The herald., 1896-01-18

the basis of the resolution of Senator Davis
prepared under instructions of the COM
mittee at a meeting held last Saturday.
The terms of the resolution are known only
to members OF the committee. 1t has been
difficult SO to phrase a document as to suit
the ideas of all, or even majority of the
committee. TIE committee adjourned at
40 o'clock, after voting to report the
Davis resolution with few verbal modifi-
cations suggested by the subcommittee. 1t
As understood the resolution will be pre-
sented to the senate Monday.
The resolution drawn by Senator Davis
and adopted by the senate committee on
foreign relations today will prove to be
clear and strong enuncation of the Mon
roe doctrine when it's text is made public.
1t is more forceful declaration than any
that has been introduced in congress on
this subject, and its terms are so explicit
that they cannot be misunderstood. The
maintenance of the Monroe doctrine as set
forth in the resolution is held to be vital
to the welfare of this country and the
countries of the American continent. The
doctrine, it is asserted, is now in force and
has been in force ever since it was estab-
lished by President Monroe. The resolu-
ton declares it TO mean that the acquisi-
ton by purchase, aggression or otherwise
of any territory on the American conti-
nent by foreign power is an unfriendly
act, and such acquisition will not be per-
mitted by the United States. The mo ost
important feature is that which touches
upon new phase of the Venezuelan ques-
tion-the report that England and Venezu-
ella may reach an agreement and that
English money will settle the boundary
dispute. The resolution asserts that
when disputes on the American
continent between foreign governments
and American governments are decided
by arbitration. agreement. purchase or in
any manner whatever, the United States
l,,f fba .t,,1r-a Co. ,tafh +t,<,
Monroe doctrine has been violated in such
arbitration or agreement. In fact 1t means
that resolution or agreement between
foreign governments and governments of
the American continent as to boundary
disputes cannot become binding or effect
i've unless sanctioned by the United States,
and that this government must be satis-
fed that no part of the American conti-
nent has been ceded to a forsign power by
such arbitration or agreement.
This portion of the resolution caused
much apprehension among some members
of the committee, as it is claimed it may
lead to many entanglements. On the
other hand. the supporters of the resolution
say it leaves everything in the hands of the
United States, where the final desision
should be, and that the United states will
interfere only when the Monroe doctrine
has been violated.
The resolution is drawn with view of
covering every possible contingency that
may arise in boundary disputes. or the ac-
quisition, or the sale of territory by one
foreign government to another on the
American continent or islands that are
considered part of the western henis-
phere.
FREE HOME BILL
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1.-THE house COM
mittee on public lands today decided to re-
port the free home bill proposed by Chair
man Lacy of the committee, which Is prac-
tically revival of the old homestead laws.
Under this bill all settlers on Indian lands
that are open to settlement may acquire
title to the land without paying for them,
by tine residence of four years. If they de-
sire to secure their titles before the expira-
ton of five years they will be able to do so
by paying the rates fixed by the govern
ment.