, 1890-07-24

sents copy of telegram from Lord
Salisbury, in which he regrets that the
president should think him wanting In
consideration, but that IL is beyond the
power OF his governments 10 exclude
British or Canadian ships from any, pof-
ton Of the high seas even for an hour.
without legislative enactment
In reply, June IL, Secretary Blame
SAYS that this govern ment would pe
satisfied if Lord Salisbury would by
proclamation simply request British
vessels TO abstain from entering behring
sea for the present season, in order TO
give full time for an impartial ncgotia-
ton.
sir Julian, June II, writes Mr.. Blaine
that he has Informed Lord Salisbury
that Secretary Blaine could not give
assurance that sealing vessels would not
be interfered with during the negotia-
lions, and expressed the hope that tue
decision was not final, and that, while
mere was yet time, the commanders oi
the United States revenue cruisers would
be instructed TO abstain.
A FORMAL PROTEST
June 16. however. the minister, with re
gret for falling to secure Q favorable reply,
presents formal protest TO the British
government In the protest, he says, in
part. Tho British government can not
admit the right of the United states, OF
their own sole notion, to restrict the
freedom of navigation Of Behring sea.
nor To enforce legislation against Brit
ish vessels on the high seas. Hes Bri-
tannic majesty's government Is, there
lore, unable to pass over without notice
the public announcement OF the inten-
tion on the part of the United States to
renew the acts Of interference with Brit
ish vessels outside Of the territorial
waters, Of which they had previously
TO complain. The minister Is in con-
sequence instructed formally to protest
against such interferences, and to de-
clare that her Britannia majesty's gov
ernuent must hold the government OF
the United States responsible for the
consequences that may ensue from acts
which are contrary to the established
principles of International law"
The minister on June "a replies TO
Secretary Biaine's proposition looking
TO proclamation by her majesty gov
eminent that British vessels shall not
enter Behriug see the coming season.
The minister writes that Lord Sails
bury says the request presents coDstitu-
tionai difficulties which would preclude
her matcsty's governments from acced,
Ing to it, except as a part OF the general
scheme for the settlement OF the contro-
versy, and on certain conditions, which
are that the government agree forth
with to refer to arbitration the question
OF the legality OF the action ofthe United
States in seizing, or otherwise interier-
ing with, British vessels engaged in
Behring sea, outside of territorial waters,
during 1886, 1887 and 1889: that pending
the decision ali interference with British
sealing vessels shall absolutely cense;
that the United States, II the award
should be adverse to them, shall COM
pensate the British subjects for the loss
es which they. may have sustained by
reason of their compliance with the
British proclamation.
In the next communication, dated the
1st of the present month, Lord Salisbury,
referring to Mr.. Blaine's criticism upon
the abrupt close of the London negOtia-
tions, quoted from a state ment made to
him by United States Minister Phelps as
follows: "Under the peculiar political
circumstances of America at this
moment and with a general election
pending. Ii would be of little use, and
indeed partly impracticable, to conduct
any negotiation to its issue before the
election had taken place"
Az ERRos EoUs QUOTATION.
On the last OF June Secretary Blaine
addressed TO the British navy long let
ter, in answer to Lord Salisbury's com
munication. in which tho latter stated
that Secretary John Quincy Adams pro-
tested against Russia's claim to exclusive
Jurisdiction over Behring sea. Sscre-
tary Blaine says THE quotation
which Lord Salisbury makes is unfortu-
nately q most defective, erroneous and
misleading one. The conclusion is
separated from the premises. A comma
is turned into a period and an important
qualification as to time is entirely
erased without even suggestion that IT
had ever formed part Of the text and
out of eighty -four words logically and
inseparably connected, thirty five are
dropped from Mr.. Adams paragraphs in
Lord Salisburys quotation"
The secretary SAYS further: Neither
by the treaty with Russia OF 1925. nor its
renewal of ls43, nor by its second re-
ne wal in 1883, did Great Britain gair
any right to take seals in Behring sea-
bition upon her, which she steadily ex-
pected so long as Alaska was Russian
province. 1t Is for Great Brit
ain now to show by what
! law she gained rights in that sea, after
| the transferrence of its sovereignty to
the United States. Between the time of
| the treaty of 1925 and the cession of
Great Britain never affirmed the rights
OF her subjects TO capture seals In Behr-
| ing lsea, as q matter of fact her sub
jects did not during that long period at
tempt to catch seal In Behring sea.
am justified, therefore. in re-
peating the question which addressed to
her majestys government on the 22d
OF January, and which still remains un-
| answered-viz. Whence did the ships
of Canada derive the right TO do in 1886
that which they had refrained from
doing for nearly ninety years? Upon
what grounds did her majesty's govern
ment defend in the year 1886 course of
conduct in Bchring sea which had been
carefully avoided since the discovery
of that sea? BY what reasoning did
her majesty government conclude that
an oct may be committed with impunity
against the rights Of the United States
which had never been attempted against
the same rights when held by the Rus
sian empire"
THE LAST LITTER
The thirtieth and last letter of the
correspondence, which would, If printed
entire, fill over twenty newspaper col
umns, was addressed by Mr.. Blaine to
Sir Julian Pauncefote, from
Bar Harbor last Saturday.
In IL the secretary says: II am in
structed by the president to say that
the United States is willing to consider
all the proceedings Of April is, 1888, as
Cancelled, SO far ss American rights
may be concerned. This government
will ask Great Britain to adhere only TO
the agreement made between Lord Sal
isbury and Mr.. Phelps the 25th Of Feb
rusry, 1888"
Mr.. Blaine also refers to Lord Sails
bury's statement that political events In