Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-05-28
Behring Sea Is Ours.
And Our Dominion We Pro-
pose to Maintaia.
PROJECTION FOR SEALING GROUNDS

England Sends Her Warships There and
Uncle Sam Follows Subtitle Ccnse-
quences May BE Serious, but John Bull
the Direction of Hayti-French Designs
suspected-Notes from the Capital.
WASHINGTON CITY, May 2s-The New
York Herald's correspondent telegraphs his
paper as follows: "The sending of the Eng
lish ships Swiftsure and Amphion to Sitka,
with orders to cruise in Behring sea, has
caused quite a stir in official circles here
"The treasury department has repeatedly
called the attention of the government to the
fact that ships flying the English flag are en-
gagged in Illicit sealing in Behring sea. In
most cases these vessels are well armed, and
our revenue cutters, which only carry how
itzers, are no match for them.
We viii Assert Dominion.
"Ths government has decided thatits inter-
ests in Alaska shall be protected The
United States steamer Adams, which was
under sailing orders for Honolulu, expected
to leave Tuesday, but telegram has been
sent to the commandant of the Mare island
navy yard ordering him TO detain her. She
will go north, in company with the Iroquois,
and both vessels will leave early in the week
for Sitka. The state department intends to
assert dominion over the whole north Pacific
ocean within the limit defined by our treaty
with Russia
Grave Questions on Tap.
"If, as it appears, the English government
are sending warships to protect Canadian
vessels engaged in taking seal north of the
Aleutian islands our government will be con-
fronted with an international question of the
gravest Importance. The revenue cutters
Rush and Bear and the warships Thetis,
Adams and 1roquois will be on hand to en-
force the laws of the country, SO far as en-
croachments on the seal fisheries are con-
cerned
Uncle Sans Contention.
"Our government takes the ground that
when we acquired Alaska by purchase in
1867, we also acquired all of its vested rights,
one of which was Behring sea. The question
was settled in 1929 when England tried the
same tactics which she is now about to at
tempt. Russia showed fight and sent a large
feet to these waters The question was final
ly decided against England by arbitration
Secretary Blaine maintains that we have
exclusive dominion over all that portion of
the Pacific ocean known Behring sea, ex-
cepting such part as borders on the Siberian
coast east of the treaty line
1t May Mean War.
"lf England persists in sending ships of
war to protect the Canadian vessels, this
government will take vigorous measures to
prevent such action A conflict of authority
within this immense area of water claimed
and owned by the United States NAV mean
war. 1t is believed that England, seeing that
this government is determined TO enforce its
rights, will withdraw and submit the ques-
ton to arbitration, as was done in 1929"
In the Matter of Hayti.
There is also a disturbance of the interna-
tional atmosphere which is central Just now
over Hayti. The Baltimore SUMS CORE
spondent, who seems to have facilities for
getting "tips" on state department matters,
has sent to his paper the following: at is
now learned that upon rumors of Franco
Haytian treaty Mr.. Blaine called the atten-
ton of the French minister to the subject
Nj. Roustan disclaimed in the most positive
manner any personal knowledge of the exist
ence of any such agreement Next day he
showed Mr. Blaine cable dispatch from the
French minister for foreign affairs affirming
that no such treaty suggested had been
concluded with Hayti
Taken Cum Grano Sails.
The best opinion in state and diplomatic
circles is that the denial of the French gov
eminent is technically correct, but at the
same time it is firmly believed that France
has been conducting secret negotiations with
Hayti, and is on the qui vive to take instant
advantage of any opportunity to further its
interests in that quarter. 1t was said at the
French legation yesterday that France not
only had not concluded treaty with Hayti,
but had no incentive to desire one