The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-12-18
The Newspapers Surprised. as
Well as Belligerent.
WISH "moNRoEISm" WE'RE DEAD
They Urge Their Government 10 Hold
ont. Even If War Is a Result.
Proposal l. the Most Astounding.
since the DAYS OF Napoleon: That
England Cannot Rs-cesie From Her
Position Without Disgracing Her.
self.

London. Dec. f7.-Au the morning n
pers tomorrow viii devote more or less of
their editorial space 20 a discussion Of
President Clevelands message on the Ven
eZuelan question. and 10 the merits Of that
question itself The Daily telegraph Lib
eral. VIII publish an editorial contending.
that Americans have no concern In the
Venezuelan dispute The editorial goes on
70 say. In truth. this insertion Of the
Monroe doctrine seems on this side Of the
water - oe irrelevant. because there u
no question q territorial greed or the i'm
position of European system. Il Is ah-
s'lr6. because . statement Of a. American
policy can hardly claim 70 attain the rank
ef a principle OF international law BY
What right does the Washington city
government demand the arbitration OF this
matter, when the very theory which guides
their interference has absolutely nothing
To do with the points In dispute2 What
nation has ever agreed TO the Monroe doc
trines How often has the Washington
City government itself ventured n advance
it2 We say nothing to the process Of
twisting the lions tail generally resorted
TO at times Of electoral excitement. Yet II
u be true that all this jealous support OF
Venezuela originates in partisan intrigues
there stiil less. reason why ne should
submit 10 what. from "A British standpoint
is a wholly perverse and inAdmissible
claim
The Daily Graphic says editoriany: "The
epitaph Of the Monroe doctrine has been
written in the Venezuelan correspondence.
Mr.. Cleveland's message : A document
which self-respecting Americans VIII rot
read with either pride or pleasure. u only
serves 10 illustrate another or the inherent
absurd.ties OF the modern Interpretation of
he Monroe nj Kafa afgA
does not propose 10 instruct Mr. Bayard 10
demand his passports. nor does he con-
template an invasion OF Canada or an ex-
pediton to Demarara. He is struck by
the awkward fact that he must first ascer-
tain what there is to fight ABOUT. Does
President Cleveland seriously think that
We can admit the proposition that the from
tiers Of European colonies in the two
Americas are to be held at the good pleas
ure Of a committee OF Washington City
gentlemen? What would the United
States have said in 1875 If, as an American
power We had advanced the claim, based
on this principle. 10 protect Mexico from
"A wantonly aggressive war by which Pres
dent Cleveland's predecessors settled the
Texan boundary dispute?'
The Times says: II Is impossible 10 dis
guise the gravity OF the difficulties that
have arisen between Great Britain and the
United States. President Cleveland's mes
SAGE ana It's reception pA HoLu SluES % L&Ac
senate gives additiona! Importance 10 the
dispatches between Washington CITY and
London. The details Of the boundary dis
pute are insignificant in comparison with
the far-reacbng claims advanced IN AIr.
Olney's dispatch and emphasized in Presi-
dent CleVeland's message. Convinced, as
we are that "A rupture between the two
great English-speaking communities would
he a calamity not only to themselves. but
10 the civilized world. We are nevertheless
driven 20 the conclusion that the conces-
soas this country Is so imperlously sum-
moned o make are such as no self-respect-
ing nation, least OF all one ruling an en-
pre- that has It's roots in every quarter OF
the globe. could possibly submit 10. The
United States themselves would never for
a moment dream Of yielding TO this kind
Of dicta1on. We are OF the same blood. and
shall not he less careful Of our national
honor We can harllysbclieve the course
threatened by President Cleveland will be
seriously adopted BY the American govern
ment but, if SO. Il is incumbent upon US.
without entering upon any aggressive
measures. TO protect our imperial interests
and TO stand up for our rights under inter-
national law
The Times then proceeds 10 argue that
the Monroe doctrine has never been rec
ocr.zed as international LAW. and quotes
ICrd Salsbury's admission that any dis
turoance of the existing territorial dlstr,-
hutton in the western hemisphere By any
European state would be highly inexped.-
ent. and then continues: but the recog-
milton Of this eXpedie1cy does not cover
the preposterous deductions which Mr. o.
ney's dispatch advances and which Mr..
Cleveland makes the basis Of the most as
founding proposal that has perhaps ever
been advanced by any government in
times of peace since the days Of Napoleon.
We desire 70 speak with al proper re-
9.
Great Britain VII Eot admit the preten-
SONS put forward By President Cleveland.
No commission appointed Icy a power
which is not party 20 the dispute WI ae
recognized by Us as having tt4e Of any
sort 10 pronounce upon a boundary ques-
t!on Il VIII receive no assistance from
European authorities. It's decision wjli ne
null and void from the outset even 4 is
origin id not ta.nt K with partially. We
shall be very much asiouished II there IS
any disagreement among the organs Of
public opinion !n this country as TO
the manner in which the claim SHOULD be
confronted 20
The Times contends further that Eng
land is bound 10 resist the extended claim
Of Munroeisn. and says, A power which
has command Of the sea does not regard
90 miles Of intervening ocean as severing
81 from fts subjects.
The Standard. the Conservative organ,
IN an editorial says. This extraordinary
document will receive from English pub
Heists more diSpassionate treatment than
The decidedly provocative nature Of its
contents renders altogether easy. Il was
urapared by tho responsible head Of n
state. and VII probably receive the formal
assent of congress. Englishmen must
therefore. take it seriously, and refrain
from. speculations that would otherwise be
attractive as 70 tne utility, in view Of the
presidential election. OF twisting the lions
faU The position President Cleveland as
s,,vres fs nreposteroils- No American cItl-
zan would for a moment dream IF admit
tfoe sts soun5ness ia an analogous case IN
y.bfrb the honor and interests of America
vra~a rorrerued. There can be out one an
sr.a~ We decline 20 humi-iate ourselves,
"a Ne refuse 10 accept the decision OF
y,-ssriug4o7 city l1 matters altogether
,,,,. ~ ffz frris1ict.on-' The reTna .nder %
- Standards article is an echo ~ Lord
ss,tssh,irs--s argument. and it concludes BY
s.t4-g. Great Britain viii reject the de-
- as Indignantly as congress would y
,-ee-f~s v~ere asked 20 submit Der title 70
1fsska % the Judgment of partial UNI
pires.
THE CHIN ESE N TACOMA.