Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-05-31
THE SEAL-FISHERIES.
TOO MUCH CHAMPAGNE cAusSs A BRIT
ISL OFFICER TO SPOUT.
No Trouble Appreciated by Naval 0ficss Of
Either Government" Police
men Of the Sea"
rBy telegraph to tho Dispatch,

lby eiokrapu 70 tno Dsphtcn-t
CHICAGO. May 3O.--A special dispatch 10
the Times from Victoria. Il. c., says: The
startling revelations concerning the tenor
and extent OF t5e orders issued by the Ad.
miralty authorities TO Admiral Heneage,
commanding the Pacific squadron, and
under which the British men-of-wsr Swift
sure, Icsrus, and Amphion, now at Esqul.
malt, Will proceed 10 Behring's Sea in
June, were made yesterday By an officer IN
hlsh rank attached TO the flagship. He and 4
number OF other naval officers attended the
luncheon given by the local club.men
and before the affair came 10 close
all we've very much under the In
fiuence OK champagne. Al the height
OF the festivities an officer IN responding
10 a toast OF the navy, said In substance tOat
there would be some fighting soon in
Behring's sea II the American authorities
attempted 10 prevent Canadian sealers from
hunting there. No attention would be paid
10 the Presidents proclamation, he said,
and toe Admiral would not only dispute the
claim OF the Americans 20 the exclusive
sovereignty OF the disputed waters, but II
the American cruisers should take into Gus,
tody the Canadian sealers caught nsbing
therein the British men.oi-war would take
steps 10 recapturc them. Hc said further
that the Admiral commanding the North
American squadron had sent the British
cruiser Blizzard from Bermuda to New
York, and while there orders were
received from the Admiralty TO set
at once and send two wsr.ships
from the North American station 10 reinforce
those now under orders 10 proceed 10
Behring's Sea. IL the statements made by the
officer sre true, 1t would seem that Great
Britain means 10 resort 10 force rather than
wait for the diplomatic solution OK the seat
fishing difficulty. Late yesterday the Admiral
heard OF the statements made by the officer,
and at once ordered him under arrest
Strong efforts were made to keep the matter
secret, but it leaked out and caused great eN'
element. lie has communicated 10 tie
British Admiralty authorities by cable.
NOTHING OFFICIAL.
OTTAWA, Nav 30.-The Department Of
Marine snd Fisheries is yet without any
official information as 10 the dispatch OF war
ships 10 Behring's sea 10y either Euglsud or
the United States. No significance is attach
ed by the bead officials to the dispatch OF
these steamers. At any rate, that Is how
they express themselves.
NO Trouble LIKELY TO OCCUR.
WASHINGTON, May 3O.-The wsrlike dis
patches from British Columbia with regard
10 expected trouble between the United
States and Great Britain over the Bebti0g' ;
sea sealisheries are generally discredited by
the officers Of the Navy Department. II IL
pointed ont that no officer OF rank sufficiently
high 20 make him acquainted with tie Eng
lsh Governments purposes would under
any circumstances be so foolish ~ TO talk 10
the manner stated in the dispatch from VIC
toria. \ prominent naval officer In speak
ing on tue subject said that II such talk did
occur the speaker was some subaltern who bad
drank TOO much aud lost bis head, and had y
high talk gwen his auditors TO believe some.
thing startling was going to take place and
that be knew all shout IL. The United states
had no reason TO apprehend any difficulty.
Great Britain assnredly would not commit
any overt sec Of violence IN case her sealers
were arrested without warning this Govern
ment OF its Infections. The warning that
Great Britain would by force dispute the
sovereignty OF Behring's Sea had new, I
been communicated TO the United States ana
this alone showed tire improbabllty Of the
story. II might be that The three vessels named
were going 10 Behring's sea, though that was
by no means certain. Their duties there,
however, would probably consist IN no.
thing more than keeping watch on the sltua'
ton to prevent their citizens from being
wantonly il-used and giving the sealers
good advice. II our vessels attempted any,
thing that was unwarrsnted, It might be
that the British officers would feel called
upon to interfere. The United states
sent vessels 10 the Newfoundland
fisheries each year 10 look after the
American interests, add British vessels
probably had similar mission Ia the Alaskan
waters. presuming that they would go there.
| The United states naval force at present
| available in Behring's sea consists OF th'
Bear, the Tbetis, and reyenue.cutter
| These vessels are OF no use for actual war.
fare and are simply policemen OF the sea.
| The Adams and Iroquois are at Mare Island
ana could be cent to sea at short notice II
circumstances demanded II. The Charles
| ton Is also at San Francisco, hut It will BE-
some time before she Will be ready TO 20 into
commission. She has demonstrated, 1t l.
said, that she Is al excellent boat
but has not vet fulfilled the contract
requirements snd some changes are neces-
sary In her machinery before she can come
10 30 the conditions Of the contract Even II
these requirements were waived under stress
OF an emergency II would take some time "a
III the Charleston out for service. As ha'
been already stated. however, naval officers
do no, think the situation alarming or even
threatening. The Behring's sea fisheries,
thew are confident. will not preclpitate 8
conflict between tue United states and Great