The herald., 1896-01-01
GREAT BRITAIN AS A BULLY
The Comments of M. FIourens, French
Diplomat
The Westminster Gazette is Diligently Seeking
Salvation from Trouble Connected
With Venezuela Hatters

LONDON, Dec. 31.-The Pail Mall Ga
zette this afternoon publis he'd an article
from the pen of NJ. Flourens, formerly
French minister for foreign affairs, upon
the Venezuelan controversy. Comment
ing upon it, the Pail Mall Gazette says:
1--WE wanted to hear what the French
men thought of Secretary Olney's extern
sion of Monroe doctrine, but he scarcely
touches upon tina but improves the occa-
sicn by giving us some hone thrusts. be
accuses us of bullying and breaking faith"
n. Flourens says: "Tne French do not
believe in the probability of war, as both
Britain and the United States are prone to
weigh profit and loss. Moreover, we are
accustomed TO the cool prudence of Eng
land, which will increase in proportion as
the youthful, impe uDusity of the Uni ed
States gives itself free course. Franz % is
far more disposed to accept the Monroe
doctrine than yon in England, but we re-
serve anterior rights and do not agree with
President Cleveland's conception of arbi-
tration. We are great advocates of arhitra-
ton and would gladly see it applied to
all internatio al disputes. Notably we be-
lieve that dlffi ,ulties such as may arise be-
tween the Americ IN republics and Euro
pean states are all of a nature to he settled
by arbitration to the great advantage OF
the parties interested. To this effect we
should like to see permanent tribunal of
arbitration erected. british diplomacy
still retains a violent procedure which IS
out of pl ace in our epnch Unless she b3-
lieves she is face to face with stronger
power than herself, her weapons of discus
sion are u timatuns. This unbrdled m an-
ner does enormous harm to her reputation,
whether it imposes her will on the people
whose eakness oblges them to submit in
hum liation, or whether she gives way, as
she will have to do in the quarrel with
Venezuela, before unforeseen resistance.
Her moral authority was seriou-ly i'm
paired, for instance, by Lord Sali-bnry's
menacing Ia Iguage to the sultan. Euro
pean concert in regard TO the cas- , far east
or America does not exist because no one
wishes to be addressed by Ergland's diplo-
pa ic arrogance or exposed to the danger
of her breaches of faith"
Ihe Westminster g zatte this afternoon,
in q leadiug article healed The Way Out
says: "Wnile the question intrinsic ,lly is
not imp 'rtane, incidentally it is t great
importance that Great Britain cannot re-
treat from The position sne has taken up,
and the United STATES will not retreat from
theirs. The only method of escape from
this deadlock, which shall impose neil her
humiliation nor restraint on either side,
is to fnd something which is not arhitra-
ton, but which is as like it as possible"
The Gazette suggests tn At both countries
agree upon a board of cancellation, not
bind ng themselves, as in case OF arbitra-
ton, to accept it's decisions, but on a
chance of the conciliators being able to
suggest a compromise accep able to both
countries, and IN conclusion remarks: I'VE
firmly believe a couple of impartial. sensi-
BILE men, say the chef Justices of the two
countries, could easily settle the matter by
this method"
COMMERCIAL INTEREST
NEW YORK, Dec. 3l.-At a meeting of
the chamber of commerce on Thursday
next the committee on foreign commerce
will submit report on the Venezuelan
questio and addresses on the subject will
be made by eminent speakers.
PREPARATIONS FOR WAR
NEW YORK, Jan. IA special to the
World from Caracas says:
Active military preparations are going
| on. General Garcia Gomez has been ap.
pointed command the roops org ,niz
| in the federal districts. He has ordered
that all males between | s and 80 who
have been enrolled he drilled nmediatelv.
! A retired officer of the French artillery is
daily insructing the national troops in the
Use of modern guns. Target practice ia
| had overy aftern,u,n