Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-01-02

Congress. duly approved by the President:
"A bill Oh r. 21I3) making appropriation
ttgate and report on the true divisional
line between the republic of Venezuela and
British Guiana.
BE it enacted, ETC., That the sum of
100000 be, and the same is hereby, appro-
priated for the expenses of a commission.
to be appointed by the President, to inves-
tigate and report upon the true divisional
line between the republic of Venezuela and
British Guiana"
The Presidents Suggestion.
The action of Congress was inspired by
the utterances OF the President in a spe-
cial message in regard to the Venezuela
boundary dispute. The President raised the
point that the action of Great Britain
threatened a violation of the Monroe doc
trine, end consequently was Of .ftal In
terest to this government In reviewing
the correspondence between Great Britain
and the United States on the question of
arbitration, the President stated his con-
illusions in the following words:
THE course to be pursued by this gov
erhment In view of the present condition
does not appear to admit of serious doubt
Having labored faithfully for many years
to induce Great Britain to submit this dis
pute to impartial arbitration, and having
been now finally apprised of her refusal to
do so, nothing remains but to accept the
situation, to recognize it's plain require
ments and deal with it accordingly. Great
Br1tafn's present proposition has never
thus far been regarded admissible by
Venezuela, though any adjustment of the
boundary which that country may deem
for her advantage and may enter into of
her own free will cannot of course be OBJ
jected to by the United States.
assuming, however, that the attitule of
Venezuela will remain unchanged, the dis
pute has reached such a stage as to make
it now incumbent upon the United States
to take measures to determine with suff1-
Gent certainty for its justification what Is
the true divisional line between the repub-
lie of Venezuela and British Guiana The
inquiry to that end should of course be
conducted carefully and lu,iicially, and due
weight should be given to all available
evidence, records and facts in support of
the claims Of both parties.
In order that such an examination
should be prosecuted in thorough and
satisfactory manner, I suggest that the
congress make an adequate APPROXIMATION
Tor the expenses Of a commission TO be az
pointed by the executive, who shall make
the necessary investigation and report upon
the matter with the least possible delay.
When such report is made and accepted it
Will, In my opinion, be the duty of the
=! states to resist hy every means in
us power as W1llful aggression upon its
rights and interests the appropriation by
Great Britain of any lands or the exercise
OF governmental Jurisdiction over any ter
rftory which after Investigation we have
determined of right belongs to Venezuela.
In making these recommendations 1 am
fully alive to the responsibility incurred,
and keenly realize all the consequences
that may follow.
am nevertheless firm in my conviction
that while 1t Is grievous thing to con
template the two great Enslish-apeakiug
peoples OF the world rs being otherwise
than friendly competitors in the onward
march OF civilization, and strenuous and
worthy rivals in all the arts of peace there
Is no calamity which great nation can
invite which equals that which follows n
supine submission to wrong and injustice
ard the consequent loss OF national self
respect and honor beneath which are
and greatness"