The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1889-06-25
TIE DISPUTED WATERS.
Canadian Views on the Behring's Sea
Situation.

SITUATION
OTTAWA, Ont, May 28.-Speaking
in reference to the action of the
American Government in sending
three cruisers to Behring's Sea, a
prominent Cabinet minister said to
a reporter of the Associated Press
to-day: Il am hopeful of a peaceful
settlement, and negotiations were
progressing favorably before the Re
publicans assumed Office. Secretary
Bayard had gone so far as to pro-
pose an international convention to
take steps for the protection of the
bearing animals in Behring's
Sea and the Sea of Ochotsk Japan,
Russia and England had agreed to
send representatives.. L don't antlcl-
pate trouble this year. Even though
British war vessels proceeded to
Behring Sea their presence is only
natural. Canadian sealers venturing
north will be warned of their dan
gers as usual, and be advised to sub
NIT in case of seizure. Canadian
seamen cannot expect protection
from British men of war unless some
fragrant outrage is committed. After
seizure the vessels owners can seek
compensation through diplomatic
channels"
The Government has been advised
that a large number of Canadian
seaiers have been fitting out at Vic
toria, B. c., and will sail in few
days for Behring Sea. A number Of
Nova Scotia sealers, encouraged by
the success of Pacific Coast vessels
last season in avoiding capture by
United States revenue cutters, are
bringing their vessels around Cape
Horn, intending to capture fat seals
within the preserves claimed by the
Americans.
A prominent Government official
said to reporter that there was no
doubt that the Canadian sealers
would strive to hunt in Behring Sea,
despite the presence of American
war vessels. British men of war he
said would not make any move to
prevent the sailing of these vessels,
as by so doing they would in a meas
ure, countenance the American
claims to exclusive sovereignty in
the disputed waters. On the other
hand, if any Canadian sealers were
taken by American war ships the
British vessels would not try to re-
capture them, as that would be the
signal for open hostility. The OBJ
iect of the presence of British war
ships is simply to see that no out
RACES are committed and to show
that Great Britain has not given In
to the contentious Of the United
| States.
VICTORIA, B. c., May 28.-Though
matters have been kept very quiet as
to the movements of the War vessels
which will sail for the north next
month, it was learned from a reliable
source to-day that the flagship Swift
sure, the fast cruiser Amphion and
the war vessel Champion, now on
their way from the South, with the
Icarius and two torpedo boats now
here, will leave for Alaskan waters
as soon as the Champion arrives,
which will be June 10th at the latest.
It is we'll understood here that
should British sealers be interfered
with by American cruisers while pro
scouting seal-hunting without the
league limit the British war vessels
will protect them. The vessels are
being stocked for a lengthy cruise.
| It is stated that the sealing masters
were assured before clearing for
Behring Sea that they would be pro-
| tected.
VICTORIA, B. @. May 29th.-The
Colonist's Ottawa correspondent had
an interview with Sir John A. Mac
donald, the Dominion Premier, to-
day on Behring Sea matters. Sir
John pooh-poohed the idea of war
and said: 1.-The British Government
has no hostile intention, nor I'm
satisfied, has the American Govern
ment. Those ships are going for a
cruise, but it will only be for sort
of marine picnic, and has no more
significance than if the feet went to
Valparaiso"
'Do you know anything of the
promises of protection to Canadian
fishing vessels 2"
Nothing whatever"
could such promises have been
made without your knowledge?"
Certainly, they could, but it
would be very unlikely"
Suppose the Canadian fishing
vessels are molested?"
''It is not at all likely that they
will be molested outside of the three
mile limit"
EEBut Canadian schooners have
been molested before and are now
under seizure"
eyes," the Premier admitted.
Canadian schooners have been
molested and I think it very mean
that they have been. The fact is.
the United States Government knows
that its absurd pretension about
Behring's Sea being a mare clausum
cannot be maintained"
Ought not the Imperial Govern
ment demand redress for these
seizures?"
"Lord Salisbury has been doing
nothing but demanding redress ever
since the Canadian made represent
alton to the Home Government, and
the Imperial Government took i'm
mediate action. OF course, if the
United States Government refuses
to respect the law of nations there
I.