The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-01-03
IT IS A BIG COMMISSION.
COL. TESTERS VIEWS on THE
PRESIDENTS APPOINTMENTS.

The Venezuelan Commission Is
Good One and VIII Command Re-
spect From EngIand-HOw the Lion
Has Been scOOpIng Up the Country
Every Time There Was "A Question
Rnised-EverybOdy Wanted TO Get
in Resolution for the ADDOint-
ment of n COmmission-Dihere
views That Savannahians Take OF
the situation.
The Venezuelan question is still excit-
ing a great deal of discussion in Savan-
nah. The appointment of the commission
to make an investigation as t. the dis
puted boundary line of the territory has
increased the discussion.
The commission, as announced in yes
terdays Morning News, is regarded as
strong one and a diplomatic one. 1t is
looked upon as a commission that is full
" capable of getting the United States
out of trouble, if it is in any, and saw
ing it from back-down, if any such ac-
ton should be necessary.
The general opinion is that the President
has appointed an excellent diplomatic
commission, and has left himself a loop
hole to get out through on the war ques-
ton. The majority of the people, how
ever, are satisfied with the Presidents
war message.
Congressman Rufus L. Lester was ask
ed what he thought of the commission.
Il think it is a prominent commission,
an able one and a diplomatic one" he
said. Each one of the gentlemen APP
pointed has had some experience in ques-
tions of international law. The commits
8 II is
political alliances, and its very compost
ton will make the English government
Col. Lester went on to explain that
England thought she had the right of
the statute of limitations on the territory
in dispute. England has claimed the ter
ritory since 1910, or, that is, portion of
it. A question has been raised with re-
gard to it every few years, and every
time the surveyors that marked out the
line for England run 1t Just little Iur-
Their over toward the Venezuelan terri
tory. 1t cannot be told now what the
commission is going to do. Its action, it
is believed, will depend largely upon what
England had in the beginning.
Col. Lester said President Cleveland S
message met with the approval or both
parties in the halls of congress. They
went wild over it, so to speak. 1t came
in in the afternoon and eX-Speaker Crisp
endeavored to introduce a resolution with
regard to 1T providing for the appointment
of a commission. Representative Hit of
Illinois, however. got in ahead OF him
by making a motion to adjourn which
was carried and the next day he intro
duced his bill on the subject on the OPP
ening of the House of Representatives.
Col. Lester says there was regular
scramble to get in bills on that line, and
the scramble was not confined to one par
ty, but was general one. Everybody
seemed to think the President was on the
right line, and the man that got in the
first bill was considered to have the best
chances in the next election, whatever
he might be running for.
The general opinion in the city with re-
gard to the commission was that the
President had made a careful selection
and one which will not only be respected
by the nation which is endeavoring to
acquire foreign territory; but which will
give fair and honest answer by which
the United States should abide:
Mr.. Daniel c. Gilman, president of
Johns Hopkins University, is the only one
of the commissioners known in the city.
! He visited Savannah about year ago
with Dr. j. l.. NJ. Curry, when the ques-
ton of appropriating a certain amount
from the Slater fund to the colored col
lege of this city was discussed. recep-
ton was rendered them here at which
and met the distinguished educator
There are some, however, who look upon
the movement as jingOiSm, pure and sim
pie. They are inclined to believe that
the duck hunt was responsible for the
warlike message which congress had the
pleasure of hearing and acting on. They
look on Mr.. Cleveland's motives as purely
political, and think that England has
more of right to the territory in dispute
than the United States has to claim that
it is an infraction of the Monroe doctrine.
| The question is being largely discussed
! from a business standpoint on account of
| the fact, that whatever is done will have
some considerable effect on the business
| interests of the United States. as well as
other countries. There is less apprehen-
sion, however, since the appointment of
the commission, for it is thought it will
settle the question automatically, and DO
away with the probability of any unnec-
essary conflict.