The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-01-25

A WA sHINGToN dispatch January II,
says: The Senate committee on foreign
relations was in session today. The only
question before it was the legislative
affirmation of the Monroe doctrine, and
the discussion proceeded upon the basis
of resolution Senator Davis had pre-
pared under the instructions of the com
mittee at the meeting last Saturday. The
committee adjourned after voting to re-
port the Davis resolution with few YER
bal notifications suggested by the COM
mittee. 1t is understood that the reso-
luton will be presented to the Senate
Monday.
The resolution drawn by Senator Dav-
is will prove to be clear ard strong
enunciation of the Monroe doctrine when
its text is made public. 1t is more
forceful declaration than any that has
been introduced in Congress on this sub
ject, and its terms are so explicit that
they cannot be misunderstood. The
maintenance of the Monroe poctrine as
set forth in the resolution is held to be
vital to the welfare OF this country and
the countries of the American continent.
The doctrine, it is asserted. is now in
force, and has been in force ever since it
was established by President Monroe.
The resolution declares it to mean that
the acquisition, by purchase, aggression.
or otherwise, of any territory on the
American continent by foreign power
is an upfriendly act, and such acquisi
tion will not be permitted by the United
States.
The most important feature is that
which touches upon new phase of the
Venezuelan question, the report that
England and Venezuela may reach an
agreement, and that English money will
settle the boundary dispute. The reso-
luton declares that in case boundary
disputes on the American continent be-
tween foreign governments and Ameri-
can governments are decided by arbi-
tration, agreement, purchase. or in any
manner whatever, the United States
shall be the sole judge as to whether the
Monroe doctrine has been violated in
such arbitration or agreement. In fact.
it means that arbitration or agreement
between foreign governments and gov
ernments on the American continent as
to boundary disputes cannot become
binding or effective unless sanctioned by
the United States, and tn this govern
ment is satisfied that no part of the
American continent has been coded to
a foreign power by such arbitration or
agreement. This practically makes the
United,States the arbitrator between for
eign governmt nts and those of the Amer
lean continent in all boundary disputes.
THIS portion of the resolution is con-
sidered most important and far reaching
in it's effects. 1t caused apprehension
among some members of the committee,
as it is claimed that it may lead to many
entanglements. On the other hand. the
supporters Of The resolution say that it
leaves everything in the hands of the
United States, where the final decision
should be, and that the United States
will interfere only when the Monroe doc
trine has been violated.
The resolution is drawn with view of
covering every possible contingency that
may arise in boundary disputes or the
ACQUISITION or the sale of territory by
one foreign government to another on
the American continent, or islands that
are considered part Of the Western
hemisphere.
The President has again denied the
application for pardon in the case of
William E. Burr. Jr convicted of en-
bezzIing the funds of the st. Louis Ma.
tional Bank. A similar application was
made last August, and was denied be-
ause Burr had not then been tried, and
he present denial is based on the dan
rot such offenses as that of which
he prisoner has confessed himself
guilty.