The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-14

which has done SO much to bring about
better understanding between this Gov
ernment and the British Foreign Office.
II have no hesitation in saying the
Americans have the best case in the Ven
ezuelan question" said Mr.. Norman to
Mail and Express reporter. before | left
London to undertake this inquiry it was
manifest that the British people had no
expectation of war. They could not un-
oerstand the full force OF American pur-
pose to assert ana maintain the Monroe
uoctrlne, but they could understand that
Lord Salisbury had declined to arbitrate
an international question, and that was
an extent they were not prepared to fol-
low him. The notion of war between
the two great English-speaking nations to
grow out Of a question offering ample scope
Tor arbitration was regarded as unthink-
able by nearly every Englishman with
whom talked before sailing.
MY hrst impression after my early in
qulr1es IN this country was the stern de-
termination of the American people to
sustain President Cleveland in his asser-
ton of the Monroe doctrine l was not
liable to mistake this feeling, for one of the
most useful inspirations of my life was
that which led me to select Harvard Uni
versity for my alma mater. In my four
years there, and since | required an ac-
quaintance with Americans and American
thought and purpose, that has often been
highly useful and important in my work.
After study of the American contention
in the Venezuelan question the conclusion
was irresistible that it was right and that
England was wrong. The facts and data
upon which the judgment were founded
were readily placed at my disposal.
After my investigating work was over l
had occasion to see many American
statesmen with the view of obtaining their
signed opinions upon the general question
of arbitration. l had the merest casual
acquaintance with just one Senator, but the
kindly and hearty way in which eminent
Americans at the Capitol received me was
exceedingly gratifying. They, without
exception, approved of the results of my
work and of the correctness Of my view of
the situation.
''Now, as to the newer ENHANCEMENT
which has superseded the Venezuelan
matter in popular interest, it is important
to note the difference in the way it has
been received by the British people. War,
based upon the refusal to arbitrate, did
not raise patriotism to any appreciable
extent. The threat of foreign power to
interfere with the treaty rights of the
imperial Government aroused the British
people to stern purpose to defend material
interests at all hazards. The Government
this time is right, and the people are
unanimous in their determination to up
hold it.
"The act of Germany in asking Portugal
to permit the landing of German troops at
Delagoa Bay, with view to encouraging
the Beers to declare their independence,
comes very near to being an act of war. If
they had obtained permission and acted
upon it, war must Immediately have re-
suited. The tension of the situation, then,
is very strained, and war may yet result 1t
is inconceivable that any encouragement
should have gone out to DIR. Jameson mis-
guided enterprise from England, although
he may have had encouragement in South
Africa. Still the British Government is IN
no way implicated, although it may be
called upon to pay indemnity.
iS"What l wish to mark is the distinction
between the way the two principal events
were received by Englishmen. The Ven
ezuelan imbroglio scarcely stirred their
patriotic impulses, while the South African
complications have aroused the nation to
the most vigorous and determined asser-
ton of national honor and power"