THE MONROE DOCTRINE 441 



to submit this dispute to impartial arbitration, and having been 

 now finally apprized of her refusal to do so, nothing remains but 

 to accept the situation, to recognize its plain requirements and 

 deal with it accordingly. Great Britain's present proposition 

 has never thus far been regarded as admissible by Venezuela, 

 though any adjustment of the boundary which that country may 

 deem for her advantage and may enter into of her own free will 

 cannot of course be objected to by the United States. 



Assuming, however, that the attitude of Venezuela will remain 

 unchanged, the dispute has reached such a stage as to make it 

 now incumbent upon the United States to take measures to de- 

 termine with sufficient certainty for its justification what is the 

 true divisional line between the Republic of Venezuela and 

 British Guiana. The inquiry to that end should of course be con- 

 ducted carefully and judicially, and due weight should be given 

 to all available evidence, records, and facts in support of the 

 claims of both parties. 



In order that such an examination should be prosecuted in a 

 thorough and satisfactory manner I suggest that the Congress 

 make an adequate appropriation for the expenses of a Commis- 

 sion, to be appointed by the Executive, who shall make the neces- 

 sary investigation and report upon the matter with the least 

 possible delay. When such report is made and accepted it will 

 in my opinion be the duty of the United States to resist by every 

 means in its power, as a wilful aggression upon its rights and in- 

 terests, the appropriation by Great Britain of any lands or the 

 exercise of governmental jurisdiction over any territory which 

 after investigation we have determined of right belongs to Vene- 

 zuela. 



In making these recommendations I am fully alive to the 

 responsibility incurred and keenly realize all the consequences 

 that may follow. 



I am nevertheless firm in my conviction that while it is a 

 grievous thing to contemplate the two great English-speaking 

 peoples of the world as being otherwise than friendly competitors 

 in the onward_majh-pf civilization, and strenuous and worthy 

 rivals in all the arts of peace, there is no calamity which a great 

 nation can invite which-eqTrais that which follows a supine sub- 

 mission to wrong and injustice and the consequent loss of national 

 self-respect and honor, beneath which are shielded and defended 

 a people's safety and greatness. 



After a short controversy Congress provided for the 

 appointment of an American Commission of Jurists to inves- 



