Kansas City daily journal., 1896-12-19
PRODUCE THE DOCUMENTS, MIR
OLNEN.

The somewhat infiammatory language
used by Senator Roger Q. Mills the other
day in reference to the agreement made by
Secretary Olney with England for the arbi-
tration of the Venezuelan boundary ques-
ton appears to have some justification be-
hind It. The hot headed Texan declares
that from start TO finish the whole affair
is a stain upon American honor and a blot
upon the glorious doctrine of self-preser-
walton upon which we profess TO stand"
and in conclusion announces that Il for
one will uphold the Monroe doctrine TO the
extent of my power as long as ! draw
breath. and if it does not apply TO En-
glands endcayoring to obtain Iirmer
foothold in Venezuela. ! don't know that it
can be applied to anything"
a few weeks ago the American people
hridlcd with pride over the announcement
that England had recognized the right Of
this country to interfere in the Venezuelan
matter and had consented 10 arbitrate the
question OF boundary after the manner
FIRST suggested by this government. That
we were hasty in taking much pride TO
ourselves is becoming more apparent as
the details of Secretary Olney's arrange
ment with the British government come
slowly to light. In fact. it begins TO look
as if the secretary had consented to an ar
bitratiOn OF the Monroe doctrine rather
than the question of England's rights in
Venezuela. for the understanding of the
agreement which is reported as held by
the Englishmen Is Il virtual abandonment
on our part OF the real principle for which
we were contending.
II is impossible 10 tell just what Secre-
tary OIney has agreed to with Lord Sails
bury. because the correspondence between
the two has been kept secret. but from the
English end we receive information which
s. nothing short OF dlscreditable TO the
state department at Washington. Lord
Salisbury indicates that under his agree
ment with the secretary America is 10 rec
Ognize the right of England 10 all those
portions OF Venezuela which have been
''settled" by British subjects for more than
period OF fifty years. IN other words.
England is to have the right OF sovereignty
over the districts where English have lived
Tor fifty years. In his letter of last July
Mr.. Oluey indicated that the United States
would Concede the right OF England to
those districts of which the British govern
for more than ffty years, but this is far
different from conceding the right of En-
gland over territory in which English sub
5ects have resided for that length Of time.
Which one of these propositions is included
in the agreement the two ministers have
Eigned is stiu an open question, but, il
Salisbury is right in his Interpretation. the
words of Senator Mills are amply justified.
1t seems to us that this agreement which
Secretary olney has signed is in effect and
importance a treaty, and that being the
case congress is clearly entitled TO be in
formed of its provisions Treaties are
made 'by and with the consent OF the
senate and that body should demand OF
President Cleveland and Secretary Olney
the full correspondence which has been
had with Lord Salisbury. II the admins
fration has consented TO the preposterous
doctrine that the British flag is entitled to
float over si1 or any territory which hap
pens 10 be made a place of abode by Brit
aSh subjects. 1t is due the American people