The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-01-01
DRILLING THE TROOPS
Venezuela Making Prepare
tiOns for Defense.
TRAINING THE ARTIlIERYMEN
a French Statesman Condemns the
Policy OF Engiaud-A London Paper
suggests a Gompromise-

New York. Jan. IA special 10 the
World from Caracas says. Active military
preparations are going on. Gen Garcia
Gomez has been appointed 10 command the
troops organized IN the federal districts.
He las ordered that all males between IS
and - who have been enrolled be drilled
Immediately.
4 retired officer OF the French artillery
is daily instTucting the national troops IN
the use CT the modern guns. Target pI2c-
tlce Is had every afternoon
London, Dee 31.-The Pail Mall Gazette
this afternoon publishes an article from
the pen OF II. Flourens. formerly French
minister OF foreign affairs. upon the Nene-
zuelan controversy. Commenting upon II.
the Pail Mail Gazette says: We wanted
10 bear what Frenchmen thought o. Sec
rotary Olney's extension Of the Monroe
doctrine, bat ne scarcely touches upon
that. and improves the occasion by giving
US some home truths. He accuses US OF
bullying and breaking faith"
NJ Fiourens says: The French do not
believe in the probability OF war. as both
Great Britain and the United States are
prone 10 weigh profit and loss. Moreover.
We are accustomed 10 the cool prudence
OF England. which Will Increase in proper
tion as the youthful impetuosfty Of the
United States gives itself free course.
France is far more disposed 10 accept the
Monroe doctrine than you in England;
but We reserve anterior rights. sru0 do not
agree with President Clevelands concep-
tlon Of arbitration. We are great advo-
Gates Of arbitration, and would gladly see
il applied 10 all international disputes.
Notably we believe that difficulties such
as may arise between the American re-
publics and European states are all of
nature 10 De- settled by arbitration, TO the
great advantage OF the parties interested.
To this effect we should like TO see per
British diplomacy stiI retains a violent
procedure. which is out OF place in our
epoch. Unless she believes she is face to
face with stronger power than herself.
her weapons of discussion are ultima
tums. This unbridled manner does enor-
nous harm 10 her reputation. whether IL
imposes her will on the people whose
weakness obliges them 10 submit In hu-
initiation, or whether she gives way as
she viii have 10 in the quarrel with Vene-
Zuela, before unforeseen resistance. Her
moral authority was seriously impaired
for instance. by Lord Saisbury's menac-
ing language to the sultan. A European
concert In regard to the East. far East or
America does not exist. because TO one
wishes to be addressed with England's
diplomatic arrogance or exposed TO the
dangers of her breaches of faith
The Westminster Gazette this afternoon,
in a leading article headed THE Way
Out. says W Hllc the question Is IN
trinsically not important. incidentally ii is
Of great Importance. Great Britain can
not retreat from the position which she
has taken. and the United States will not
retreat from theirs. A method Of escape
from this deadlock which shall impose
neither humiliation nor retreat on either
side Is 10 find something which is not ar
birtation but which is as like it as possi-
BILE" The Westminster Gazette suggests
that both countries agree upon board
OF Cancellation, not binding themselves
cisions. but on the chance of the concilia-
tors being able 10 suggest a compromise
acceptable 10 both countries. In conclu-
sion. the Westminster Gazette remarks:
I'VE firmly believe CoUply of impartial.
sensible men. say the chief justices of the
two countries. could easily settle the mat
ter by this method"
The afternoon papers all regard the ut
terances Of Senator Sherman on President
Cleveland's message TO congress on the
Venezuelan question as a plain warning
that the danger has not yet passed. The
stock exchange opened duh and inactive.
hut later the tone of the market improved.
Two firms invilyed in American securities
were declared defaulters today on the
Liverpool stock exchange.
New York. Dec. 3l--At meeting OF the
Chamber OF Commerce on Thursday next
the committee on foreign commerce will
submit report on the Venezuelan ques-
ton. and addresses on the subject VIII be
made by eminent speakers.