New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-08-25
BEBRrNG SEA NEGOTIATIONS.

A report, apparently well authenticated.
comes from London that the British Govern
ment has intimated TO the State Department
its willingness to negotiate a settlement OF the
Behring Sea controversy There is every rea-
son to believe that Lord Salisbury, if left I'M
embarrassed by Canada would have accepted
in 1887 Secretary Bayard's arrangement for
close season. He informed Mr.. Chamberlain
that such disposition Of the matter would be
satisfactory to the British Government, and
evidently would have been pleased if the Com
missioners in negotiating the North Atlantic
Fisheries Treaty had included in its provisions
a practical method of protecting the fur-seal
fisheries which would inevitably be destroyed
by an unrestricted catch in the waters leading
to the breeding ground 1t is to be assumed
with fair degree of assurance that while he
may be hampered now by Canada in prehm-
mary negotiations. as he was then. he will
welcome proposition for settling the contro-
versy through the agency OF an international
commission. England is doing so much for
the Dominion in the form of subsidy-glants to
steamship lines on the Pacific coast that it can
we'll afford to enter into a cloSe-time agree
ment respecting the fur-seal. by which the
poachers will be deprived of license to destroy
the valuable fisheries Of Behrng Sea. Our
special cable dispatch indicates sincere de-
sire on the part Of the Foreign Office to effect
a diplomatic settlement.
In what spirit ought these overtmes from
the Salisbury Government to be met by the
State Department That is question which
cannot be answered without reference to the
attitude Of Congress. The Cleveland Admin
ishaton made the fatal mistake of entering
into negotiations with England respecting the
North Atlantic fisheries when the Senate by
formal resolution had expressed its d!Sapprcval
Of that method Of procedure, and when Con
gIess had defined an alternative course by
enacting two Retaliation bills. That bunder
is not likely to be epcated by the Republican
Administration. The Revised Statutes relat-
ing to Alaska express the will and deliberate
policy Of the lawmaking powers. The amend
ed Act passed at the close Of the last session
Of Congress imposed upon the Administration
the responsible duty Of protecting the fur-seal
fisheries by the issue Of proclamation OF warn
ing and the dispatch of revenue cutters to Behr-
| ing Sea- The State Department is under 0bli-
! cations. therefore, to avoid being drawn. or
entrarped into negotiations for the appoint
ment Of an international Commission without
consulting Congress, or in any event, the Sen
ate. The Cleveland Administration did not
venture to send to the Senate the nominations
of the Commissioners empowered TO confer with
Mr. Chamberlain and his associates. II adopt
| ed the ndefensible method OF appointing the
| American Commissioners q few weeks in adj
vance Of the meeting of Congress, and Of per-
sstng in regarding them AZ negot'ators OF
minor diplomatic agents. These tactics viii
be Stunned by the Republican Administration
II any method Of settlement be attempted in
the Behring Sea complications, the Senate vii
doubtless have an opportunity for considering
in advance the expedency of that policy.
| II will also be advisable il negotiations ar,