The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-02-12


in complete reconciliation and firm
friendship between Great Britain and
her kindred across the Atlantic
Sir William Vernon Harcourt said no
words that could impede such settle
ment would fall from him. This re-
mark was greeted with loud cheers, as
1t disposes Of the report that the liberal
leaders had determined to make an at
tack upon the government policy in re-
gard to Venezuela. Continuing. Sir
William Vernon Harcourt said: Il am
in agreement with Lord Salisbury when
he says the United States have a per-
feet right to interpose in any contro-
versy by which their interests are af-
fected, and that they are entitled 10
judge whether their interests are
affected and in what measure they
shall be sustained. That is the general
doctrine upon which all states act.
Upon this is founded the balance OF
power and upon that ground Great
Britain has interposed in Belgium.
Greece. Turkey and many other places.
The Monroe doctrine is not an extern
sion of this principle; it is a limitation
of what other states claim TO exercise
everywhere. The United States have
not made any pronouncement upon
this question but have appointed
commission to inform their judgments
upon the subject.
How can the United States cooperate
with us unless they have information
which viii enable them to cooperate in
settling the boundary? What the coun-
try demands. without distinction Of
party, is that the dispute should be
brought to honorable solution prompt
ly. (Cheers) The people of Great Bri-
| tain and the United States have al
ready settled important questions by
arbitration, and ii cannot be admitted
| that this question is beyond the reach
| of arbitration" Sir William Vernon
Harcourt concluded his speech by say
| ing: Il am glad to find that the gov
| ernment has not contemplated a re-
| turn to protection or tampering with
the currency"
| Hon. A. j. Balfour first lord of the
treasury and conservative leader of the
| house, was loudly cheerd when he
! arose to reply TO the liberal leader. He
| said: Sir William Vernon Harcourt
| has devoted much time to attacking
views which the government had never
| held. Neither l nor my friends ever
| said that the Monroe doctrine was one
to which we had a right to object. 1t
is of British origin. and ] do not sec
! any reasons why we should criticise it,
| The American commissioners ION the
| Venezuelan boundary have applied to
! us to aid them with any information
| we have on the present question, and
we have promised to give them all the
/ information we are able to give, at 'he
earliest possible moment. (Cheers.) No
| false pride or diplomatic punctillo will
be allowed to stand i'm the way of settle
ment, as far Is we are concerned. But
there are duties requiring diplomatic
| enforcement. We owe a duty to our
children, our colonies and those occu-
| pying them; and this country would
not deserve to retain the confidence OF
| the colonies unless we convinced them
we were ready and willing TO defend
| them. and in a case In which we are
| right we should not abandon them
| (Cheers.)
1T is impossible to foresee with GER
| tainty what will be the general conciu-
| sion arrived at by the American com
| mission, or by those called upon TO in.
| vestigate the British claim. But one
| conclusion / am certain will be reached
by every one who impartially investi
| gates he will be convinced that there
has never been the slightest intention
on the part Of this country to violate
the substance or the essence Of the
Monroe doctrine"