St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-01-02
THE VENEZUELA COMMISSION

NO more important duty has de-
Folved upon Mr.. Cleveland since he
became president of the United States
than the appointment of the commits
sion to report upon the disputed bound
AIRY line between Venezuela and British
Guiana, and none has been more consci-
entlously and satisfactorily performed.
Here as ever the president rises to the
height of opportunity, and he has Sc
lected commission that is absolutely
Tree from reproach on either side of
The Atlantic. 1t is this habit of look
Ing only to duty in great crises that
has given to Mr.. Cleveland his strong
hold upon the people of this country.
and that raises him far above the
ranks of ordinary politicians.
Upon the determinations of this com.
mission may hang the issues of peace
and war between the two greatest ma
lions of the world. 1t is important
ABOVE all other things that it's mem
bers should be men of the highest
tharacter the most unquestioned ac-
quIrements, the greatest fairness. All
Of these requirements are fulfilled nv
the commission as announced If
Great Britain herself could know orr
men of affairs as we know them. she
would be convinced that a body so
constituted cannot render other than a.
talr. decision; that it's findings will be
worthy of acceptance by both parties
to the present dispute. Justice Brew
er, of the supreme court, needs no in
PRODUCTION to the people. The selection
Of member of the highest judicial
body in the nation is in itself a proof
Df our desire to be absolutely fair.
The second member, Judge Alvey, is
lion and not in ability or impartiality.
Mr.. Andrew D. White is already
known to the people of both nations as
man of commanding ability and I'M
the ablest lawyers of the country
whose familiarity with questions of in
ternational law makes his appointment
a particularly happy one. President
Gilman, Of the Johns Hopkins uniyer-
Bity, fills out a commission which it
would not be easy to match in the
high standing of it's members and their
fitness to pass upon the questions SUBJ
mitted to them.
The selection of such men as these
makes the position of the president
lmpregnable. We repeat that the Unit
ed States itself could without shame
submit to the decision of a body such
rs this if appointed by the British
government. With the single excep-
lion of Mr.. Coudert, who may be re-
garded as the advocate of the commits
Zion, these men will go to their duties
with minds unoccupied by proposes.
sion. We believe that if they Ebou1d he
convinced Of the substar.tial Justice ot
Great Britain's clam, they would not
hesitate 10 report to that effect We
BAY Wlt~1out reservation that if they
faIte-.' investigation, find the position
IF the administration well taken, then
this country can afford to stake Its
all upon their decision. For such a
selection Mr.. Cleveland deserves q
heartier tribute of praise than we car
give to him. 1t would have been easy
to name for these responsible posts
mere politicians, who would have
viewed their duty in the light
De an opportunity to advance them.
selves, and who would have been
open to the suspicion of catering tc
public opinion for personal advantage
Not SO with this body Of distinguished
citizens. 1t is unapproachable. It is
Rs Unassailable as board of arbitra.
ton chosen from the representatives
Of other nations. The die may be cast
upon the findings of these men; and
be it peace or war, the United States
may rest assured that neither more no,
less than justice will be done. Of the
many great services that Mr.. Cleye.
land has rendered to his country. there
Is none that approaches the appoint.
ment Of these men, against whom nc
hostile breath of criticism can be raised
with Justice in the new world or the