Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-08-02
Rending Their Linen.
That Behring Sea Incident Both
ering the Canadians.
OPPOSITION PRESS VERY wR0TH.

1t Embraces the Opportunity to Blast the
Government A Statesman Wonders
whats the Matter with John Bull
Reference to That Mason and Sill
dell ATair-Advice from an Independ-
ent Journai-The Matter In the Hands
of the London officials
OTTAWA. Ont, Ang. 2-Lively interest
continues to be shown in the seizure of a
Canadian vessel in Behring sea, seventy
miles from the Alaska shore, and the in
die nation manifested shows how popular the
government would be if they lost no time in
making a strong protest and taking what
other steps are open 10 express their sense Of
indignity and outrage. Peter White, MEM
Der Of parliament for North Renfrew, ex-
pressed himself strongly on "the Behring sea
Outrage and was surprised at the forbear-
ance and inactivity OF the British govern
ment They seemed, he said, to have con-
ceded the right of search to the United States
authorities, even in the open sea.
Canada's Hands Tied.
As to the Canadian government taking ac-
tive steps to protect Canadian vessels Mr..
White said their hands were tied He con-
trasted the inaction of the British govern
ment now with their course in the Mason
and Slidel affair. and predicted that the re-
suits of Great Britain's forbearance would
be final trouble, when the United States
would commit some act so outrageous that
Great Britain could not ignore 1t. These are
bold words for Mr.. White, who is a govern
ment supporter.
Gives En- a Chance TO Howl.
7 4
pecially furious over the seizure The Free
Press SAYS:
Britannia rules the waves, but the foregoing
dec lsration has been modified far as il re-
lates to that portion of the Pacific ocean
known as Behring sea.
Commenting on the Behring sea affair The
Witness says:
IL seems from a statement of the captain OF
the Black Diamond that resistance on the part
of British vessel commanders and consequent
b. oodshed are not unlikely if the piratical
proceedings OF the American government are
longer tolerated by the British and Canadian
governments. No other nation would be, eX-
cept through fear, so forbearing as Great
Britain has been. In default of legitimate pro-
| lection personal defense would ne justifable,
and the American pirate would have no re-
| course.
Gets 1t About Right.
| The Evening Journal independently says:
OF late the United States has shown a bull
| living confidence in fits own strength. Its deal
| ings with Hayti. the Samoan question, and
| Canada and the tone OF the press on interna-
| tional subjects. indicate belief on the part
| OF our neighbors To the south that, although
4 they may not be in the habit of maintaining q
4 very formidable peace armament, they are
able at short notice to tackle any other nation
| on the face of the earth. They are justified in
1 feeling so in regard t. their internal safety
The war between north and south proved that
the United States can put several million GOOD
soldiers in the field inside OF a year. should il
| require them. No nation would dare to at
\ tempt a military invasion of the states. tn,
result would inevitably be the loss of the en-
tire invading army, were il the largest evel
sent forth in the world: and. secure at home
the mass OF the American people are confiden
that their enormous national resources, thei
surplus revenue of hundred millions a year
| and a comparatively small national deb
would enable them soon 10 whip any countr!
reckless enough to stand up against Uncl
Sam.
Kindly Suggestion.
Our neighbors do not probably generally re
| alize the whole situation. Away from the SEA
| they are safe On the borders OF the sea the!
| are at present at the mercy OF any superio
| naval power. 1t may be that the rapid ad
vance of late in the science of marine defens
| might enable them in a year or two after tn
| outbreak of war to protect to some extent tn
remnants of their coast cities But not one
nor two, nor five years of the most earnest ex
ertion will enable the United States Z
strengthen its navy sufficiently to make it
mark for the fleets of Italy, France, Germany
| or Russia. to say nothing of Great Britain.
| The Government Informed
The Dominion government is kept in
formed by the officials at Victoria, and
private dispatch says three British men-of
war are now in Behring sea, but manage t
to keep out of the way Of the British sealers
No further action can be taken by the Do
minion government, and at best it can ont
suggest the course to be pursued by the i'm
perial authorities. Lord Stanley, the gov
ernor general, is known to he in constan
communication with Lord Salisbury, bu
the result has not been communicated to OF
tawa Officials here say the only danger o
q complication arises from the possibility O
resistance being offered by the Nova Scott
seamen who man the Victoria schooners. Il
\ Hantraal the general sentiment is that tn
| vessels shall be released and full indarnnir
be paid by the United States government