Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-07-24

; mons nave Deen issued TO cruisers OF IN
United States to seize British vessels fish
ing for seals in the Behring Sea outside tn
limit of territorial waters. The grounds
upon which these violent measures AT,
taken are not communicated to her Msjes
tvs government, still remain unexplained
In view of the unexpected renewal of seix
ures, of which her Msjesty's eovernmen
previously complained, it 10 my duty I,
protect it against them, and state that il
my opinion her Majesty's government AT,
wholly unjustitied by intern ational law"
Ii appears Blaine inquired what authorit,
there was for the above stated assurance o
Bayard, as in 9 note october lith, last
Edwsrdes SAYS II WAS the assurance com
municated unofficially to his lordship b,
the | niied States Minister to London. also
by Bsyard to Minister West. in April. 1855
| Correspondence between Secretary Blain,
and the new British Minister began Janus
ry 22d, this year, with very long lettel
from the Secretary to Sir Julian Paunce
fote. The Secretary says "In the opinion
of the President. the Canadian vessels ar
rested and detained in the Behring Sea
were engaged in q pursuit that was in itself
contra boRos 0,oros, pursuit which OF
necessity, involves a serious and permanen,
injury to the rights of the Government and
the people of the united States.
| To establish this ground, it is not neces'
ssry to argue the question of the extent and
nature of the sovereignty of this govern
ment over the waters of Behring Sea, and
not necessary to explain. certainly not to
define, the powers and privileges ceded
by his imperial msjesty, the Emperor OF
| Russia. 10 the treaty by which the Alaskan
territory WAS transferred to the United
States. The weighty considerations grow
| ing out of the acquisition of that territory,
with all the rights on land and eea, insep-
| arably connected Herewith, may be safely
| left out of the view while the grounds set
forth upon which this government rests its
justification for the action complained of
by her msjesty's government.
The Secretary then speaks of the value
of the seal fisheries. which were controlled
by Russia, without interference or ques,
.ion, until the cession of Alaska to the
United States in 1867. This undisturbed
possession continued TO the United States
until 1856. The nited States govern
ment made successful efforts to improve
and preserve the fisheries, resulting in the
Iayment of more than Sla ,000 600 to Eng
l,sh lsborers for the preparation of seal
,kins and the elevation to civilization
of the ratives of the Alaskan is-
| lands. Presidents, customs, rights es.
tablished and enjoyed, either by Russis
or the United States for nearly a
century The two nations were the only
powers that owned foot of land on the
continents that bordered, or on islands in
cluded within Behring waters where seals
resort to breed Into this peaceful and Sc
cluded field of labor. whose benefits are so
equiiably shared by native Aleuts of the
Pribyloff islands, the United States and
England, certain Canadian vessels in 1888
asserted their right to enter and by ruth
less course to destroy the fisheries and
with them to destroy the resulting indus
tries which are so valuable. The Gov
ernment of the United States at once
proceeded to check this NOV
mcnt. 1t was the cause of unfeigned
surprise to the United States tn At her ms
estys government should Immediately inter
fere to defend and encourage surely to
encourage by Defending the course OF the
Canadians in disturbing an industry care
fully developed for more than 30 years uu
der the flags of Russia and United
States without interference with
public rights or private industries
of sny people. From whence did
did ships Of Canada derive right to do in
1886 that which they refrained from doing
for more than 30 years pom what grouod
did her msjesty's government defend in the
wear 1886 her course of conduct in Behring
sea which she carefully avoided since :he
discovery of that sea.
So great has been the injury to fisheries
by Canadian vessels, that whereas, the
government allowed 100 900 to be taken
annually for series of years, was now
compelled to reduce the number to 80. 900
II four years of this violation of natural
law and our neighbors right has reduced
the annual slaughter of seal by 10 per cent,
it is easy to see how short period will be
required to work the total destruction OF
the fisheries.
The ground upon viii; h her majesty
government justifies, or at least defends
the course of q Canadian vessel, rests upon
the fact that they are committing their acts
of destruction on the high seas, viz, more
than three marine leagues from the shore
line. IL 10 doubtful whether her msjesty .
government would abide by this rule if Ar
attempt were made to interfere with the
pearl fisheries in Ceylon, which extend
more than 20 miles from the shore line
which have been enjoyed BY England with
out molestation ever since their acquisition,
Nor is il credible that modes of fishing on
Grand Banks are altogether practicable
| but highly destructive. would be justified
or even permitted by Gres, Britain on the
plea of vicious acts committed more than
miles from shore.
The President does not conceive it pos
sible that her msjesty's government could
| in fact, be less Indifferent TO these evil re-
suits than is the government of the nited
| States, but hopes her msjestys government
will, after this frank expression of bis
views, more readily comprehend the posi-
t ion of the government of the nIted
States iu touching this serious question.
This Government has been ready to con
| cede much in order to concede much T.,
adjast all differences in view. and has IL
the judgement of the President air. ady
| proposed solution not only equitable bu
I generous. Thus far her msjesty's govern
inent has declined to accept the eroposa
Of the United States. The President nos
awaits with deep interest not unmixet
Nth the solicifude Of any proposition fo
the reasonable adjustment which her msj
e.ty's government may submit
The forciole resistance to which thi
government has constrained in the Behrini
sea 10, in the Presidents judgment. de
msnded. not only BY necessity of defend
ing the traditional long established rights o
the United States, bus also the riabts o
good government and good morals tn,
world over. IN this contention the govern
uent of the I nited States has no desire /
withdraw or modify the positions which |
has At any time maintained against tb
claims of the imperial government o
Russia.
The United States will not hold fros
sny nation the privileges it demanded 70
itself when Alas<a vss par. Of the Russia
Empire. Nor 10 the government Of th
United States disposed TO exercise in ;hos
possessions any lees power or authoris
than i; vas wiling to eoncede to the imps
rial government Of Russ,a when its 90,
: reignty exten led over them.
! Sir Julian Psuncefose on February 10;
addressed Blaine . letter infofDing hii
that his Government vas willing 70 ado,
!, fshe suggestion made in the couxse Of the
fatefviess that the tYipastise negotiation
suspendsd in London ia 1858 be resumed
Washington On April 3pih Sir jail,
Pauncefose wrote Blaine. in answer {, b
& lContinued on fourth page.