The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-12-16

oShW ohhs 11o SAptuinCo kIidt tuc pdR0Ib b in the Venezuelan matter issued were only a summary. He said that Great Britain had to perform police duty among the nations and had to prevent vens- zuela from breaking the law of nations. The United States took the sensible view that Great Britain's insistence that Ven- ezueia should meet her engagements was not an infraction of the Monroe doctrine.
 NO country has been more anxious than Great Britain" said Lord Cran- borne. 'to assist the American govern ment in maintaining that doctrins.".
 This remark was greeted with cheers. Continuing. the Under Foreign Secretary said 1t was only after Venexueia had been thrice summoned to do right that the British government had been driven to strong measures to secure the safety' liberty and property of British subjects in Venezuela and that in the execution of these measures the government desired to pursue the same course of moderation.
 Lord Cranborne said also that the blockade would be carried out with every regard for the interests of neutrais.
 The Liberal leader. sir HenV Camp bell Bannerman, then voiced - strons dissatisfaction with Lord oTanbornef speech. He complained of the lack Of M formation about the German and British claims. which he said. seemed to be on different footing. The speaker said m this matter Great Britain seemed to be bound hand and foot to Germany.
 We could do nothing in regard to our claims" continued the Liberal leader unless the Germans are perfectly saus- fled with the settlement of their claims Such an agreement is contrary ~ the country's best interest. The noble Lord has said nothing about an important com munication from the United States; there would be universal satisfaction if this communication was of such nature as to lead to a peaceful solution of what after all seems to be . somewhat Squahd difaculty."
 Premier Balfour then spoke. He accused the mover and the seconder of the motion to adjourn of 6 desire to discredit the government and said this was not the way to approach e painful international episode. The Premier declared there was no Justification for the assumption that the government was prepared to go to war for the Venezuelan oondheiders. The crux of the matter was series Of out rages by Venezuela on British seamer and ship owners for which not only had compensation been refused but Great Mrf' tain's remonstrancss had been entirely IL ton and the Premier denisd that the gov ernment had been unduly nasty.
 MT. Balfour declared that in so far as the financial claims were concerned, the Government was prepared to agree to a tribunal to assess them eQuitably. He added also that the United States Gov eFnment had not suggested arbitration. Anglo German interests in Venezuela had been intrusted to the American Min ister at Caracas. MT. Bowen. who. with admirable energy had protected the lives of British and German subjects. The Premier said he understood that 1t was from Venezuela through the United States that the suggestion for arbitration had come.
 Sir William Vernon Harcourt and other members of the House. then criticised the Government for its action and press ed for additional information.
 Timothy M. Healy, Nationalist, warn ed the Government that it was in a peril ous position owing to the state of politi- cal feeling in the United States.
 Premier Balfour said Italy was send. ing warships to Venezuelan waters, but there was no agreement between Italy and Great Britain as there was between Great Britain and Germany.
 Referring to the Anglo-German fleets on the venezuelan coast, the Fromloi said there was no question of seniority as the two fleets were acting along differ ent parts of the coast and independent of each other.
 Mir. schwann's motion was rejected without a division. ..
 The issue of the parliamentary papers has, to a considerable extent but not altogether abated the public impatienct with the government. The grounds o1 Great Britain's complaint against Vene zuela are held to be barely sufficient tt justify the employment of force to ob tain satisfaction. The feeling against thu linking itself to Germany whose claimi are supposed to be purely financial. stil runs high. This strong feeling is ar outcome of apprehension that some i'm pulslve action which Germany might en' danger the existing relations betwoar Great Britain and the United States. IT. this light many newspapers protest most strongly and 1t Is asked what would hap pen should Germany try to defy the Monroe Dostrine and obtain a footing iE South America. In short. all the opposi- tion newspaper as we'll as many Of those in sympathy with the government con- tend that the friendship of the United States Is too precious to be risked eithel for Germany or Venezuela. For thii reason great hopes are entertained that Venezuela's proposal to arbikrate may lead to an amlcable settlement of tho | difficulty.
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