Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-11-04
GEN, HARNEYs WAR.


There are some indications that our govern
ment and that of Great Britain are engaged in
a rather serious discussion of the question be-
tween them relative to the island of San Juan.
Gen. Harvey has taken possession of that is.
land in somewhat questionable manner and
it is reported from Washington that Lord
John Russell, the British Minister for foreign
affairs, has addressed our government on the
subject in style described as ''peremptory."
We do not suppose the dispute is likely to be
very dangerous, for war between the two
countries will not be permitted to arise out Of
any such dispute. Public opinion in England
as well as in the United States can not be in
duced to encourage such 1t is not
likely, however, that the gentlemen who man
age the democratic party could engage in a
presidential canvass without regarding sharp
dispute with our cousins across the water as
one of the necessary preliminaries.
AS we are likely to hear more of this San
Juan island question, it is desirable to under
stand it. The dispute relates to certain very
small islands situated in the waters which in
ritory. The only one of these islands that is
Of value in any point of view is San Juan.
They are called the "Haro Islands," and lie
between the south end of Vancouver's Island
and the continent. 1t was supposed that the
treaty of 1916, which ended the famous FIFTY.
ffodr-forty -orfght' controversy, had made an
other boundary dispute in that quarter impos-
sible; but it did not settle very clearly how
the dividing line should run through the wa
tiers in which these islands are found These
are the words of the treaty touching this
point
'tFrom the point on the 49th parallel ofnorth
latitude where the boundary laid down in ex-
isting treaties and conventions between the
United States and Great Britain terminates,
the line of boundary between the territories of
the United States and those of Her Britannia
Majesty shall be continued westward along the
said 49th parallel of north latitude to the middle
of the channel ,chich separates the continent from
Vancouuer's Island and thence southerly through
the middle Of the SAID channel and of Fucas
Straits to the Pacific Ocean provided, how
ever that the navigation of the whole of the
said channel and Straits south of the 49th par
alel of north latitude remain free and open to
both parties
Now, vancouver's Island is separated frf-
the continent by the Gulf,of Georgia, wat
does not extend down into the waters in dis
Sppte. Therefore "sad channel" cannot be
followed through and beyond them into the
straits of Fuca. We find there instead of it
two channels leading in ''southerly" drec-
ton from the termination of the Gulf of Geor.
gia to the above named straits, which form the
only outlet into the Pacific. One of these
channels, called the "Canal dc Haro," goes
down near the coast of Vancouver's Island
leaving all the Haro Islands, east of it toward
the American shore. Another, called the
Rosario Strait, goes down on the cast side
of the islands in dispute, leaving them between
it and the British shore. Our government
claims that the line should go down the Canal
de Haro; Greai Britain insists on running
it through the Rosario Strait
1t appears that the British were the first TO
occupy the island of San Juan The Hudson's
Bay Company took possession OF it; and since
1853, according to Vancouver correspondent
OF the London Times, they have used it "as
sheep farm" But the American claim has
not been inactive; and, in 1856, it was agreed
between the two governments, Messrs Marcy
and Champion being the negotiators, that ''the
title must be settled before either party should
exclude the other by force or exercise COM
plete and exclusive sovereignty within the dis.
puted limits" And commissioners were an.
pointed to adjust the question of title but they
have not arrived at a decision; perhaps they
have not pursued the matter very faithfully
Meanwhile the Americans in that quarter have
not ceased to coyet the island Last wipte,
some Of them got up land speculation ex
element; lands in San Juan were SURVEYED
claims were located, and there was quite stil
to go over and occupy the disputed territory
1t would not be unreasonable to doubt that 4
was this feeling among the Americans tha
moved Gen. Harvey to take possession oft. II,
has alleged that he went there to protect Ameri
can citizens from "insults and indpnlies - but
this is doubtless a mere pretext, as the Eng
lsh yehemently deny what he charges apains
them, while no individual American has wei
come forward with an actual case a. outrage
He sent military force to the island TO estob
lish the Americans in possession of it, and il
doing so he was encouraged and aided by tb,
American Commissioner himself.
The Island of San Juan is Of considerable,
importance to Great Britain, because it com
mands the way to her possessions in that quar-
ter Every vessel that goes to Victoria, Fra
scr's River. or anywhere up the Gulf Of Geor
gia, must sail by it. Therefore she will no
rclinquish i very easily. We expect sharJ
diplomatic contest, accompanied by talk O
war But, the result viii be peaceful settle
ment Of the question.