Question: "Resolved, That President Cleveland's Venezuela message is wise and statesmanlike."

Brief for the Affirmative.M. G. SEELIG and C. R. WILSON.

Best general references: President's Message, Congressional Record, p. 239, Dec. 17, 1895. Hitt's and Boutelle's Speeches in House of Representatives, Cong. Record, p. 249, Dec. 15. 1895. Senator Lodge's Speech in the Senate. Cong. Record, p. 360, Dec. 30, 1895. Public Opinion XIX, No. 26, Dec. 26, 1895. F. Wharton's Digest of International Law, S 57. New York Times, Dec. 18 and 19, 1895. New York Tribune, Dec. 18 and 19, 1895. Review of Reviews, Jan. and Feb., 1896. Am Hist. Leaflets No. 4. N. a. Review, Feb., '96. Forum, Feb. '96.

I. It is to the interests of the United States to prevent acquisition of territory in South America by European powers.- (1) Such acquisition would constitute a danger in time of war.- (a) Establishment of coaling stations and occupation of positions of strategic importance would be a menace.- (2) "Entangling alliances" would necessarily result.- (3) Interest in the Nicaragua Canal should be maintained.- (4) Principal rather than the amount of acquisition is dangerous.

II. A peremptory message was justifiable.- (1) Affairs demanded an immediate and firm stand on the part of the United States.- (a) England, with no authority but a disputed claim, was on the point of occupation: H. C. Lodge in Cong. Record, Dec. 30, 1895, p. 360.- (b) England had refused to arbitrate.- (2) It is in conformity with public opinion.- (a) It has unqualified support of the Senate and House of Representatives.- (b) English public opinion now generally approves it.- (x) As seen in the London Shipping World, London Chronicle, Pall Mall Gazette, St. James Gazette.- (y) Speeches at the opening of Parliament, of Sir William Harcourt and others: Daily Papers, Feb. 12 and 18, 1896.

III. The message is reasonable.- (1) The appointment of the Commission was the wisest possible step.- (a) England's refusal to arbitrate left no alternative.- (b) Most satisfactory way of getting at facts: Public Opinion, XIX, 26, Dec. 26, 1895.

IV. The message is sufficiently moderate in tone.- (a) It does not exaggerate resultant possibilities.- (b) It does not menace.- (x) Last paragraph is simply a definite and necessary statement of exact effect of finding of the Commission.- (c) England, the menaced nation, has not taken offence: Daily Papers for Feb. 12 and 18, 1896.

Brief for the Negative.H. A. BIGELOW and F. D. POLLAK.

Best general references: President's Message in Congressional Record, p. 204 (Dec. 7, 1895), Boston Herald, Dec. 18, 1895; C. F. Adams in Boston Herald, Jan. 12, 1896; G. S. Boutwell in Boston Herald, Feb. 2, 1896; C. E. Norton, F. S. Woolsey and I. L. Rice in Forum XX pp. 641-651, 705-712, 721-732 (Feb. 1896); Senator Wolcott in Congressional Record, pp. 976-980 (Jan. 22, 1896); "The Real Problem" and "The Venezuelan Correspondence" in Nation LXI pp. 458 and 458-459; and ibid p. 455 (Dec. 26, 1895); "The Venezuelan Commission," ibid LXII p. 24 (Jan. 9, 1896).

I. The President's message is bad as to the substance of the policy laid down for this particular case.- (a) War between England and the United States would be an immeasurable calamity: Boston Herald, Dec. 19, 1895; Blaine, Twenty Years of Congress, I, p. 55.-

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