New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-18

tration for settlement. and inauiring whether 1t
would be submitted.
The answer of the British Government, which
was then awaited has since been received and,
together with the dispatch which 1t is reply,
is hereto appended
Such reply Is embodied il. two communications
addressed by the British Prime Minister to Sir
Julian Pauncefote the British Ambassador at
this cspital.
1t will be seen that one Of these communications
Is devoted exclusively to observations upon the
Monroe Doctrine, and claims that In the present
instance new and strange extension and devei-
opment Of the doctrine is insisted on by the United
States: that the reasons jtstiying an appeal to
the doctrine enuncated bv President Monroe are
generally inappicable Ito the state OF things III
which we live al the present day., and especially
inapplicable to a controversy involving the bound
airy line between Great Britain and Venezuela
TUE MONROE DOCTRINE NOT OBSOLETE.
Without attempting extended argument In reply
to these positions, 1t may not be smiss to suggest
that the doctrine upon which we stand Is strong
and sound because It's "
our peace and safety as nation and is essential
To the integrity OF our free institutions and the
TRANQUIL maintenance Of Cur distinctive form OF
government.
It was Intended to apply to everv stage OF our
National life and cannot become obsolete while
our Republic endures II the balance of power is
Justly a cause for jealous anxiety among the gov
ernments OF the Old World ard subject for our
absolute non-nterference. the less Is an OBJ
servance of the Monroe Doctrine Of vital concern
to our people and tn cir Government. Assuming
therefore, that we may properly insist upon this
doctrine without regard to "the state OF things
In which We live" or any changed conditions here
or elsewhere It Is not apparent why this applica-
ton may not be invoked in the present contro-
versy
II a uropean Power. by an extension Of It's
boundaries. takes possession of the territory or
one Of our neighborng republics against its VIII
and In derogation Of its rights, it is difficult TO
see why to that extent such European Power
does not thereby attempt to extend Its system Of
government 10 that portion of this continent
which is thus taken.
A TRUE AMERICAN PRINCIPLE.
This s the precise action which President
Monroe declared to be Dangerous to our peace
and safety" and It can make no difference
whether the European system Is extended by an
advance of frontier or otherwise.
IT is also suggested In the British reply that
we should not seek to apply the Monroe Doctrine
to the pending dispute. because 1t does not en-
body any principle Of international law which rs
founded on the general consent OF nations" and
that mo statesman. however eminent. and no
nation. however powerful. competent to insert
into the code Of international law novel principle
which was never recognized before. and which
has not since been accepted by the Government
of any other country"
Practically, the principle for which we contend
has peculiar, II not exclusive relation to the
United States. 1t may not have been admitted in
so many words to the code of international law
but since in international counsels every nation
is entitled to rights belonging to 1t. II the
forcement OF the Monroe Doctrine is something
We may Justly claim. 1t has Its place in the code
OF international law az certainly and as securely
as II It were specifically mentioned. and when
the United States Is a su'tor before the high
tribunal that administers international law, the
question to determine is whether or not we pre-
sent claims which the Justice OF that code OF law
can find to be right and valid.
The Monroe Doctrine finds it's recognition In
the principles Of international law which are
based upon the theory that every nation shall
have its rights protected and its just claims
forced
CLEAR RIGHTS AND UNDOUBTED CLAIMS.
or course, this Government is entirely conf
dent that under the sanction OF this doctrine.
we have clear rights and undoubted claims. Nor
Is this ignored in the British reply The Prime
Minister. while not admitting that the Monroe