New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-04-27
CANADA AND BEHRING SEA.
ASKING THAT A BRITISH WAR,SHIP BE SENT
TO THE ALEUTIONS.

SIR JOHN MACDONALD TELLS DOMINION MEM
Der THAT SIR JULIAN PAUNCEFoTE WILL
UPHOLD THE CANADIAN CLAIMs-ANTI.
AMERICAN SPEECHES.
Ottawa. Ont, April o6.-In the House Of Commons
to-day Mr.. Prior brought up the question of the al
legged illegal seizure OF British vessels in Behrng Sea-
He said that the United States England and Russia
signed treaty in 1921 in which Russia abandoned
her claims to exclusive Jurisdiction in Behring Sea he
referred to the seizure of three ships from Victoria
b. c. in Bchrng sea in 1886 by American cruisers.
The greatest portion of the catch cOnfscaed at the
same time was caught long before the alleged Amcri
can waters wore reached. No settlement had been
arrived at for those seizures, had any compensac
ton been offered the owners, who had been ruined.
The amount of the original claims reached $l53OOO.
Eight other vessels seized In the following year
He referred to the harlshipS experienced by the Brit
lsh seamen on these vessels who after being landed at
Alaska were obliged return home In enniless
condition. Three Of the vessels to-day lay rotting on
the beach OF Alaska He knew that the Dominion
Government had asked England to settlement
and he wanted information TO the delay IN bring
ing the international negotiations to close.
He contrasted the delay in settling the Behrng sea
affair with the haste shown by the United States in
the Samoan affair He cOntended that the majority
Of Americans on the Pacific Coast were opposed to
the monopoly enjoyed by the Commercial Company
in Alaska He referred the issue of the prOcla-
nation by President Harrison and said II was a
violation of the international right Mr. Blaine he
regarded as the author Of the proclamation, which
simply proposed 10 enrich the ALASKA Commefcla
Company. The speaker urged the Government TO
ask the imperial authorities to send British war
vessel 10 Bebrlng sea. He felt certain that even
If little gunboat put its nose near the AIeuuah
Islands we would hear of no further seizures
Mr. Davies QlberaD agreed with Mr.. Prior as
to the Importance of the matter. The delay, he
said simply showed that Canada could never
secure summary Justice until she had
an agent at Washington Mr. Davies
contended that Americans had no jurisdiction IN
Behring Sea outside the threemile marine limit.
Sir John Macdonald said he would not deal with
the question of establishing commercial agency at
Washington. Parliament had already decided the
question The United States, he continued, claimed
exclusive Jurisdiction in Behring Sea. American and
Canadian vessels had suffered equally from an az
gressive monopoly. The question was not local
one 1t was one that affected all maritime nations.
which he felt certain would resist the Ubiquitous at
tempt of the United States TO claim Behrng Sea.
England was pressing for settlement. Sir Julian
Pauncefoe he felt suIc, British Minister at Wash
ngton would do all in his power TO bring the matter
10 a termination. England had ildOrsed Canadas
claims and recently admitted that the American con
fentlons were unfoundcd. If the United States in
sisted upon its pretcnsons grave complication would
arise What the results wonld be he dared not say
nor did he dare to think of the results. Canada had
resisted her wrongs. She would continue to resist
them and compensation was inevitable
The Marquis of Iansdownc cx-GovernorG General OF
Canada. took warm personal interest," IN the queStoh
and when he went to England he took with him
Statement from the Dominion Government. The
sneaker said he felt that Sir Julian was equal 10 the
occasion. ,, .
Sir Richard Cartwright took occasion to show what
bc considered the necessity for Canada demanding
,be e>tahlis hmant of an agency at Washington lie
declared that the claims of the United states were
absurd. , -. ,,,,
Mr. Weldon said the Americans claim that Bchrlng
Sea vas a mare clausunl aud blamed the Government
for DELAYS In pressing for settlement.