The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1854-08-01
RUSSIA AND THE UNITED STATES.

For many months past difficulty has been
in prospect, relative to The fishery question:
The dispute has not been confined to our east.
ern sea coast; but has extended over all seas
in which the Russians havo possessions. In
many cases tho Russian Government has as
sume6 rights, whore it never had shallow Of
title, and has even gonc SO far as to enforce
| those rights.
| As to our right TO fish upon our north-wost
coast, such stipulation is plainly contained
| in the treaties made between the United States
and Russia, in the year 1872, 1924, and 1884
and which has been claimed by this govern.
mcnt, without lot or hindrance, from a time
long previous to either of those dates. Not
withstandng these treaties and the immemo
rial custom of the United States, to exercise
the right of fishing on our north-we coast
the Russian government gave express orders
to Gen. Sardoil q, that he issue exclusive grant
to powerfully organized company to fish a
long the coast of tho Russian possessions -
For tho purpose of carrying this order into ex-
ecution, Gen. Sardoiku announced to all foreign
consuls, that any vessel found transgressing
this order would bo seized and fined SS000.-
A similar, and express order to the same effect
was given to American vessels in tho Bay OF
Sitka. To such an act the American consul
objected; but the only effect produced, was a
profound sensation. Bnt the Russian author
| itios finding the order disrespoctod proceeded
| at once to seize vessel then lying in the
Stka Bay under tho pretext that it i0Ds p'epar-
ing TO coatravene the ne,o treaty. Such was
the last advces received at Washington.
If ample aud immediate redress be not ten
dered to the United States. all American sym
pathy in behalf of Russia against the Turks,
will be found calming down into distrust and
hatred That power has already pushed her
claims and pre,entions upon many of tho most
important positions of the northwest coast
which has already stirred up a feelin e of dis
sension, now likely TO break out in a more
serious shape. When t he treaty of 1884 was
made no definite arrangement was entered into
iuasmuch as the treaty was only provisional;
but those provisions arc likely to be more,
closely defined
The steps which Russia has tuken to secure
to herself the exclusive navigation of tho river
Amazon, as well as of tho sea of Okhotsk, and
also, to cut off all other nations from opening
q commercial intercourse with Japan, hes been
looked mpon with evident displeasure by a
large class in tho United States, who now, also
begin to sec signes of ararm in her cource
towards tho proposed annexation Of the Sand
wich Islands
In this matter Of dispute between the Uni
ted States and Russia, there is as'ngular coin
cdenco. While England and this government
were approaching peaceful and satisfactory
issue. concerning The Fisheries upon our east
crn coast, this encroachmcnt of the Russians
upon our northwest fisheries began, for the
first, to be demanded.
What the result of this unexpected and nn-
founded demand will bo, it is impossible to
foresee. But it docs not seem like tho Ameri-
can way of doing business to allow inierliction
to be placed upan our rights, until some bet
ter cause than has been offered in this instan-
ebail he shaufn-- Osan 6sharins too i'm
portant on the coast of tho Russian Possess
ions to be allowed thus lightly to slip from our
hand