The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-08-06
State Department Has No Oficial News.

a British port, instead Of into Sitka, as
ordered by the captain of the Rush.
THE department." said Mr.. Wharton.
'shas not been advised of the seizure of the
Black Diamond or other vessel, has no news
has no statement to make in regard to its
future action in the matter"
Have you seen the statement that it was
the desire to let the Black Diamond escape
after taking its catch of seals, and there
the Rushp
mo- said Mr. Wharton. 'T have not seen
that statement. and have no means of know
M as sf # . sas OF whole
the seizure of these vessels, so far as it has
gone, is under the control and direction of
the Treasury Department.. If there is any
blame attaching to these seizures it must
be laid at the doors of Congress. 1t passed
law directing the President to issue his
proclamation extending to the American
waters in Behring sea the same protection
over the seal and other fur-bearing ami
mails as is accorded the fur-bearing inhab
itants of Alaska and the waters thereof,
by the general act on fisheries, and that
law is simply being enforced. That is
what we are here for, to carry out the laws
that Congress enacts. So far this question
has not become an international one. The
State Department has not been informed
officially of any part of the proceedings
and therefore has nothing to act upon"
Canadian Press Comment.
TORONTO, Aug. 5.-The Globe says: The
Black Diamonds adventure reads like a
joke. It's pity the joke had not been
completed, as it probably would have been,
had Captain Thomas found a British man
of-war at Ounalaska. To put fine finish on
a farce, Washington should clam damages
because the Black Diamond carried John
Hawkins, representative Of Washington
authority, into Victoria. Probably even
Uncle Sans cheek is not colossal enough
to enable him to make demand for the
surrender of the escaped vessel OF course
Downing street should instantly seek sat
isfaction for the piratical conduct Of the
Rush, but after all that has been done in
the Behring sea nobody can seriously i'm
agine that Lord Salisbury's government
will make any spirited demand on Mr.. Har-
rison."
OTTAWA, Ont, Aug. 5-The papers here
are silent about the Black Diamonds es-
cape. but on all sides the good luck of the
crew in getting back to Victoria gives salts
faction. The Ministers will not talk on the
subject until they get report. The Citizen
elusive jurisdiction over the high seas by
reason of congressional edict or presiden-
tial signature is as puerile as though q
measure had been passed giving the Wash
ington magnates control over the heavenly
consultations. because the late scientist,
Professor Proctor. discovered a new star in
the armament. If jurisdiction existed over
Behring sea and all the seals having exist
ence therein, why is it that no such claim
has been made. or such right asserted, until
1887 The answer is self-evident, and the
Canadian government, we are satisfied
will not permit either the American or i'm
perial interests to play battledOre and
shuttlecock with our national privileges"
Thinks There Will Be No Trouble.
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 5.-Robert j. Stew
ems. United States consul at Victoria, who
is now in the city, speaking of the seizure
of the sealing schooner Black Diamond, by
the United State revenue cutter Rush. in
Behring sea, says: THE owners of Victoria
sealers, who are the only persons directly
interested, are naturally exercised about
this matter. but outside of them do not
think the people north of us are greatly
alarmed or excited over this affair." The
action Of our government is entirely har-
monious with the act of 1870 and the later
act of 1889. which we all know is declara-
tory act, and right In the light of previous
acts. and do not see but what our govern
ment has acted perfectly right in the mat
ter. The only danger that may arise from
this affair may be a skirmish with fatal re-
suits between crews of sealers and the
United States revenue cutters Victoria
sealers are. as a rule, manned by Indian
hunters. and they are equipped with guns
and ammunition. They are personally in.
terested In this affair, they are interest
ed in the catch of seals, and for this reason
might bring about n conflict with the men
on the revenue cutters. 4 do not think that
any of the owners of sealing vesselshaye
contemplated. or do now contempiate
armed resistance TO the enforcement by the
revenue cutter Rush, of the acts of our gov.
eminent"
Columbian Opinions.
VICTORIA. Il. c., Aug. 5.-Speaking on the
question of the seizure of the seaier Black
Diamond in Behripg sea ID. w. Higgins
NJ. r., says: I'm the face of the President.
proclamation, false and misleading as il
was. the United States must either reced,
from the absurd and unrighteous claim OIL
go ahead, even though the peaceful rela
tions Of the two countries are smashed
The attitude of the Washington govern
ment is untenable and outrageous"