The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1889-06-13
Canadians Scout the Idea of War
With the United States.
At the Same Tine the British are
Fortifying Northern Points.
Thousands of Men Clearing Away
the Wreck at Johnstown,
Port Lsyden, New York, Swept by a
Terrific Cyclone.

OTTAWA, Ont, June lO.-The Beh-
ring Sea question promises to prove
more difficult of solution than all the
other national disputes between Her
Brittanic Majesty and the United
States. Strange reports and rumors
regarding the attitude of the govern
ment of the United states have reached
Ottawa. American gunboats and
men-of-war laden with shot and shell
are to maintain exclusive soy
erignty in the icy waters Of the far
north. At the same time dispatches
are flashed from Vancouver that
Canadian vessels, emboldened by the
success of last years hazardous vOy-
ages, are again getting ready for Beh-
ring sea. The crews for the most part
are composed of men who, il the
chances are favorable, would not
scruple to offer armed resistance to an
American revenue cutter. OF late
carried away by reports from the Paci-
fc, have piloted their ships around
Cape Horn, with tie single pur-
pose of amaSsing fortunes in the
seal catching industry. This new
element, though selfish at home, is not
calculated to brook interference from
the American Sutorities, especially
when three or four successful expedi-
tions mean retirement for the lucky
skipper. /. 1t Is surprising how little in
terest the average Canadian takes in
the Behring sea dispute. Great Britain,
however, exhibits alarm at the prospect
Of seeing her merchantmen shut
out OF region so extensive
and has already addressed to
the United States some pretty strong
language on the subject. The ordinary
Canadian does not worry over the talk
OF indignities heaped upon British sub
jects in Alaska. He knows little about
the value of the seal industry, and feels
confident that diplomacy will give
Canada a big indemnity before
the epd of the century. Not
80 with the Atlantic fish
cries. Canadian sentiment in regard to
that question is unanimous There must
be no back down, even though 1t should
prove losing game. Leading men of
both parties in Canada are of course
very anxious to be on terms of friendly
intercourse with the United States
deal of attention to the disputes pend
ing between the two countries. A
prominent cabinet minister gave his
views on the Behring sea question
but for good reasons desired to
have his name withheld. He laughed
at the idea of the possibility OF
a collision between the American and
British iron clads. There will, he
feels certain. be concessions on both
sides. No efforts are to be made 10y
the dominion government TO deter
Canadians from engagingin sealing op
eratiOns this summer. Such a course
besides creating distrust would be in
consistent, without commercial dignity
and national pretensions. My politi
cal friend stated that our seameI
expect no assistance from the
British in the event of capture
The unfortunate adventures WHIT
may encounter an American cruiser
will have to seek a remedy through
diplomatic agencies. The proposal o.
the British and Canadian government
TO erect imposing Notifications at Els
quimault, the western key of the DO
minion, would indicate that England
has no intention of relinluishlng he
fast hold upon the American continent
The San Francisco newspapers profes
to be alarmed at the intended prepare
tions for defense and regard them as
neDance to the United States. Severa
of them have gone so far as t. advocati
the requirement of British Colum
lions will begin some tim
this year, but the plans have not ye
been finally adopted. 1t is proposed t.
build series of forts guarding the ap
proaclIes TO Esquimault, the headquaT
ters of the British squadron in tn
North Pacific. Here also is an aTsens
and dry dock, the latter constructed b
the Dominion authorities at a cost O
over a million dollars. England ap
parently means business on the Pacifi
coast. What with wars and rumors o
wars, she does not propose to neglec
TO keep open her new and alternative
highway from the Orient.