The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-16
DEBATE IN THE COMMONS.
Premier BnlfOur Speaks of IA ''PninfuI
international Episode"

LONDON, Dec. 15-The House was
crowded this evening when the Venezuelan
matter came up for debate. Henry White.
the American charge daffaires, had seat
in the diplomatic gallery.
Mr.. Schwann after having expressed sur
price that the government was so anxious
for another war after South Africa, COM
planned of the paucity of the information
concerning the Venezuelan situation which
has been given to Parliament. He said he
hoped arbitration would be accepted, be-
cause, although President Roosevelt is anx-
ious TO act correctly, the situation is full
OF danger and the Presidents hand might
be forced by politicians
Lord Cranburne spoke after Mr.. Schwann.
He approached this member with a desire
to discredit the government and explained
that the papers in the Venezuelan matter
were very voluminous and that those is
sued to-day We're only a summary He
sald mat Great. Britain had TO perform
police duty among the nations and had to
prevent Venezuela from breaking the law
OF nations. The United States took the
sensible view that Great Britain's insist
ence that Venezuela should meet her en-
gagements was not infraction on the
Monroe doctrine. mo country has been
more anxious than Great Britain" said
Lord Cranborne, Ito assist the American
government in maintaining that doctrine.
This remark was greeted with cheers. Con-
tinuing. the under foreign secretary said
the British government had displayed great
forebe2rance, and that il was only after
Venez afla had been thrice summoned to do
right that the government had been driven
10 strong measures to secure the SAFETY,
liberty and property of the British sub
JectS In Venezuela, and that in the execu-
ton of these measures the government de-
sired 10 pursue the same course of modera-
ton. Lord Cranborne said also that the
blockade would be carried out with every
regard for the interests of neutrals
The Liberal leader. Sir Henry Campbell
Bannerman, then voiced his strong dis
satisfaction with Lord Cranborne's speech.
He complained of the lack of information
about the German and British claims.
which, he said, seemed to be on different
footing. The speaker said he was an advo-
cate of the best possible feeling between
the two countries, but that in this matter
| Great Britain seemed to be bound hand
and foot TO Germany. I'VE could do MOTH
ing with regard TO our claims; continued ed
/ perfectly satisfied with the settlement OF
| their claims. Such an agreement Is con-
| trary to the country's best interests The
| noble lord has said nothing about an I'M
| portant communication received from the
| United States; there would be universal
! satisfaction II this communication was OF
such a nature. as TO lead to a peaceful
solution of what after all seems TO be a
| somewhat squalid difficulty
| Premier Balfour then spoke. He accused
to adjourn of desire to discredit the gov
| eminent, and said this was not the way
| to approach a painful International cpl
Justification for the assumption that the
| government was prepared to go TO war Tor
the Venezuelan bondholders. The crux OF
| the matter was a series of outrages by
| Venezuelans on British seamen and ship
owners. for which not only had compensa-
ton been refused, but Great Britain's re-
| monstrances had been entirely disregarded.
1t was an intolerable situation, and the
premier denied that the government had
been unduly hasty. Sir Henry Campbell
Bannerman appeared TO desire to coop
crate with Germany on his own peculiar
terms, but few allies would be prepared to
act on such a basis.
Mr.. Balfour declared that in so far as the
financial claims were concerned the gov
| eminent was prepared to agree 10 trib-
unal TO assess them equitably. He added
| also that the United States government
! had not suggested arbitration. Anglo-Ger-
| man interests in Venezuela had been in
| trusted to the American minister at Carac-
as, Mr.. Bowen. who. with admirable en-
ergy, had protected the lives of British and
| German subjects. The premier said he un-
derstood that it was from Venezuela.
| through the United States, that the sug-
| gestion for arbitration had come. On that
point he would only say 1T was unfortunate
| that Venezuela should not have thought of
the advantages of arbitration during the
long period covered by these controversies,
| but that, en- the contrary, she should have
refused all explanation or apology until
actually engaged in hostilities; then this
self TO the minds of the Venezueans The
premier said he would say nothing for or
against this idea. and repeated that 1t had
| not come from the government of the
United States
Sir William Vernon Harcourt and other
| members of the House then criticised the
government for its action. and pressed for
| additional information.
Timothy NJ. Healy, Nationalist, declared
| that the Irish vote in America had driven
the British government into humiliating
! alliance with Germany, and warned the
government that ii was in perious posi-
ton. owing to the state of political feeling
| in the United States.
Replying, Premier Balfour said Italy was
| sending warships to Venezuelan waters
but that there no agreement between
| Italy and Great Britain as there was be-
| tween Great Britain and Germany. Refer
| ring to the Anglo-German fleets on the
| Venezuelan coast, the premier said there
was no question to sovereignty, as the
two fleets were acting along different parts
of the coast and independently of each
other.
Mr.. Schwann's motion was rejected with
out division.