Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-01-10
Doina Patriotic Service.

There is at least one English newspaper
man who is doing patriotic service both
for his own country and for ours. He is
pointing out and emphasizing the serious
import of the Venezuelan difficulty and
an honorable way to smicablc settlement,
although he evidently prefers to consider
the principal of arbitration rather than the
Monroe doctrine as the issue at stake
On Tuesday be cablcl the following from
Washington. to the London Chronicle:
There is a heroic way of settling the
whole difficulty, fraught witt honor to
both governments, and with results Of
priceless worth to both peoples. The
present delay consists in the fact that the
United States considers itself in honor
bound to insist upon a certain course
which the British government considers
itself in honor bound to refuse to allow
Every day spent here has convinced me
more strongly that it is impossible to
exaggerate the seriousness of such an In
ternational situation. If the British
public is mislead by the optimistic senti-
ment OF New York, 1t may find itself sud
StiiiN lhGS VI ioGc Win III ipSHlilueS
danger
IF the American government acts only
in the belief that because Great Britain is
threatened with a European crisis, there
fore she viii fnuckle down to any Ameri-
can demand, it may suddenly discover
that the European crisis has blown over
aod war with England ia on Its hands.
| once more repeat my solemn conviction
that the overwhelming majority of the
American people will support their gov
ernment in war. on behalf Of the principle
of arbitration, where American Interests
are believed to be involved. At the same
| time | positively reasSert that the Presi-
dent and the cabinet earnestly desire al
amlcabIe settlement. and individuals Of
the administration confess that they fail
to comprehend the reasons FOR England 5
attitude of mere blunt refusal. In all the
government departments here the situa-
| ton is regarded as very serious, despite
every effort made on behalf Of peace.
Now the kernel of the dispute being
the principle of arbitration q solution
may be found therein also IL Lord
| Salisbury will say that although he must
maintain his refusal to arbitrate on Vene-
zuela by itself, he is prepared to conclude
| a treaty with the United States under
which all questions failing of diplomatic
| settlement shall be submitted to arbitra-
tion and that this of course, would in
clude Venezuela, rs the greater includes
| the less, the American government |
know will receive his communication
with warm sympathy. Herein is a
dignifed and, indeed, the most simple
and friendly escape from the deadlock. y
Contrast the above with the words and
| acts of those who either are trying to
belittle the situation or discredit the posi-
ton Of our government. No surer way
Intelligent ard patriotic citizens Of this
country and England earnestly desire,
could be found tina by giving Salisbury
the impression that the people Of this
country are not united in support of what
they believe to be justice and in the hope
that England will recognize that justice
And yet that is just what has been done
| aud is being done not only among some
of the money kings of the great CONNER
| cisl ccutres, but in several of our higher
| Institutions Of learning and in Il few So
called A merican newspapers. This sordid
and bloodless influence would not weigh
an instant against the common patriotic
impulse of this nation but it may afford
British insolcnce false hopes and impress
sions and induce it to cross the danger
| limo