New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-09
LORD SALISBURY'S REPLY.
1T IS KEPT UNDER LOCK AND KEY IN
THE STATE DEPARTMENT.
RELIEF THAT SECRETARY OLNEY MADE OFT
STRONG cAsE-THE VIEW THE PRESIDENT
TOOK or THE VENEZUELAN DISPUTE
WHEN MR.. BAYARD WAS AT THE
HEAD OF, THE STATE
DEPARTMENT.
[ny TELEGRAPH 20 THE rRrsuNE. !

Washington. Dec. 8.-The reply of Lord Sans-
bury 10 Secretary Oney Is securely locked up IN
the Stctc Department. While 1t is known that
the English Prime Minister declines at much
length to submit the question of the Venezuelan
boundary question TO arbitration, his special ar
guments are kept from the public. 1t Is reason
able to suppose that in the near future Congress
will be permitted to read copy Of Lord Sails
5ury's reply. and also the original note of the
state Department AS the answer Of Great
Britain is adverse to the claims of the State De-
partment there may be some delay on the part
of the President in communicating with Con-
eress. Members of the Senate and House stand
ready to pass a resolution calling for the cor
respondence at an early day, however, and II
the DELAY is unusual a measure of this nature
will be passed.
In the Senate there are several who will not
show much patience in determining upon a
course to get the facts Among these the i'm
preston is growing that Mr. Olneys legal pre-
sentation OF the case is sound and strong, ana
that he argued with much ceverness the question
of the validity Of British contentious, but that
the American feature-that relating to the Mon
roe Doctrne-could have been stated much more
firmly and directly. This disposition seems to
be to assume that the Secretary Of State has
departed from the custom of the present Admin
istration and shown some vgor but specific
proof of the fact would allay some natural doubt
in the matter
The President in his message only dealt In gen.
eralities. He left the details to be reported upon
learning that Lord Salisbury had finally decided
what to say after nearly six months delibera-
ton There are not a few among the well-in-
formed who suspect that a thorough analysis
OF Mr.. Clney's note will show that the Presi-
dents timidity in foreign affairs stands out IN
the Venezuelan note ra' her too prominently. No
one seems to doubt that the Secretary of state
had firm views but remembering what has gone
before. IT is difficult to imagine that the Presi-
dent would permit really vigorous state paper
to go forth which had not some saving clause.
AS indicating the Presidents conversion by Mr.
Olney, II the la;ters note turns out to be
specially vigorous one it is Of interest to take
into account that which President Cleveland
authorized to be said when Mr.. Bayard was Sec
rotary of State. or greater moment, perhaps
is the fact that Secretary Blame was the only
head of the State Department who succeeded
I'm obtaining from an English Prime Minister
Lord Salisbury. by the way-a reply to notes
on the Venezuelan boundary Ambassador Bay
ard. when Secretary Of State, sent several notes
to Minister Phelps relative to the boundary OF
Great Britaln'c Guiana possessions. His re-
cause they indicated the views of President
Cleveland at that time. The object was to have
the dispute submitted to arbitration. Mr. Bay
ard spoke thus in one note to Minister Phelps:
The good offices of this Government have been
rendered 10 Venezuela, 10 suggest 10 Great Br,talh
the submission of the boundary dispute 10 arDi'ra-
ton; but, when shown that such action on our
part would exclude MS from acting as ARBITRATOR
Venezuela ceased to press the matter IN that direc
ton. While she has expressed her acceptance in
principle, upon suggestion, Of arbitration as a
al the same time indicated an unwngness ac
cept arbitrator any Government but that OF the
United States, and has explicitly requested TINS
Government to act in that capacity. To such re-
quest, however, coming from only one OF me inter
ested parties, no answer could be returned. be-
yond expression of the opinion that request 70
arb.trate could be entertained by this
10 the controversy.
Again in a confidential note TO Mr. Phelps,
dated December 60 1856, Mr.. Bayard said:
1t does not appear that at any time heretofore hd
the good offices of this Government have been
Britain and Venezuela. Our inaction in this re-
gard would seem to be due TO the reiuctanIce OF
Venezuela to have the Government or me uni it
States take any steps having relation TO the ACTON
OF the British Government which might IN ap-
pearance even, prejudice the resort TO our arDl-
tration mediation, which NeneZde.a desired.
Nevertheless. the records abundantly TESTIFY our
pute; and the intelligence now received warrants
Government, the good Offices of the United States
to promote amicable settlement OF the respec-
tive claims or Great frita!n ana NeheHued III tHe
premises. 49, 80 - -,
As proof of the !mpartiality with which we view
the question offer our arbitration, II acceptance
TO both count ries. We do this with the less hesi,
fancy as the dispute turns upon ss;;mpse, and an.
readily ascertainabe historical facts. Her Males
rvs Government will readily understand that this
attitude OF friendly neutrality and entire impair
flaltv touching the merits of the controversy,
consisting wholly In difference of facts between
our friends and neighbors. is entirely consistent
ana comDatIbe with the OF responsibility that
rests upon the United states in relation to the
South American republics The doctrines We an
| two instance ana
With the cordial support and approval of the Brit
| ish Government have lost none Of their force or
Importance in the progress of time. and the Gov
ernrnents Of Great Britain and the United states
are equally Interested in conserving status. the
" sdom OF which has been demonstrated by the
exnarIence of more than half century.
II is to be observed that Mr.. Bayard never sent
out an important State paper without previous
consultation with President Cleveland. and the
foregoing is to be taken as the attitude at that
| time OF the President. The Monroe Doctrine is
! referred t. mildly, but no demands were made
and there was not even vigorous presentation
Of the case
It was Mr. Blaine through Minister Lincoln
who first got any definite reply from England's
Foreign Secretary. On May l, 1880, he sent this
telegram 10 Minister Lincon:
Mr. Lincoln Is instructed to use his good offices
with Lord Salisbury TO bring about the resumption
of diplomatic Intercourse between Great Britain and
Venezuela as a preliminary step toward the settle
,nent of the boundary dispute by arbitration. The
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