New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-08-02
CONGRESS md BEHRING SEA.

CONGRESS And BEHRING SEA.
Secretary Blaines declaration that the Adj
ministration's action in Behring Sea has been
in literal compliance with the act Of Congress
approved by President Cleveland on his last
day of office is fully corroborated by 1.-The
Congressional Record" The bill for the pro-
lection of the fur-seal fisheries, introduced by
Senator Stockbridge, was passed by the SEN
ate and amended by the House on February g.
The second section, defining the limits of juriS-
diction in the waters of Alaska referred to in
Section l. 956 of the Revised Statutes, was
adopted by unanimous vote. 1t stated thai
the section which prohibits the killing OF seal,
sea otter, etc, in Behring Sea was intended
to include and apply, and is hereby declared
to include and apply to all the waters OF Behr-
ing Sea in Alaska embraced within the boun-
dairy lines mentioned and described in the
treaty with Russia" That treaty defined a
pelagic boundary from Behring Straits to the
channel between Alton and Copper islands Of
the Aleutian group. The House affirmed JunS-
diction over all waters east of that pelagic line,
and then defined the duty of the Administration
as follows:
And it shall be the duty of the President at timely
season in each year issue his proclamation ana cause
the same to published for one month IN at least one
newspaper published at each United states port oi
entry on the Pacific Coast, warning all persons against
entering said territory and waters for the purpose Of
violating the provisions of said section ana nc shai
also cause one or vessels of the United states 10
diligently cruise said and arrest all persons and
seize all vessels found be or to have been engaged in
any violation of the laws OF the United states thee
The Senate Committee on Foreign Affalrs
to whom the bill was referred, reported ad-
versely upon the House amendment on March
2, and conference committee was appointed
While the Senate after conference receded from
its disagreement the effect of the joint report
was to leave out the words descriptive of tho
boundaries of Alaska, and to substitute for
them the following phrase: That Section
1856 of the Revised Statutes of the United
States is hereby declared to include and apply
to all the dOminions Of the United States in
the waters of Behnng Sea-" The remainder
of the section quoted in smaller type above
was passed without dissent and the bill re-
ceived the signature of President Cleveland.
The Senate in insisting upon the omission OF
the Houses definition of jurisdiction was not
influenced by hostility to the theory Of the
pelagic boundary, but merely objected to hasty
and ill-conSidered discussion of questions OF
international law during the closing hours of
the session. The bill as passed. however, as
serted dominion of the United States in the
waters of Behring Sea, without specific reference
to the deep-sea treaty line, and authorized the
President to issue proclamation each year
warning intruders against entering those waters
for illegal purposes, and to send revenue cut
ters to arrest and seize al vessels found to be
violating the law.
The President has issued his proclamation in
compliance with the will Of Congress, and has
sent two or three revenue cutters to cruise in
Behring Sea and enforce the laws The Black
Diamond has been seized and captured with
the direct authority of Congress and in con-
formity with the practice of the Democratic
Administrations with the exception of the
sealing season Of 1888 If the Democratic Adj
ministration made any admissions Or conces-
sions which now render untenable the position
held by the United States for so many years,
the fact is not known and cannot he sup
posed. in the face of the signature by President
Cleveland of the act requiring a renewed eXer-
else Of National authority for the protection of
American rights in Behrng Sea. In this state
of facts one suggestion appears TO be pertinent
The occasion is not one for partisan OutcrieS or
strained representations in the interest OF any
party 1t calls for patriotic confidence that
the Government now, in acting upon law
passed by House and approved by Presi-
dent of the opposite party, is sim
ply doing its duty with an earnest de-
sire to defend American rights as far as it
Justly can, and to reach settlement favorable
to American interests. No other attitude is
possible for Democrats, unless they wish to
accuse President Cleveland and the Democrats
Of the last House of gross misconduct. No
other attitude is possible for Republicans, SO
long as there is no known reason for believing
that the course pursued by the United States
for many years cannot with proprety be pur-
sued again. There have been some comments
already which evince a disposition to make
difficulty for the Administration if possible.
This is not the patriotic spirit, and it is one
which the great body of Americans irrespective
of party will heartily condemn.