The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-02-09
They viii IuSSt Upon a aSlatement Of The
Policy Regarding Venezuela.
ROOEDERY IN AN AWKWARD POSITION
Lord Balfour's Invitation to Russia 70 Sc
cure a Pacific Port, n Great Surprise.
Some Complications Growing Out
of the Triple Alliance.


Venezuelan dispute had been opened.
Nothing can be said relative to the pre-
else fern me Liberals criticism of the
Government will assume until the lead
ers OF the Opposition get time TO scan the
Queens speech opening the session OF
Parliament, which will be read on Tues
day night.
1t is said that the speech will contain
an assurance. vaguely put, TO the effect
that the Government has under con-
sideration proposals that offer prospect
of ~ peaceful solution Of the dispute. IL
a more definite ministerial statement cam
not be obtained than that, an amend
ment TO the address I'm reply to the
Queens speech. distinctly affirming that
arbitration ought TO be accepted by Great
Britain, Will be moved by Sir William
Vernon Harcourt, the Liberal leader of
the House Of Commons.
MUST NOT DRIFT FURTHER.
No meeting of the leaders of the Liberal
party will be held untll Monday, but
to-day several influential members OF
the party i'm the House of Commons met
ex-Prime Minister Rosehery. with view
to discussing the general line OF action 20
be followed. The party is solid In its
determination not to allow the difficult
ty with the United States anent the
British Guiana boundary dispute 20 drift
further.
10 viii not submit TO rebuffs by the
Ministers. pretending that there is neces-
sty for reticencc, nor will II accept eX-
cuses based upon the habituai dilatori-
ness Of the Foreign Office.
As many OF the Unionists are strongly
in favor OF there being no delay in the
arbitration Of the question the Liberals
will have strong ground for insisting
upon explicit and candid official cxplana
tions OF the present situation, and the
policy OF the Government.
The Conservatives assert that Lord
Rosobcrv will find himself I'm an awk-
ward position H. assaiing Prime Minister
Salisbury as documents in the Foreign
Office prove that when Lord Rosebery
held the office OF Secretary Of State for
Foreign Affairs. from 1899 10 1894 I'm
which latter year he succeeded Mr.. Glad
stone as Prime Minister. he refused TO
accept arbitration.
SUPPORTS VENEZUELA'S CLAIM.
The papers which have given promi-
nence TO the views Of Mr. Markham, he
holding thai Venezuela inherts no claim
10 any part OF the so-called British
Guiana. aud The views of other persons
supporting the British contention. have
not noticed a remarkable statement
made by Sir David Chalmers. who spoke
before the Edinburgh Geographical So
cicty. He was Chief Justice or British
Guiana from lS1S to 1884. and has special
knowledge of the country.
lie deliberately affirmed that out OF the
1900 square miles, supposed to form Bril-
tsh Guiana's widest territorial claim,
Venezuela can claim two-thIrds with
absolute honesty.
lie would not say that these two-thrds
belonged to Venezuela, but would only
state that the territory could be claimed
by Venezuela on grounds strong enough
to be submitted TO arbitration. justified In
private life, or submitted to a court OF
justice.
In the direction Of fostering an en-
tente with Russia. Lord Salisbury VIII
assent TO the acquisition by Russia OF
a harbor in Kyan-Chan bay. which opens
into the Yellow sea from the east coast
OF the Shan-Tung PromOntory. under
the guise OF leasing the place as a naval
depot from China fer twenty years.
BALFOURS SURPRISE.
Mr.. BaIfour. the first lord of the Treas
ury, in his speech at Bristol on Monday
night last, surprised the country by in
wiling Russia to secure port on the
Pacific. The acquisition Of such a port
by Russia has heretofore always been
strongly opposed by Great Britain. on
the ground that its possession by the
former vii lbc 4 menace to her interests
in the far East. Advices from Shanghai
are 90 the effect that several Russian
warships are already wintering in Ryan
Chan bay, and this is believed 20 partly
explain Mr.. Balfour's invitation. Ii is
believed that the entente Will include
Great Britain's assent 80 Russia securing
another port far 10 the southwark of
Nladivostock. her port In Siberia. which
will be free Of ice and adapted to form
a commercial outlet during all the year
According to the speaker. the port, while
strengthening the defences of the Oar
daneies, will purposeiy leave the Bos-
phorus open for a Russian feet may ap-
pear Off Constantnople within three
weeks to protect the Sultan against a
rising.
serious effort has been initiated by
Italy, supported by Austria. TO restore the
friendship between Great Britain and
Germany, which was greatly strained by
Emperor Williams message to President
Kruger. Of the South African Republic.
The Emperor has obtained the active
1NppDfl Di the queen, buA uVto HOl Sftfu
to be countenancod by Lord Salisbury.
THE TRIPLE ALLIANCE.
Instructions are being sent to Berlin,
in which was pointed out the danger 10
the Triple Alliance arising from the
breach between Germany and Great Bril-
tain, especially as regards a possible
entente between the latter country and
Russia. II Is also understood that Signor
Crispi made special representations 10
Lord Salisbury on the continuance OF the
Anglo-Itaiian agreement for naval co.
operation In the Mediterranean I'm the
event Of developments in the Fast II the
British view OF these negotiations Is
accurate, Be;n has shown a readiness
to respond 70 the desires OF her allies,
and wOnld cease her hostile policy TO-
wards Great Britain. but so FAR as the
latter Is concerned the die is east. The
entente with Russia has gone TOO far
Unless the German Goyernmen. renounceS
its South African schemes. supports Great
Britain in Egypt and generally reverses
its recent line OF diplomatic enmity, 10
return of cordiallty IN the Anslo-German
relations Will be possible.
English court Influences. 70 which Lord
Salisbury t. especially amenabls. may
modify the strain. The Queens decision
as regards her review Of the flying sqi;sd-
ron shows how this influence will operate.
She sssents 10 merely the watching OF
the squadron from a window OF the os-
borne house. and declines TO give the re-
view the appearance Of a State Formally.
The reason for This is known The Court