Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-01-13
THE VENEZUELAN QUESTION
Prospect Of Settler ent With Great
Britain Much Brighter.
The United States Has Resisted. All
Propositions From Other Powers
to Join Against England.

| The announcement of the determination
| of the British cabinet to publish the Vene-
zuelan papers and tie editorial statement
| of the London Standard that this country
has occupied q magnarimous attitude to-
ward England while other nations were
| availing themselves of the opportunity to
| insult the English, has excited considera-
| BILE interest and comment in Washington
| political circles. This expression from the
British conservative organ is regarded as
| significant The speculation is chiefly as
| to the meaning of the reference 10 ''the
| ma enanmous attitude of the United
States. This relates to no action of this
country which has been publicly all
| nounced, but several things put together
| lead to an explanation more less in
Senious. While this explanation is given
| as based only on inference, it may, in fact,
| be based on positive information.
The Key to the Situation.
| The resolution offered i'll the Senate the
other day by Mr.. Morgan, extending con-
gratulations to President Kruger, is the
| key to it. 1t is believed that oyertures
were made to this country to join with
| the European powers in giving moral sup
| port to the Transvaal republic in declar-
| iEg entire independence of England. This
course would have secured to the United
States the friendiness of Germany in the
Venezuelan matter. 1t would have been to
| treat England as the common enemy. This
| suggestion, it is believed, was broac he'd in
] some way, and Mr.. Olney declined to take
sides or to associate the question of the
support of the Monroe doctrine with any
! European complication. In other words,
| the United States declined to take advan-
| tage of the unfortunate position of Great
Britain to force her to yield in a marter
which II is desirable should be settled On
! principle and not merely by force of cir
CumstanCes.
| Ii is suggested that Mr. Morgan knew or had
| good reason to believe that this opportunity
| to make common cause against England
| was offered. and that it would not be avail
ed OF by the administration; therefore h-s
proposition that Congress should take the
matter out of the hands of the administra-
ton.
| Prospects of Venezuelan Settlement.
ezuelan question are regarded much
brighter than at any time before.
Several startling situations have been pre-
| seated to the view of the United States dur
| ing the course of this controversy.
! The administration seems to have had
| choice between courses more or less prom
isng of success, which have been avoided
| in order to maintain the absolute ndepen-
denca of this question of any affecting
| European politics.
| First, it was given to understand that
England would recognize and help to up
hold the Monroe doctrine if this government
| would recognize her party at interest,
and practically join with her in a sort of
| protectorate over Central and South Ameri-
| can republics. The alternative to this was
| hostility of Great Britain and a threatened
| ccmbina ton of most of the European pow
ers against us.
| Next came the offer of Russian gold to
| strengthen us in a policy of hostility toward
Great Britain--an offer to join on the other
| side of the European quarrel. Then came
| the Transvaal matter, demonstrating the
isolation of Great Britain, and showing an
| apparent readiness on the part of the pow
| ers of continental Europe to combine
| against England quickly as they would
| with her against the United States This,
! it IS suggested, has been sufficient to con-
! vince both governments that they are equal
| ly out of favor with other powers.
| The Stand of the United States
| The fact that the United States is not dis
| posed join with Englands enemies in
| Europe. but is fully determined to maintain
| the attitude taken toward England as re-
| SpectS this continent, is expected to con-
| vince even so stubborn a man as Lord Sal
! isbury that concessions should be made by
! him.