Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-12-18

ssh Guiana. II this contention were once
allowed. every European power WITH a
South American colony might
EXTEND ITS POSSESSIONS
Indefinitely while other powers might
do the same by first procuring a Yolun-
tary cess,0n of a small tract OF SOIL IL
IS not admitted and therefore cannot
be assumed. that Great Britain IS in Iact
usurp.ng dominion over Nenezuelan
soil. While Venezuela charges sucn
usurpc-i0n. Great Britain denies IL ana
the United States. until the merits are
authOri-ativelv ascer,a.n5d can take
sides with neither bur it may demand
that the truth shall be ascert1inel
Being entitled 20 resent and res-st any
seQues-rat.0n Of Venezuelan SOIL o.!
Great Britain. il is necessarily enlJ-7I
10 know whether such seQUestratICn mas
occurred or Is now going on
There IS bur one possible mode or de-
termining The merits Of the question.
and that Is pe8ceable arbitration. Great
Britain admits that there IS con-ro-
versv which should be adjusted by ar
bitration. but nulNlos his admission
by her ins.stance tha, The subm. Ss.on
shall cover but a part OF The controversy.
IF &c were 90 p0in, 70 a boundary which
both parties either expressly or tae-tly
had ever agreed %. the demand that the
territory wi-hin that Ere should be eX-
cludad fom the dispute migh- rest upon
a reasonable basis. but there IS no sucl
line. Great Britain has shown i'm var
i0uS Instances that she was willing 70
arbira-e her political and sovereign
rights when the Interests or territory
involved were Of controlling magnitude:
thus. she arbir9-ei the extent Of her
colonial posses iOns with the United
States -wice with Portugal once with
Germany and perhaps In other ins,an
ces.
THE SECRETARY QUOTES
from one Of these arbiuaJions in the
past 10 sustain his assertion that che
British demand for recognition Of her
right TO O portion of the disputed ter
r.tory before arbitration, seems 10 stand
upon nothing bu- her own .pse diXiL
She SAYS comments Mr.. Osney) 20 Ven
eZuela substance.
You can gel none Of the deba-able
land by force because YOU are not strong
enough: YOU can ger none by treaty
because I VIII nc- agree; and you can
take your chance by getting q portion
by arbitration only if YOU first agree
-0 abandon 90 mo srICh other portions
as I may designate"
Tais attitude IS not characteristic
WITH English love Of justice and fair
play. it places VeleZuell under vital
duress. the territory acquired would be
as much Wres-ed bv the s-rong hand as
If occupied by British troops.
Tn these circumstances the duty Of
the President appears 20 him UDmlsta-
ably and imperative. Great Britain S
assertion of title 20 the disputed ter
rirory combined with her refusal 20
nave that title investigated being d sub
s-8nual appropriation Of the territory
no her own use nO- 10 protest and give
warning that The TRANSACTION VIII be re-
garded as injurious to- the interests OF
the people Of the United States, rs well
IS oppressive i'm itself would be 10 lg-
more an established policy with which
the honor and welfare Of this country
are closely identified While the meas
ures necessary or proper for the v,nt-ca-
ton Of that policy are TO be determined
by another branch Of The government
i- IS clearly for the executive 10 ieave
nothing undone which may tend to rea-
der such dc zrmi1ac.on unnecessary.
Nr. Bayard Is directed 10 read the
communication 90 Lord Salisbury, and
ask a definite decision regarding arb.-
-radon. The President hopes that the
conclusion. viii be on the side eli arbi-
tration. but r he is disappointed "A re-
suit not to be anticipated and IN his
iudgmen. calculated 10 greatly embar-
-qss The future relations between this
country and Great Britain he wishes
10 De acquainted with the fact at such
early date as VIII enable him 20 lay
the whole subject before Congress, n
his next annual message.