New-York tribune., 1901-03-29
MONROE DOCTRINE UPHELD
ESTABLISHED ON LASTING FOryn,-
TIONS, MIR. CLEVELAND SAYS. BY
THE VENEZU ELAN EPISODE.


Princeton N, J.. March Is (speciaD.-Ex-Presidsr,
Cleveland delivered his second and last lecture -
the Venezuelan boundary dispute in Alexanda~
Hall tonight before an audience somewhat Iarra-
and much more enthusiastic than that Of Iss.
night To-nights lecture was more interesting he
cause it less narration of details and he
cause IL treated more fully OF the part the United
States played IN the settlement of the duestio,
The seniors occupied the horseshoe seats. accord
ing to the college custom with the faculty in tha
other downstairs sea IS Mrs. Cleveland was in tha
audience. Mr.. Cleveland was introduced tonight
by President Patton who has just returned from a
long trip in the West.
The ex-President began his speech by renindinv
the audience that the first appeal from Venezuela
to the United States was made in 1875 in regard IN
the boundary controversy between this South
American Republic and England. He then gave
further details OF the relation of the United States
TO the question. showing the actions of Secretary
Blaine and Minister Lincoln in regard to the
boundary controversy. Mr. Cleveland described
also his action President during his second
term eliminating in Engiand's absolute refusal IN
permit Venezuelas claim TO be tested by arbitra
tion while Venezuela was utterly powerless to re-
sist forctbly England's self-pronounced decree OF
ownership. Continuing. Mr.. Cleveland said:
1t now became plainly apparent that a new stas.
had been reached in the progress of our interve5~
- 9I-t--Oua iiotPcI4lli59 VI q 1eW
months had FASTENED the day when We were chal-
lenged TO take our exact bearings, lest should
he
more direct tone that had been given our dis
patches concerning the dispute, more insistent
reference 10 the subject in the Presidents message
the significant resolution passed by Congress
earnestly recommending arbitration, all pOrtended
a growth of conviction the part of our govern
Inent @ concerning thlS controversy Whlcn srew 10
Great Britain, cOncUrrently with these apprising
incidents repeated direct and positive terms her
refusal to submit to arbitration, except on cond-
ton that portion OF the disputed territory which
the outset be trrevocably conceded 70 England
Touching on the Monroe Doctrine Mr.. Cleveland
said further:
Recreancy to principle so fundamentally Amer
lcan as the Monroe Doctrine on The part OF those
therefore as ali our efforts 70 avoid it's assertion
had miscarried there nothing for us left to
do. consistently with national honor. but TO take
as that was necessary in the vindication Of our
American doctrine; Our mild and aIniable proffe7s
Of good Offices and the hopes We INDUCED that
last they might be the means of securing TO a weak
sister republic justice and peace, and to ourselves
immunity from Steiner lnterpostIon were not suit
ed TO the new emergency In our advanced position
tressed condition Were no longer to be the motive
power Of our conduct. but We're to give way 70 the
duty and obligation 70 protect our own national
Whatever our beliefs or convictions might be- as
the case. and however strongly We might believe
that Great Brttain's pretensions. if allowed; must
result in such European colonization as would vio-
late the Monroe Doctrine. it would nevertheless
have been manifestiy improper and needless on our
part find conclusively against Great Britain be-
fore soliciting her again, and IN new circuStanc
to give us opportunity OF Judging the merits or
her claims through her submission of them TO arbi
tration.
Mr.. Cleveland then traced the last decisive steps
taken ty the United States Government. including
his own message 10 Congress and the support by
Congress Of his suggestion OF a commission on the
subject
The lecture ended with description Of the subss-
quent action of Great Britain in acceding TO arb-
tration as urged by the United States and gave an
account Of the final settlement. which, according
10 Mr. Cleveland. was vastly more favorable to
Venezuela than has generally been supposed He
said that his hearers would very likely be surprised
that this controversy was so long chronic. and
Yet in the end yielded so readily to treatment" He
added:
NV own surprise and disappointment have arisen
more from the honest misunderstanding than tne
part OF many OF our people reSar9lns Ihs LloIts1
and purposes of the interference OF the governments
Of the United States IN this affair. 49,, ..,z
I hope there but few OF our Fellow cltzSns
who, in their TetroSpeCtS. do not now acknoWleGso
the good that has come TO our nation through TINS
episode in our history. II mas estapnSaed tt tho
ewes Of the world; il has given US a better place.
in the respect and consideration OF the people or
all nations, and especially OF Great brl-, ~ tS
rTevaIenCe among our citizens OF dtsintereSted
devotion 20 American honor, and last Cut oS W W
Least. II has taught US WhSfe 70 IVoh ~ 10
ranks OF our countrymen for the pest PATRIOTISM
At the close of the lecture President Patton
thanked Mr.. Cleveland foc his clear calm preseh-
tato of this most important chapter in the history
Of American Diplomacy" and said that Wnl4e M
corld not officially announce the Stanord Lllle Ie
rrer for next wear he induged the hope that ne
would be Mr.. Cleveland. and that Ne NouIu ais" 70
the lecturer for years 70 come