The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-01-08
VIEWS OF THE CHRONICLE.
A Leading English Journal Calls Attention
to the Justice Of Americas Claims in
Venezuelan Matter.

London, Jan. 7.-Mr. Henry Norman,
special commissioner of the London
Daily Chronicle cables to his paper from
Washington concerning the Venezuelan
question as follows:
Every day has convinced me more
strongly that it is impossible to exag-
gerate the seriousness of such an in
ternational situation. If the British
public is misled by the optimistic SEN
timents of New York, 1t may find itself
suddenly face to face with an appalling
danger. If the American government
acts only in the belief that because
Great Britain is threatened with an
European crisis therefore she will
knuckle down to an American demand,
1t may suddenly discover that the Eu-
ropean crisis has blown over and that
war with England is on its hands. I
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 prin-
ciple of arbitration where American
interests are believed to be involved,
At the same time / positively assert
that the president and the cabinet ear
nestly desire an amicable settlement,
ana individual members of the admin
istration confess that they utterly fail
to comprehend the reasons for Eng
lands attitude of mere blunt refusal
IN all the government departments here
the situation Is regarded as very serious
despite every effort made on behalf of
peace
Now the Kernel of the dispute being
the principle of arbitration, tfIe soln,
ton may be found therein also. Jf
Lord Salisbury will say that, although
he must maintain his refusal to arbi-
trate on Venezuela by itself, he is pre-
pared to conclude treaty with the
United States under which all questions
failing of diplomat settlement shall be
submitted to arbitration. and ha his, of
course, would include Venezuela, as 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"
Views of the Chronicle.
Commenting on the foregoing dis
patch the Chronicle will tomorrow say.
"The vital and absorbing feature of
the controversy is that America desires
arbitration and we cannot refuse the
request. 1t is slowly, we hope surely,
entering the minds of our statesmen
tudt III oTueI W uO Justice 10 tne Amerl-
can case we must look at the Monroe
Doctrine from the American point OF
view. Lord Salisbury may urge that
the American doctrine is not incorpor-
ated in the code of international law.
The American answer Is. What we call
international law Is merely the Gus
toms observed by European states in
their relations with each other, which
have been determined by the dominant
powers" England has been foremost
as maker of international law. 1t re-
Quires no exceptional gift of perception
to see that the United States aspire to
the same leading role in politics on the
American continent The international
law which is to govern the American
continent is in progress of formation
and we cannot shut our eyes to the fact
that since the United tSates are the
dominant power on that continent they
will not fail to exercise that paramount
influence which is incidental to the
position"