The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1889-06-01
THE SEAL FISHERIES.
The Adm inistration Determined to Pro.
ss tect American Rights in
t Alaskan Waters. "a
NEW YORK, May 27.-A Washing
ton special to the Herald says:

ta~i-s 4.s tit ee sns
}, New YORK, May ga Washing
ton special to the Herald says:
The sending OF the English fiagshil
Swifsture and the Amphion to Sitks
with orders to cruise In Behring's ses
| has caused quite stir In official circles
here. The treasury department has
time and again called the attention OF
flying the English nag are engaged in
illicit sealing in Behring's sea. In most
cases these vessels are we'll armed and
our revenue cutters. which carry only
howttzers, are no match for them.
| The government has decided that Its
interests In Alaska shall be protected.
The United States steamer Adams,
which was under sailing orders for
Honolulu, expected to leave on Tues
day, but a telegram has been sent to
the Mare Island navy yard to detain
her. She Will 60 north in company
with the Ieoquois, and both vessels
will leave early in the week for Sitka.
The state department has decided
that Behring's sea is a mare clausum,
and intends to assert dominion ever
the whole north Pacific, within the
limit defined by our treaty with Russia.
What constitutes the waters Of Alaska
has been complicated question, and
II, as appears, the English government
is sending warships 10 protect Cana
dian vessels engaged in taking seal
north of the Aleutian islands, our gov
ernment will be confronted with au
international question of the gravest
importance.
The revenue cutters Rush aud Bear
and the warships Thetis, Adams and
irCquois will be on hand to enforce the
law of the country as defined by the
treasury department., SO far as depre-
dation of the seal fishing Is concerned.
Our government takes the ground
that when we acquired Alaska by
purchase in 1867, we also acquired ali
Of Its vested rights, one of which was
Behring's sea. This question was set
tied In 1929, when England attempted
the same tactics she Is now engaged in.
Russia showed fight and sent large
fleet to those waters to uphold her po-
sitton. The question was finally set
tied by arbitration against England.
Secretary Blaine is determined in
this matter. He maintains that we
have exclusive dominion over all that
portion of the Pacific ocean known az
Behring's sea, excepting such as lies
east Of the treaty line, bordering on the
Siberian coast. The matter has been
discussed in the cabinet, and tho ter
minatiou Of the administration is to
enforce all our rights in the matter.
II Eogland persists in sending ships |
OF war to protect the Canadian vessels |
in taking these young seal, this gov
ernment will take vigorous measures |
to stop 1t.
The first conflict of authority within
this immense area CT water claimed |
and owned by the United States may
mean war. 1t is believed that Eug.
land, seeing that this government is
determined 10 enforce It's rights, even
II recourse to force fs necessary, will |
withdraw and submit the question to
arbitration, as was done with Russia
in 1929.
NEW GUNS FOR THE REVENUE
CUTTERS.
SAN FRANCISCO. May 27.-The rev.
enue cutter Richard Rush, which ap.
parently started for sea day or two
since, en- route to Behripg sea, but in !
reality went'to Mare island, Is now
there receiving supplies Of ammunition
and three new guns. The revenue
cutter Bear will also 60 there before !
leaving for Alaska to receive new guns
among which is 6-inch rifle, such as
those u.ed by the Russian navy
s'Jacks0nian Vulg0rity."