New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-07-28


SHE PLAINLY CONCEDED TO RUSSIA WHEN
ALASKAN SOVEREIGNTY WAS LODGED
IN THE CzAR-LoRD sALIsBURY'S
STRANGE IGNORANCE OF THE
FACTS CONCERNING THE
ADAMS NEGOTIATIONS.
Washington July 27.-In the abstract OF the
Bchring Sea correspondence sent out by the Asso-
ciated Press Secretary Blanes mastery refu alton
of Lord Salisburys claim that the United States
had once disputed Russa's sovereignty in Behrng
Sea was given briefly that no adequate idea
could be got OF its overwhelming character or
of its importance in the present controversy.
This is not remarkable, for the correspondents
was very long, and the work of analyzing and
reducing it had to be done in a few hours. But
this letter in its entirety ought TO be in the
possession of every one interested in tie Behrng
Sea situation. 1t is in every way superb per-
fOrmance. When the negotiations opened Mr.
Blaine drove straight at the heart of the dispute
and brought England face 10 iace with the weak
point in her II must he remembered that
Secretary Bayard had already endeavored 10 accom-
plish the protection of the seal by an international
agreement. He had avoided any assertion OF
sovereignty in the Sea, and had offered England
an easy way Of settling the difficulty without COM
peing her to admit our exclusive jurisdiction.
Lord Salisbury, after admitting the truth Of
Mr.. Bayard's arguments as 10 the necessity Of
forbidding pelagic sealing, and after agreeing
with Minister Phelps 10 a satisfactory treaty,
was suddenly called off, so TO speak, by Canada
the greater overrued by the less. lie suspended
the negotiations, and Mr.. Bayard's excellent and
amcablc efforts were gone for nothing.
II was at this point tLat the case was turned
over TO the Harrison Administration. Mr. Blaines
examination of the controversy revealed 10 him
fatal weakness in Great Britains claims She
was endeavoring 10 make it out that the United
States lacked powers and rights which she had
never questioned but indeed had actually adj
mited to Russia when Alaskan sovereignty was
LODGED in the Gar. From the days Of Wins Behr-
ing's discoveries until she sold Alaska and its sea
to the United States, Russia had claimed and had
exercised those rights and powers. Nobody had
said her nay, and for seventeen years after they
came by purchase to us, we had claimed and eX-
crcised them and nobody had said Ms nay. Now,
after all these years, Great Britain suddenly in
sistS that they are illegally exercised, ard Slr.
Blane's first letter an effort To learn what
had occurred 70 induce England TO change her at
titude and what right she could show for such
change.
Lord Salisburys reply was grave blunder
Perhaps Mr. Blaine rather anticipated II. for in the
questions he propOunded he had used expressions
which invited the blunder il Lord Salisbury chose
to make it. Instead of saying simply that we
should expect from England an acknowledgement
! Of all the rights she had conceded 10 Russia. Mr..
Blaine also said that we would admit 10 England
all the rights we had ever denied to Russia. 1t
may be that this was generosity, but 1t looks
! like craft. Ii opened the way for Lord Salisbury
| to do just what he did do. and he did II with \
distinct air OF triumph as If he thought he were
doing something vastly clever. Mr. Baine's an
swer which is prodl ccd in full below. undoubtedly
convinced his Lordship TO tie contrary lie had
made sad mistake
LORD SALISBURY QUOTES FROM JOHN
Il