New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-08-12
VHn WAN RESPONSIBLER

"The Evening Post" forecaSting wars alarms
from the BehIing Sea seizures ENORMOUSLY asks
why Secretary Bayards negotiations Tor
maritime agreement fell through. - In the alb
.ence Of better information" it remarks, II -
a fair inference that the political deadlock OF
the two last wears frustrated this intended
treaty as ii did the Fishery Treaty. the Chinese
Treaty. and everything else that might have
reflected credit upon Mr. CleveandS Admins
uation. The Senate was determined to reject
ANYTHING that would have that political elect
Our friend affects ignorance OF the demagoglc
use made Of Chinese questions 10y the President
and his party and fails to score the Democratic
House for passing without dissent an amend
ment TO the bill for the protection Of the fur
seal fisheries, affirming jurisdiction over all
waters of Behnng Sea within the boundaries
defined by the treaty Of purchase. In re-
miming its burned powder, why does 1t turn
all its Sholt-lange musletry against the Re-
publican Senate? If the responsibility for the
failure Of Secretary BayaId's maritime agree
ment is TO be Sadded upon Congress, let the
main share of il fall where ii belongs. upon
Democratic extremists in the House, VINO
adopted the most radical view of American
jurisdiction in Behriug Sea.
But our friend. as usual is wholly msin-
formed and inexcusably ignorant respecting the
miscarriage of Secretary Bayard'S plans for the
settlement Of this international question. The
diplomatic correspondence submitted to Con
gless on February II Of this year contains an
authoritative explanation Of the deadlock
which arose. On August 8, 1887, identical
instructions were sent from the State Depart
ment 10 the American Ministers to Germany.
Sweden and Norway, Russia, Japan and Great
Britain for opening negotiations respecting a
close season in Behring Sea. The correspond
ence which followed showed that the overtureS
were everywhere well received. and especially
in Russia and England. Lord Salisbury at
once expressed his acQuieScence, conferred re
Ieatedly with the American and Russian Min
listers on the subject, and on December ,, 1887
instructed Mr.. Chamberlain that he was
" favOIaby disposed to negotiating for an
agreement as to a close season in all seal fish
eiieS, to whOmSOever belonging" lnaSmuch
as there were valuable fur seal fisheries in the
Russian as well is in the American half Of
Behling Sea. the negotiations were chiefly con-
Quoted in London by Lord Salisbury and the
two Ministers. and Japan and other Govern
ments were Informed that rs soon Is an agree
ment should be reached between the three Gov-
crnments most deeply interested the conven-
ton would be sent to all the maritime Powers
A hitch in the negotiations arose. and Secretary
Bayald rcfe1ed TO it in his correspondence
with Minister Hubbard rs follows
Department Of state. Washington, Aug. g. 1888.
Sir: have TO acknowledge the receipt OF your No.
400, Of the 18th ultimo, In which YOU transmit copy
OF a note fIom Count Okuma- Minister for Foreign
Affairs Of Japan Of the 9TH uliimo, IN which he states
that the desire Of his Government TO instruct rep
rcscniatve in London TO take part I'm the negotiations
there pending between the Government OF the United
States and that Of Great Britain for convention for
the protection Of sear In Dehring Sea, providing the
negotiations have reached Stage which would admit
Of such participation. In reply sou promised His Ell