The record-union., 1896-01-08

Attftude-she VIII Also Speak With
Practically One Voice in support of
the Cabinet on the Question at
Issue.
LONDON, Jan. 8.-The Chronicles
Washington correspondent cables as
follows:
There is heroic way Of settling the
whole dispute fraught with honor to
both Governments, and with results OF
priceless worth to both peoples. The
present delay consists in the fact that
the United States Government consid-
ers itself in honor bound TO insist upon
q certain course which the British Gov
ernment considers itself in honor bound
tc refuse to adopt. Every day spent
here has convinced me more strongly
that it is impossible to exaggerate the
seriousness of such an international
situation. If the British public is mis-
led by the optimistic sentiments OF
New York, it may find itself suddenly
face to face with appalling danger.
If the American Government acts
only in the belief because Great Brit
ain is threatened with European
crisis, therefore she viii knuckle down
to any terms, it may suddenly discover
that the European crisis has blown
over and that war with England is on
its hands. 1 once more repeat my
solemn conviction that the overwhelm-
ing majority of the Americans will sup
port their Government in war on behalf
of the principle of arbitration where
American interests are believed to be
4 fo ] n1Xy
reassert that the President and Cabinet
earnestly desire an amicable settlement,
and Individual members of the Admin
istration confess that they utterly fail
TO comprehend the reason for England 5
attitude for mere blunt refusal.
Now the kernel of the dispute being
the principle of arbitration the solution
may be found therein also. If Lord
Salisbury will say that, although he
must maintain his refusal to arbitrate
on Venezuela by itself, he is prepared to
conclude treaty with the United
States under which all questions failing
of diplomatic settlement shall be sub
mitted to arbitration, and this, of
course, would include Venezuela, as the
greater includes the lesser, the Ameri-
can Government, I know, will receive
this communication with warm sympa-
thy. Herein is d dignified and, indeed,
the most simple and friendly escape
from the deadlock. Remember that a
resolution to this effect was adopted by
Congress on April 4, 1890, and re-
spOnded to by a resolution by the House
of Commons, supported by Mr.. Glad
stone, on June 10, 1898. A second joint
resolution Of Congress was introduced
in the Senate by Senator Allison on
June 20 1894, and referred to the Com
mittee on Foreign Relations, where it
still remains.
Two things block the way The first
is that if any arbitration treaty was
ever under discussion it was laid aside
when Congress. by refusing those $425,-
600, temporarily inyalidated the Paris
Behring Sea Commission award But,
as I have already cabled, a treaty is
partly concluded to which America,
Canada and the British ambassador in
Washington have all assented, placing
this matter in a direct way of settle
ment. 1 observe that the statement is
to-day cabled from London that this
treaty is blocked by Canada's refusal.
The statement is entirely baseless Can
ada has formally and finally agreed. 1t
only awaits the assent of the Foreign
Office for this treaty to become opera
tive. reassert that there is both sur
prise and regret felt here at the delay.
1t is urgently desirable that this treaty
be pressed forward. As soon as this is
done, the first difficulty will have been
removed.
THE second difficulty is the English
feeling that any action taken now
would appear to be due to American
threats. In reply to this, it is quite GER
tain that neither President Cleveland
nor Mr.. Olney consider themselves to
be threatening England. They only de-
sired after years of fruitless diplomatic
discussion to make the attitude of their
own country clear beyond the chance of
further misunderstanding If Lord
Salisbury has any doubts upon this
point, an inquiry through the regular
diplomatic channels, Mr. Bayard or Sir
Julian Pauncefote, viii. am convinced,
dispel the notion that the American
Government deliberately assumed a
menacilg attitude. Moreover, if Lord
Salisbury is aggrieved by the express
sions of the American Government, the
American Government considers itself
aggrieved by Lord Salisbury's tone and
his virtual poohpooing a doctrine which
they had formerly declared they re-
garded as vital to the national welfare.
Therefore, the sentiments balance each
other, and there is every ground for
mutual agreement and assurance that
no Offense was intended.
These two are the only things in
the path leading to a grand recognition
before the whole world Of the principles
of arbitration between civilized nations.
The British public are ready; am con-
fi6ent that the American people are
equally ready. and know that the
American Government is ready. This
being so, what blocks the way to an
almost immediate removal of Venezuela
from the field Of international discus
sion and the complete restoration of
cordial relations between the two peO-
pies, who, while only too ready to fight
for principle, are even reader to agree
on a civilized settlement henceforth and
forever? If Lord Salisbury is able TO
move automatically in the direction
indicated, it is certain that the meeting
Of the Venezuelan Commission would
lle instantly adjourned until the time
was ripe for common discussion of the
question when the treaty should be-
come law.
Il win only add if it were my last
word, it would be a lamentabIe mistake
for England to believe that there is any
division of opinion worth considering
in this country. Washington. far from
New York, is the pulse Of the United
states, and have been feeling that
pulse for a week, and I assert. despite