New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-06-20
DEMOCRATIC DIPLOMACY
The Contrast Between Clevelands Down
right Courage and the Present lnachon.

L
Sir. One of the most remarkable episodes
in the entire history Of our diplomatic rcla-
tons with foreign nations is the controversy
with Great Britain over the Venezuela boun-
Diary and Mr. Cleveands message to Congress
in regard to il in 1895. II offers an interest
ING contrast to the manner and method OF
our diplomacy Of the last two years and
there never was doubt as to its success and
the results it achieved.
The whole matter turned upon the long
standing controversy over the boundary De-
tween Venezuela and the British colony OF
Guiana. Great Britain insisted upon line
which ran so far TO the westward that II In
cluded 10000 square miles of territory that
Venezuela claimed as rightfully part OF her
own domain. Venezuela suggested TO Great
Britain that the matter should be aroitrated'
and when her offer was met with dlsdainfui
refusal she repeatedly appealed to the United
States for aid. the grst time being IN 1875.
Grant. Cleveland and Harrison made hints or
direct requests 10 the London government
that the matter should be properly settled,
/ hut with no result Venezuela continued to
urge that she was dcfencelcss against Great
Britain and that her sole hope Of justice de-
pended upon the active support of the United
States.
During his second administration Mr..
Cleveland again took up the matter and de-
oided 10 press the issue to n settlement. He
believed that if Great Britain succeeded IN
gaining territory which rightfully belonged
TO Venezuela it would be in direct contrayen-
| ton Of the Monroe Doctrine. BY this doc
trine" we assert and maintain the policy that,
although the already existing colonies of va
rious nations may not be interfered with, yet
the ACQUISITION Of new colonies or extension
of territory by any European power vii. not
be permitted To sum up, it is an assertion
of the principle of America for the Ameri-
cans" Mr. Cleveland also believed that IT
was the right or duty of the United States, as
n corollary of the Monroe Doctrine, to sup
! port Latin-American state in repelling any
unfriendly act on the part of these same Eu-
ropean powers. Therefore he concluded that
| the controversy should be investigated, and
| # IL were found that Great Britain was try
ng wroncfully to take territory that be
longed to Venezuela IL was an added reason
Tor our Intervention in behalf of the South
American country.
Mr.. Cleveland first tried diplomacy and his
| VI
position in a dispatch to the British govern
ment during July. 1895. Lord Salisbury re-
| piled at his leisure some months later. He
maintained that the Monroe Doctrine
only a past historical fact and denied the
American contention. Mr.. Cleveland now met
the issue with great ygor. He was not
diplomat, but he was not man TO be trifed
with. Hitherto the negotiations had taken
place in private. but he decided 20 appeal
20 public opinion IN the United States. On
December Il. 1895, he sent 10 an astonished
Congress message couched in such vigorous
terms that il heard with awe and in ST.
cnce At its close there was great applause.
u had a corresponding effect upon opinion in
the United States at large, and finally also in
Great Britain when il was better understood
Mr.. Cleveland stated in this message that
The dispute had reached such a stage that the
United States compelled under the Mon
roe Doctrine TO take measures TO ascertain
what was the true boundary between British
Guiana and Venezuela. He therefore sug-
gested the authorization of an American COM
mission to determine the boundary and that
It's findings be enforced at all costs. In clos
ing he used the following words, which de-
serve to be taken to heart by all serious and
thoughtful citizens of the United States to-
dav: There is no calamity which a great ma
ton car invite which equals that which fol-
lows supine submission to wrong and in
Justice and the consequent loss OF national
,elf-respect and honor, beneath which are
shielded and defended a peoples safety and
greatness"
Within three days both the Senate and
House of Representatives passed by unani-
nous vote bill which created the desired
! boundary commission. The whole country
rallied to Mr. Cleveland when it perceived
the strong Americansm which was at the
bottom Of his appeal for national self-respect.
| In spite of early resentment at the brusque
mes age, which had the tone Of an ultimatum.
bubble opinion in Great Britain gradually be-
gan to appreciate the merits Of the whole
controversy, and with the true British sense
Of fairness or good Sportsmanshp" demand
ed that Lord Salisbuf, and his Cabinet meet
| the issue fairly. The final result was arb-
! traton and the settlement Of all the points
at issue.
! Mr. Cleveland was not essentially great
man or great statesman. but, as Mr.. Taft
has said. he was a great President. II was
the downright courage. honesty and energy
Of the man that caused him to 20 straight to
| the heart OF the issue in the Venezuela con-
trovcrsy and win his ultimate success. II is
true that trained and accomplished diplo-
| mat probably would nave won the same VIC
tory hy more skilful means and without need
iessly arousng the antagonism or wounding
| he feelings Of the English people; but, fortu
nately. we were dealing with a nation which
could appreciate the Justice Of our cause and
! the honesty of our position. Otherwise the
sense OF irritation might have led TO hasty
action and resulted in a breaking off of rela-
tons and possible conflict.
Il is interesting to speculate upon the for
eign relations of the United States during tho
last eighteen months and to wonder what
would have been the results had Mr.. Cleye-
land been President Is it probable that at
the present time, more than year after l42
American citizens were murdered on the Lu-
sitana our people would be in danger of the
loss Of national self-respect and honor
through "supine submission to wrong and
Injustice? WILLIAM STARR MYERS
! Princeton, y. j.. May 90. 1916.