. ROLLIT REVIEWS THE
ANGLO-AMERECAN SITUA-
TION.
NOT EXPECTING A FIGHT
BUT AS A LAST RESORT GRIM
VISAGED WAR MIGHT BE
PREFERRED.
OF BUSINESS MEN.
Talk With the President of the
British Associated Chambers
of Commerce.

LONDON, Dec 22.-Sir A. K. Rollit,
Conservative member of parliament for
the south division of Islington and
president of the London, Hull and As
sociated chambers of commerce, grant
ed an interview today on the outlook
in the Venezuelan question, es-
pecially respecting the financial
side. After remarking that it was
a delicate and critical position,
he said: TT is deeply to be regretted
that the incident has imperiled both
the good will and trade, and even peace
and commerce must in any case be
most seriously interrupted and injur-
ed just at the time when prospects were
improving and business men were just
ly hoping for better times.''
He did not question the American at
tachment to the Monroe doctrine or
that it was sanctioned by good rea-
sons from their point of view. But,
after all, he said, it was only an ex
parte dictum and had never been en-
bodied in tnternatio law. The feel
ing which inspired it, he thought,
was Ineligible, but in the true sense
of the doctrine, Great Britain could not
justly be said to desire an extension of
territory in seeking a delimitation of
her frontier or in insisting ON a recog-
milton Of what she believes to be her
rights by a state greatly indebted to
her for the development Of her public
works. He did not think it wise for
EngliShmen to attribute the action of
the president merely to party and per-
sonal motives, and felt confident that
Americans generally would ultimately
realize that the course of President
Cleveland and Secretary Olney was i'm
petuous and had seriously embarrassed
even the most peace-loving of English
men,. He relied on the good sense and
commercial instincts and interests of
both people to discover friendly and
honorable solution. In this respect the
gentleman thought the projected meet
ing of the New York chamber of COM
merce would speak for peace He was
sure that the members of the London
chamber of commerce and of other
British chambers were animated by
the same amicable and practical feel
ings.
EFFORTS TO SETTLE.
1t had singularly happened that the
London chamber had shown that spirit
before the question became acute. In
1881 Senor de Coda, president of the Ven
ezuelan congress, had been received Sy
the chamber, and the council of the
chamber informed him that If Nenez-
ueia made satisfactory overtures for
a settlement the chamber would back
a suggestion to the British government
TO arb1trate the question. The senior
expressed his satisfaction and thanks
but when later, in response to the
Georgetown chamber, the London
chamber urged a prompt settlement of
the question, it learned that no such
oVertures had been made to Great Bri-
tain. Again in 1893, when Sir A. K.
Rollit and the council of the chamber
mad been asked to meet the Venez-
uelan minister, they readily assented
TO the date named for the Interview.
Dut the minister was unabl to attend.
Inc associated chamber had also CO.
operated with the London chamber.
and on similar lines. This disposition
should fortify the position of the cham
Der in such a crisis, and he concurred
with them in thinking that interna-
uonal arbitration ought to dispose ami
caoly OF such question. Certainly
anything hnorable, and not an indfg-
nlty, was preferable to war between
kindred nations. But Americans must
remember that Great Britain, too. had
doctrines and feelings, and in the last
resort even war might be preferred tn
peace. Either nation, however. ought
to yield force to right. rather than
right to force.