The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-02-18
OUGHT TO ARBITRATE
That Is the Feeling in the
House Of Commons
ON THE VENEZUELAN QUESTION
Ba1fonr Asks Liberals Not to Hamper
the Government. and Does Not OBJ
sect to Talk of Arbitration.

London. Feb. I7-In the house OF coEf-
mons today. during the debate on tire sd-
dress IN reply 10 the queens speech. Ath-
eriy Jones. Liberal member for the north
@sst division Of Durham. moved the fol-
lowing amendment. And while We are
glad 10 hear that her uaajesty's relations
with tbs foreign powers continue 70 De
friendly. we dspioTe that her majesty s
speech does not contain an assurance that
All matters of difference between this
country and the republic of Venezuela in
relation 10 the deliInitation of the frontier
OF that state and British Guiana shall be
referred 10 arbitration. in accordance with
the request OF the government of the
United States.
In moving the amendment Atheriy Jones
said he thought the government should be
grateful for the opportunity 10 ascertain
the opinion OF the house OF commons upon
the policy II ought TO pursue. Ia accept
ing the amendment IN that spirit. he con-
tiaue1. II would only be following The ex-
ample Of President Cleveland, who asked
the opinion OF congress upon the measure
submitted to Great Britain. Mr.. Jones
then asked the house 10 act in the spirit
OF the resolution already adopted. that all
disputes and differences between Great
Britain and the United States should be
settled by arbitration. faiSng ia any other
mode. While the speaker had a high re-
gard for the Marquis or Salisbury. he in
sisted that the question involved such ire
mend0us issues that ne believed he was
expressing the views OF everybody Of DEM
ocratic tendencies when he said they would
not be Justified i'm leaving them in the
hands of two or three men, however able
they might be. The speaker also submit
ted that arbitration of the present dispute
was most in consonance with the honor.
dignity and permanent interests Of Great
Britain. II Was quite admitted that Great
Britain had the right to- resent interfer-
cnce Upon the part of a foreign state when
such Interference savores OF menace bat
re denied that this character attached to
the course taken by the United States
Jones said that since 1871 England had
seven times changed the line marking the
limit OF her claim In the face Of these
facts now could Il be contended by Great
Britain that the Schomburgk line was out
side the pale of arbitration?
Having expressed dissatisfaction at Lord
Granyille's treatment of the question In
is>i. he protested against the assumption
that the action OF the United States gov
eminent MAS only an election dodge We
ought not 10 judge the action OF the gov
eminent. the speaker continued, by Pres
ident Cleveland and Secretary Oiney's
dispatches. but by the friendly representa-
lions received subsequently,
\. j. Baifour. first lord Of the treasury
anu government reader, tben arose to re-
ply, and said he desired TO appeal to the
house that in his opinion a continuation
of the debate would make an honorable
arrangement of the matter of greater diff
Guilty. He trusted that the house would
not take a premature opportunity of dis
eussing the policy which had baen pur-
sued or which ought 10 be pursued
John Dillon. anti-parnellite thought that
the American people ought 10 know that
intense feeling existed IA the house of
commons against any attempt to bring on
a war on this question. The conduct OF
the American government, he said. had
been most patient and fair. IL was only
after years delay and shuffilng on the
part OF Great Britain. followed by an in
suliing dispatch from Lord Salisbury that
the president had sent his Dispatch 1t
ought TO be understood In America that
Lord Sallsbury's dispatch did not represent
the feelings of England or Ireland.
Sir William Vernon Harcourt. the Liberal
leader in the house OF commons, said Attn
erly Jones amendment had been moved in
the interest of arbitration. but IL was
couChed in the form which would censlre
The government, and ii division were
taken upon IL there would be a great ma
1ority against IL and II would 20 forth To
America and 10 the world that the house
of commons had pronounced against arbi-
tratfon. He believed great majority In
IN favor OF arbitration on A proper basis.
and the main object should be how best to
give expression 10 this feeling He de-
Pl0red the use OF exasperating language
Nothing would he more injurious and un-
true. he said. than to say that the nresi-
dents message was an election dodge
The United States had been pressing the
question for settlement for ten years in
the most conciliatory manner. We should
all endeaVor on both sides to remove the
sources Of irritation and secure a speedy
settlement. lie vas strongly impressed
ne continued. with the evils and dangers OF
some delay in coming TO an agreement He
would be glad 10 know from the govern
ment the cause OF delay i'm presenting the
British ease. II was desirable that the
public on both sides Of the Atlantic should
he Informed ON this. in order 10 reconcile
the differences between us.
Many differences had already been re-
moved. Instead Of resenting, Ne should
now welcome the cooperation of me
United States. SO far as the question of
arbitration went. all We're agreed that II
was al impossibility Ia the present cir
cnTnstanees 10 lay down fixed boundary.
He also agreed with Secretary Olnev that
the arbitration should embrace the valid
ity Of the associated proscnptiye titles by
occupation
Sir William Vernon concluded as fol-
Suce between the two governments are in
significant Nothing is - dangerous as 10
loSve disputes 81 this kind n the ignorant
prejnjices Of the people. no Do not un-
derslaud The question. / venture 10 suE-
Eest 90 Mr. Jones. after the statement the
government has made. il would he useless
"a pursue his motion 60 a division which
would entirely misrepreSeuE the feeling OF
the house, beside doing infinite injury IN
Anaefiea / see no manner Of settling this
question except 70 encourage support ef
the government IN "A course which. II fai
lowed, vii most speedily aad successfully
lead % 9 Rood understanding between
h+nsiana ard the United States tCheersD
AiHerjy Jones then withdrew his amend
nent John Dillon objected 60 the with
afa~al. and an alteration wIth tse
speaker eusucj. but the latter refused b,
uphold the objection
Ambassador Bayars sad am interview
ms afternoon ~ita che Marquis ~ sails
pafF OBJ iae subject ~ tle Venezuelan
tcle!ary dispute.
THREATS OF \ CR DFTo