New-York tribune., 1896-01-03
D. G. GILMAN.
FREDERIC X. COCDERT.


Commission would determine what further steps
>sere required 10 ascertain the facts. 1t mlgnt
he that Venezuela and England would be asked
10 present their respective cases. Certainly III
a question ef this character there would be de-
sire for the fullest information from all aNallaDle
sources When this documentary evidence was
all in hand the question might then arise as 10
the sdesira blity of verifying certain features OF
ii by personal Inspection Of the originals oi the
documents in the archives Of Spain. Holland or
other countries This would involve a trip
abroad and there was the possibility that IT
might become desirable personally TO view the
locality of contention along the Guiana-N enez-
uela line. Justice Brewer illustrated this by re-
ferring some of the boundary contests over
Mexican land grants, number Of which have
been decided by. him including the Maxwell land
grant
The Justice says that he has not given a
thought 10 the executive staff Of the Commission.
and as yet no names have been suggested Tnor-
oughly competent transatOrs both in Spanish
and Dutch. will be required to examine the origi-
nails Of the old Spanish and Dutch grants on
which the respective claims are based. Tne JUS
ice does not feel that the appearance OF his name
at the head OF the list. as announced makes any
suggestion that he VIII initiate the work OF the
body as the Commission itself may select lts
chairman.
MR. GILMAN AND THE MONROE DOCTRINE.
Daniel c. Gilman devotes brief chapter in
his Life Of President Monroe" 70 the Monroe
Doctrine. The chapter IS intended. apparently
more to show the great growth Of this doctrine
with Monroe than To opinions the subject by
the author He quotes the passages from the
message of December. 1928 relating to foreign
interference with affairs in the Western
Hemisphere, and also gives extracts from the
writings of Governor J'ownall and Of jefferson.
Madison, Washington. John Adams and others
in support Of a staterrent made by himself 10
the effect that while this doctrine IAN idea
dimly entertained at first. it was steadily de-
veloped by the course of public events and the
reflection of those in public Nfe." Mr. Gilman
takes issue with Charles sumner on the
assertion that the Monroe Doctrine orig
mated with Canning but quotes the diary
the important parts Of the message of
1923 were written 10y John quincy Adams. Very
little" says MIR. Gilman, abas come under my
eye Ia illustrate the workings OF Monroe's mind
or to show how ii came to passs that he uttered
In such tcrse sentences the general opinion of
his countrymen He adds that notwithstand-
ing Mr.. Monroe was not particularly sklful
with his pen, "he alone. Of all the Presidents.
has announced without legislative sanction. a
political dictum which is still regarded as
fundamental law and bears With it the stamp
of authority in foreign courts as well as in do
mestic councils -
Mr. Gilman also says Of this doctrine that "it
is commonly regarded as an epitome Of the
principles OF the United States with respect 10
the development of American States" II thcse
expressions be adds the following: 1T ap-
pears to me probable that Monroe Rad but very
little conception of the lasting effect which his
words would produce. lie spoke What ne De-
Ilcved and what he knew that others believed;
te smoke under prOvocation and aware that his
views might be cOntroVcrted; ne spoke with au-
tbority after consultation with his Cabinet and
his words were timely: but do not suppose
mat he regarded this announcement as his own.
Indeed If IL had been his own decree or ukaf>n,
IL would have been resented at home as Wig
orously as il would have been opposed abroad.
II was because he pronounced not only the OpiD-
ion then prevalent, but a tradition Of other days
which had been gradually expanded and to
yyhic no
carried with them the sanction of public law"
WILL ENGLAND REcOGNHE IT?
The or ,bable attitude Of the English Govern
n,ent toward the Commission evokes the Keencs'
curiosity. While il Is the prevailing opinion that
IL Will embrace the opportunity t. state It's side
Of the case. without agreeing 10 be b, und by the
findings Il Is not believed that this can be done
without considerable delay. II is understood that
although the English officials have accumulated