The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-03-06
MISTAKES OF CONGRESS-
Ex-senator Boutwell, Thinks We Arc
MeddlcrS.
NEW ENGLAND FAVOkS PEACE
No Right TO Interfere in Venezuelan
Affairs - Our Own Situation Is
DcplOruble Enough without
Seeking Trouble Abroad.

New York. March 5.-Ex- Senator
George 5. Boutwell,, of Massachusetts,
who was secretary of the treasury un-
der General Grants administration,
was at the Fifth Avenue hotel today.
lie is considered an authority on fin
anctal matters, and he has made a
study of international law. His idea
is that the position taken by this gov
eminent in regard to the Venezuelan
boundary dispute is untenable, and
may lead to complications. He is also
opposed to the recognition of the in
surgents in cuba. A reporter saw the
eX-Secretary and asked him to explain
his position on the Venezuelan dis
pute.
He said that he had written an ar
ticle on the subject and he quoted from
1t as follows: First, no one in this
country has any knowledge of the line
in dispute and therefore we have no
position to take i'm regard to the de-
fense of Venezuela. Then. the COM
mission appointed by the president
might make any one of the three fol-
lowing decisions: First, that Eng
lands claim Is sustained in every par
ticular: second, that the evidence might
be of such a nature that the commits
sion could not reach u satisfactory con-
clusion. and, third, the commission
neither the majority nor minority re-
port would constitute a basis for ac-
tion. Again, the Monroe Doctrine prop
erly Interpreted does not embrace con-
troverSieS over boundary lines or
claims of European governments
against American states for debts due
or injuries committed by such gov
ernment on land or water. The Mon
roe Doctrine Is limited to cases like
h.at .l,..., Lao. -. t...
to subvert the Republic of Mexico and
establish an empire.
president Nonroe's protest of 1923
was limited to the attempt to create
on this continent amy new European
colonial establishment 1t is apparent
that the question of boundary is not
included in this phrase properly inter
preted. Under the Monroe doctrine,
properly interpreted. We stand aloof,
entirely free from the contentious that
from time to time may arise between
the dynastic states OF Europe. But
when. in the course of events. it shall
appear from evidence then existing that
ii Is the purpose of European state to
overthrow the government and subrcrt
the institutions of republic in an
American state, the United States can
then, as to that case and upon the facts
then known, decide what ought to be
DONE
Mr. Boutwell, also maintained that
the Monroe doctrine was no part of the
law of nations. and ought never to be-
come part of the law of nations; that
il is rule for the United States. to he
Interpreted and applied by our own
government, and for the protection Of
our own rights and interests. and that
We should neither ask any other nation
to adopt it nor permit any other nation
10 interpret 1t.
What should this government do in
the case of Cuba" he was asked.
Nothing should be done. We have
no interest in the war there whatever,
and should keep out Of broils. our own
situation here is deplorahe enough. AS
far as New England is concerned. there
is no public interest there or feeling for
or against SDain. We want peace and
would like prosperity if we can get it,"
The ex-secretary is ON his way to
Washington.