The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-02-12
Not Disputed by the Leading States
men of Great Britain.
THE PRINCIPAL OF ARBITRATION
Recognized by Liberals and
Conservatives Alike.

warmly cheered as he took his seat. Sir
William Vernon Harcourt, the Liberal
leader, was loudly cheered by the mem
bers OF the opposition.
After the new members of parliament
had been sworn in, the ministers an
nounced the various bills to be introduced
In accordance with the announcement
contained In the queens speech. The no.
tioe of the proposed increase in the
strength OF the navy was chcered.
Speaker Gully then read the queens
speech, after which the address In reply TO
the speech was moved.
Mr.. Harcourt said he was rejoiced at the
paragraph In the queens speech with re-
gard to Venezuela, as it held out the hope
that the question could be settled at an
early date. He added that no words that
could impede such a settlement would fall
from him. This remark disposes of the
report that the Liberal leaders had deter
mined TO make an attack upon the govern
ment's policy In regard to Venezuela,
which course necessarily would have led
TO an exchange Of warm remarks which
might have iinpeded the progress of settles
ment Of the dispute.
Americas Rights.
Continuing, Mr.. Harcourt said that mis-
understandings both In England and in
the United States existed and had caused
ruffled feelings or both sides. The idea
that America and Great Britain disputed
the question OF Monroeism was nothing
new or extraordinary. Monroeism, he
asserted, was not "A principle OF interna-
tional law, but one of national policy, To
which the Americans have a traditional
and passionate attachment, and it was the
same doctrine by virtue Of which Great
Britain had interfered In various states
when her interests were affected.
Sir William Harcourt also said: II am
In entire agreement with Lord Salisbury
when he says the United States has a per-
feet right TO interpose In any controversy
by which their own interests are affected,
and they are entitled to judge whether
their interests are affected n in what
measure they shall be sustained. That is
a general doctrine upon which all states
act. Upon this is founded the balance OF
power, and upon that ground Great Brit
ain intcrposed In Belgium, Greece,
Turkey and many other places.
81 regret the delay in the publication
of the English case. should have thought
that before Secretary Olney was answered
all the materials would rave been ready
90 lay before the United States and the
world at large. We do not desire TO claim
any territory 20 which we are not clearly
entitled TO, and the question Is what Is
that territory?
1T Is the business Of the diplomats TO
conie TO a reasonable settlement in such n
matter. Diplomacy has had this matter
I'm hand for half a century, and n mighty
bad hand 1t has made of Ii, in my opinion.
1t Is not credltable that n question OF this
character should nave been allowed to
tester until IL has broken open into n
dangerous sore TO breed bad blood between
W great nations. 1t Is the first duty Of
the government TO take measures, with
out delay, to heal the sore.
"The people of Great Britain and the
United States Of America have already
settled important questions by arbitra-
ton, and IL cannot be admitted that this
question is beyond the reach Of arbitra-
ton. The government does not reject ar
bitration, and the only question left Is the
Limitation OF the boundary. There is a
general desire that justice should DO done"
Praise For Chamberlain.
Referring TO the Transyaal, Mr.. Har-
court complimented Mr.. Chamberlain for
his skillful conduct OF the affair. and said
that he thought history had blu few ex-
nmples Of such moderation as had been
displayed by President Kruger under cir
cumstances of unparalleled provocation.
Turning to Armenia, he said hat 10 say
that the reference to this subject In the
queens speech is disappointing and to-
tally unworthy OF the subject will repre-
sent the feeling OF the country. Continu-
ing, he remarked: "These crimes are mat
ters for our special concern, as we are par
ties to the guarantee of the powers. The
whole point of the treaty of Berlin Is That
there was "a covenant upon the part OF the
sultan to carry out reforms, and a guaran-
teo upon the part OF the powers of Europe
TO see that these reforms were effected.
Under the Cyprus convention. Great
Britain specially covenants to defend
Turkey In Asia, In return for which
Turkey covenants to protect the Chris
tians in Armenia. The support we have
given Turkey was conditional upon the
covenants which the sultan has foully
broken. Is this to be tho outcome of the
great Anglo-Turkish policy Of 1882"
Mr.. Harcourt described Lord Salisbury's
recent speech on the subject of Armenia
as an unparalleled confession of diplo-
matte insolvency and national impotence"
He concluded his speech by saying: II
am glad TO that the government has
not contemplated TO return to protection
or tampering Will the currency"
Balfour's Say.
A. j. Balfour, first lord OF the treasury
and Conservative leader in the house, was
loudly cheered when he arose 60 reply to
the Liberal leader. He said:
"Sir William Harcourt has devoted
much time to attacking views which the
government has never held. Neither 1
nor my friends ever said that the Monroe
doctrine was one 10 which we had % right
to object. 1t is of British origin, and I do
not see any reason why we shou1d criti.
else it.
"The American commissioners ION the
Venezuelan boundary have applied To us
90 aid them with any Information we have
on the Venezuelan question, and we have
promised 10 give them all the Information
we are able TO give at the earliest possible
moment. No false pride or diplomatic
punctilio will be allowed TO stand In the
way Of a settlement as far rs we are con-
,.wua1