The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-11-11
A GREAT RESPONSIBILITY.
Has the United States Assumed a
Protecaorate Over This Continent.

WASHINGTON, Nov II, lS96.-consid-
cradle surprise is manifest in diplomatic
and official circles that the United States
and not Venezuela is the party of the
first part to the arbitration arrangement
with Great Britain. 1t had been supposed
that the sole function of this country was
that of mediator and that notwithstand-
III the forcible tone of President CIeye-
lands message to Congress last Christmas
venezuela was not to be succeeded as
principal by this country The attitude in
winch the United States is now placed, it
Is. claimed, partakes largely of the position
OF a protector of the weaker sister repub-
lies Of the continents. This. in the opinion
OF many skillful diplomats, imposes a
Whar similar 10 that which English
statesmen have repeatedly endeayored to
fasten upon the United States Government
since the days Of Canning.
frequent allusion has been made in the
past few years. notably when the Mos
quito complication was at it's height as
well as in the early acute stages of our
active intervention in the Guianan con-
troversy, to the effort inaugurated by
Canning. when the Monroe doctrine was
being formulated to hold the United
States responsible for all the incidents
inseparable from its assumed guardian
ship OF territory in Central and South
America and it was explicitly stated
even within the past two years in diplo-
matte correspondence with Great Britain
that the United States could not under
take such responsibilities.
1t was this position that led England
TO proceed directly TO collect her smart
money from Nicaragua by seizing
CoFinto.
1t is apparent that under the terms of
the agreement Lord Salisbury and Secre-
tary Olney have made, Venezuela cannot
resist the decree of arbitration, however
adverse TO her extreme contentious il may
he nj Star rac 10 IN
that the award is enforced BY this pro-
posed Venezuelan treaty it is conceded
that a new page of American history has
been rurned.
ticipated that some time must elapse be-
fore its consummation, or in any event
before its decision. Nothing is thought
more likely than that Justice Brewer, the
President of the Commission to draw
the true divisional line, will be an Ameri-
can member of the tribunal and that one
associated with him, Either Justice Al
vey, President Gilman. DR. White or Mr.
Coudert. an OF whom are thoroughly ia
miliar with the established historical.
geographical and political facts of the
boundary controversy, is exceptionally
qualified to represent this country. The
idea that the continued labors of the
Venezuelan Commission will be per-
manently interrupted by the unders tanding
reached, is erroneous. Immense masses
of evidence have been collected by the
COMMISSION. 1lS WOTk OIL the COmQ1lS-
sion up to this time has been confined
exclusively to the reception and arrange
rnent of facts. No effort has yet been
made to reach decision. Their efforts
have been directed altogether TO classi-
flying and arranging the data for final
consideration. These labors are to CON
tinue uninterruptedly unless the Presi-
dent directs its cessation. Not q word of
the negotiations or their accomplishment
has yet reached the Commission. Their
statement Of yesterday was based on
what appeared in the press regarding
Lord Salisbury's speech and the circum-
by the Comm iS5ieners today their efforts
are not by any means suspended, but will
be redoubled in order to complete the evil
dence as soon as possible SO as TO be in
position to reach and announce a decision
at any time should the project for arbitra-
ton from any cause fall through.
The United States having taken the
matter entirely into its own hands and
mindful of the responsibilities involved
viii undoubtedly spare no effort to gain a
decisive victory. To this end parsimony
ton before the arbitral body. The most
eminent counsel obtainable Will necessar-
lily be retained. Fortunately the Executive
force of the Commission which under
Secretary Mslet-Prevost has developed so
much evidence hitherto overlooked by
either continuent, Will be available as well
as such experts as Prof. Burr Among
the counsel likely of selection will be
James j. Storrow of Boston, now leading
the advantage of Secretary Olney's per-
sonal assistance and continued friendship
which has existed since they were boys
at Harvard