The record-union., 1896-11-30
THERE WAS a SURRENDER.

The London News" thinks that in
the submission of the Venezuelan ques-
ton to arbitration as the result of the
interference of the United States, no es-
sential principle was surrendered by
Great Britain, and adds that all Mr..
Olney can really claim is that he sue
ceeded in bringing England TO arbitra-
ton, while Lord Salisbury can claim
that he has succeeded in protecting the
rights Of British settlers.
Of course we Should not begrudge the
English such crumbs of comfort as they
can get out of the sftnation, but the
world will never forget that at the out
set, and for nearly two years English
diplomats, the Cabinet and the press
hotly contended that there could be no
arbitra ton because there was nothing
to arbitrate, while the sole contention
of the United States was that there was
an issue to arbitrate, in which we had
an interest, and that while We did not
abate one jot our claim that no foreign
monarchicaI power can levy upon a
State of either Of THE American CONT
nents, in a way to involve extension of
foreign territory on either of those con-
tinents, still we would guarantee that
Venezuela should submit to arbitration.
That then was our contention, and
that We have fully won. AS natural
consequence it carries the whole issue
before the board, though it is not at all
likely that the question Of the Monroe
doctrine will now be taken up by the
board to be named, because that has, by
out 1t is very true that Lord Salisbury
has succeeded in protecting the rights
of English settlers in Venezuela whose
titles have been gained by prescription,
or by concession, or long undisturbed
occupancy. But it cannot be shown that
the United States has ever contemplated
that innocent parties should be visited
with punishment in such cases, at least
without being fully compensated for
dispossession.
Diametrically opposed to this opinion
of the News that no principle has
been surrendered, we have the express
sion Of the 'fSt James Gazette" of Lon
don, to the effect that the submission to
arbitration under the treaty providing
for that mode of settling the trouble, is
a fiat and direct admission and sur
render Of an essential principle by Eng
land. The Gazette" says:
Lord Salisbury's great admission Of
the principle that the United States have
the right to intervene in frontier dis
putes Of the American powers. and to
compel the disputants to arbitrate, alto
gether transcends in importance the
question of the Guiana boundary 1t is
formal recognition of the hegemony
of the United States on the American
continent, and gives the President po-
sition in the New World which the me-
dieval Popes and Emperors tried vainly
to claim in Europe.
1t IS very important tnat this maUteT
be fully understood now by all the peo-
pie, English as well as American, name
ly, that the English Government has
fully and unquestionably conceded our
right to interfere in disputes between
European and American Governments,
TO prevent any taking through war, or
other form of coercion, Of any further
American territory under monarchical
rule If that is not settled now, then
the whole American Nation is laboring
under singular delusion.