The Madisonian. (Virginia City, Mont.) 1873-1915, 1896-01-11
British Premier Must Not Un-
dereetimate Public Feeling
in America.
Are Anxious for Arbitration
and Will Fight for 1t if
! Necessary.
England Mistaken in Viewing
the Message as a Politi-
cal Scheme.

ANAO, VIII - uOW Al VNSAAAlStOA. eCAAOS
the following important dispatch:
II am now at length able to speak
with confidence Of opinion in the high
est American quarters. The only con.
dition on which the mel whom l spe-
cially desired to see would speak has
been my personal pledge not even by a
hint to betray their names, therefore l
can only give you my word that l AM
President Cleveland's message to con-
gress has done several things good and
evil. First, it has destroyed every
chance of saving the Armenians. Sec
ond, it has given a strong impetus to-
wards closer ties between Great Britain
and her colonies. Third, it has enor-
mously emphasized the line of cleavage
always existing, but discreetly ignored.
between East and West i'll the United
States. The West today regards the
East as
Practically a European Annex,
and New York bankers as allies of the
''money sharks OF Europe. Fourth, it
AAGAS l IL 4 " ~
great American navy which the next
generation will be almost irresistibly
tempted to use for aggression. Fifth,
and most important, it has, unless fool
ish words or unforeseen events bar its
natural consequence, paved the way for
better future relations, because Ameri-
cans having experience Of the conse-
quence will cease their ignorant denun-
Citations, and the Englishmen will learn
to show much greater respect to Ameri-
can national opinion, knowing that
force is behind it, and will, therefore,
refrain from provoking it by utterances
and acts of yelled contempt. Finally,
the message has rendered possible the
avoidance Of a far vaster danger,
namely, the question of the Nicaragua
canal.
America VIII Fight for Arbitration.
II can affirm positively that the
American government is above every
thing anxious for arbitration. What
ever may be it's actual result, the inten-
ton Of President Cleveland's message
was amicable. The close encourage of
the president scouts the idea that it was
not a message of peace. But behind it
has sprung up a national sentiment
which it would be utter madness on
the part Of the English people to disse-
gard or underestimate. The Monroe
doctrine is not worth discussing. All
the learned pamphlets, the professors
opinions and the newspaper discussions
Of it are labor lost. The fact is, that if
NQunYnn12 HnQo NOT cO,on 1-itE;,, thn
four corners of the Monroe doctrine,
then the new doctrine-thev Olney doc
trine-covers it, and American opinion
overwhelmingly favors its general prin-
ciples. Moreover, America demands
arbitration as a sacred right, and for
this she will fight if needful.
Message Not a Political Move.
II am astounded at the depth and
character of American feeling on this
question. Men, experienced, staid,
elderly, conservative, many holding
judicial pos .tions of or at responsible
1ty, frankly declare their uncompromis7.
ing support of this American doctrine.
And while it is. clear. that President
Cleveland was too clever and too de-
voted to his own party not to see that
his message would deal a. knockout
blow to the two groups of his political
enemies, Republicans and free silver
men, still, no greater mistake would be
possible than for England to regard the
message as a mere party maneuver. If
this latter view gains acceptance the
consequences of the mistake may be
awful. When reflect on the possibil.
ity Of this and know what l know of
American opinion, l am profoundly de.
pressed. Arbitration is demanded ly
every consideration dearest to civilized
mankind