New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-19
TINE FOR DIPLOMATIC DISCRETION.


There is a marked likeness of attitude between
the United States and Great Britain regarding
the Venezuela case. Each Nation honestly be
lcves itself to be in the right. Each is earnestly
DESTROYS of a prompt, peaceful and equitable
settlement. Each, moreover, has cause TO find
fault with its own Government for some impor-
tant details Of its conduct. We have no doubt
that the mass Of the British people are ready TO
give Lord Salisbury loyal support in his further
conduct of negotiations. But we are just as
confident that they regret the haste and some
what truculent spirit with which he last year
refused to consider the question OF arbitration
back Of the Schomburgk line. They see clearly
that in thus repudiating his predecessors agree
ment he violated one Of the cardinal principles
Of British foreign policy and put himself on in
defensible ground. from which he IS now com
PEELED to retreat. So the mass of the American
people responded cordially TO the general prn-
ciflc of Mr.. Cleveland's belated policy, and are
now steadfast in their support Of it. Yet they
deeply regret that he Numbered into the wrong
way Of doing a right thing, and would be glad
to forget the superfuity of harshness and paucity
of logic which marked his utterance of last De-
cember.
Ii will be we'll if the parallel between the two
Nations be carried further. On Monday some
ill-advised members of the Radical and Irish
parties attempted to discuss the question In
Parliament with the unconccaled object OF cri'i-
cising, and # possible, Of embarrassing, the Gov
ernment. Against this Mr.. Balfour, the Govern
ment leader protested. He minated that diplo-
matte negotiations We're in progress for a settle
ment Of the case, the success OF which would
be rendered more difficult, If not mperilled, by
such discussion. The reasonable force OF this
protest was at once recognized by Sir William
Harcourt and even by Mr.. Laboucbcre, and
they with the Speakers timely aid. contrived 10
silence their contentious followers and TO shut
off the proposed debate That was the part OF
wisdom Ii was a recognition Of the principle
that-just as amid arms the laws are silent-in
the midst OF diplomatic negotiations the voice
Of faction should be hushcd. The ncgotlators
should have free hands. and not be embarrassed
by untimely questions and criticisms and by the
prcIndices which public discussion might arouse.
When nation commits its cause TO its accredit-
ed counsel it should give full trust and credit TO
them, rescrving its approval or disapproval OF
their work until such time as the work IS done
and report Of it presented.
The Venezuela case has been pretty well
thrashel out in public IN this country. Nothing
Is to be gained by further discussion Of it at
the present time. For better or for worse. the
Presidents Commission has been appointed, and
is pursuing It's work with diligence. AT the same
time there Is reason 10 believe that the State
Department Is entering upon such negotiations
with the British Government as should have been
undertaken long ago. In these circumstances
both patriotism and profit dictate that there shall
be no disturbance of that work and those nego-
tlations The court Of last resort Is always with
the people and their representatives. For the
present let the accredited agents Of the Govern
ment pursue their task without interruption and
without embarrassment SO will they be most
likely to bring it to a satisfactory conclusion.