The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1896-02-12

shAlhlaGNOig htAteAlfhts.
Sir William Vernon Harcourt said he
rejoiced at the paragraph in the queens
speech with regard to Venezuela. as IL
held out the hope that The question could
be settled al an early date He added
that no words which could impede such
a settlement would fall from him. This
was greeted with loud cheers. as IL dis
poses OF the report that the liberal lead
ers had determined 10 make an attack
upon the gove, nments policy In regard TO
Venezuela.
Continuing, Sir William said misunder-
standings both In England and In the
United States existed, and had caused
rutIled feelings on both sides The idea
that Great Britain disputed the question
Of the Monroe doctrine was nothing new
or extraordinary. Monroism. he asserted,
was not q principle OF International law.
but one OF national policy, to which
Americans have a traditional and pas
slonate attachment. and II was the same
doctrine by virtue OF which Great Brit
ain had interfered with various states
where her interests were affected. Cir
William Harcourt also said:
Il am IN entire agreement with Lord
Salisbury when he says the United State
has perfect right 90 interpose in any
controversy by which It's own interests
are affected" r.
Sir William. speaking further OF Ven.
ezuela. said: Il should have Thought that
before Secretary Olney was answered. all
materials would have been ready to lay
before the United States and the world al
large. We did not desire 10 claim any
territory to which We are not clearly en-
titled. and the question is. what is that
territory? II is the business Of diplomats
TO come 10 a reasonable settlement in
such matter. Diplomacy has had this
matter in hand for hall a century, and a
mighty bad hand IL has made Of II, In
my opinion. IL Is not credltable thai a
question OF this character should have
been allowed TO tester until Il has broken
open into a dangerous sore. to breed bad
blood between two great nations. II is
the FIRST duty of the government to take
measures without delay to heal this sore
loud cheers.)
What the country demands. without
distinction OF party. is that the dispute
should be brought TO an honorable solu-
tion promptly. (Cheers)
THE question must be settled on the
evidence; and what objection can be
raised to the arbitrament OF third par
ty?"
Continuing. Sir William described Lord
Salisbury's speech on the subject OF
Armenia as 'an unparalleled confession
of diplomatic insolvency and national inn
potency"
Passing TO other topics OF his speech,
Sir William expressed confidence that the
house would support the necessary in
gra s.,
speech by saying;
Il am glad TO find that the government
has not contemplated return 10 pro-
lection and tampering with the curren-
cy."
Hon. a. ], Balfour. first lord of the
treasury, and conservative leader in the
house, was loudly cheered when he arose
TO reply to the liberal leader. He said:
''Sir William Harcourt has devoted
much time to attacking views which the
government had never held. Neither I
nor my friends ever said that the Monroe
doctrine was one to which we had
right TO object. II is of British origin,
and | do not see any reasons why we
should criticise it,
The American commissioners ION the
Venezuelan question: have applied to us
TO aid them with any information we
have ON the Venezuelan question, and
we have promised to give them all the
information we are able TO give at the
earliest possible moment. (Cheers.)
But one conclusion l am certain will
be reached by every one who impartial
ly investigates; he will be convinced that
there has been never the slightest inten-
tion on the part of this country to vio-
late the substance or essence of the Mon
roe doctrine"