The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1890-07-24
The Diplomatic Correspond
ence Regarding the Behr-
ing Sea Troubles.
Sent to the House, and Shows
Blaines Firm Policy as Con-
trasted With Bayard's.
President Harrison Makes Use of II
Pardoning Power---0ther Capt.
tai News.
WASHINGTON, July Is.


government Of Great Britain touching the
seal fisheries Of Behriag Sea. In his st-
companying letter of transmittal to sht
president, Secretary Blaine, under date of
Bar Harbor, July 10, regrets the DELAY III
the transmission which the presiden1
directed on the 1lth inst, and says tlMt
the correspondence Is still In progress.
The correspondence includes thikts
separate papers, beginning WITH
Ia letter from Edwards. fs&t
secretary Of legation and charge IN
aifairs after Minister Vests recall. dated
August "a. 1859, and closing with one
from Secretary Blaine to Sir Juliqn
Pauncefote, the British minister, data3
July 10, 1880.
In his first letter Edwards refers 90 che
reported search and seizure of British
/ vessels In the BehrIng sea, and under the
instructions of the Marquis of Salisbury
demands that stringent instruction be
sent by the United States at the earliest
moment 10 taeir officers to prevent the re7
occurrence OF events.
The letter also refers to the fact thaI
Bayard, when secretary of state, had aH4
sured great Britain that pending settle
ment no further interference with British
vessels should take place.
/ Blaine replied that il was the earnest de-
sire of the president to come 20 q satis-
factory understanding and expressed the
belief that all the points at issue we're
capable of prompt adjustment.
The correspondence between Edwards
and Secretary Blaine was continued at
some length, and II appears that Blaine
inquired what authority there was for the
above stated assurance Of Bayard. Ed-
| wards said that IL was assurance communi-
Gated unofioially by the United States
minister in London, aud also by Bayard
TO Minister West in April, 1883.
The correspondence between Secretary
Blaine and the new British minister COM
menoed Jan. - of this year, with q very
long letter froE the secretary to Sir Julian
Pauncefote.
In this letter Blaine goes over The
whole question and says Il is the
| opinion of the president that the
vessels arrested were engaged In a pur-
suit that was in itself contra bomos
mores. Mr.. Blaine contended that ever
since this government had acquired rights
in Behriug sea she had maintained undis
| turbed possession until 1886, and that
| these rights she and Russia had estab-
lished and enforced for nearly century.
| In 1886, the secretary said, certain
i Canadian vessels asserted their right TO
enter, and by their ruthless course destroy
the fisheries. The government OF the
United States at once proceeded toscheck
this movement, which unchecked was sure
TO do great and irreparable harm.
Regarding England's claim that the seiz-
ures were made on the high seas, Blaine
said II Is doubtful whether her majesty 8
government would abide by this rule If an
attempt we're made 10 interfere with the
pearl fisheries OF Ceylon, which ex-
tends more than twenty miles
from the shore line, and have been
enjoyed by EngIand without molastation
ever since their acquisition.
Feb. 10, the British minister wrote that
his government was Wiling 70 Kdupt
a suggestion made In the course Of their
interviews that the tripartite negotia-
ton suspended in London in
1883 be resumed in Washington
and recommends to his government
certain provisional measures to remove APP
prehension OF depletion OF the seal.
Salisbury a nder date Of May 70 last,
replies TO Blaine's arguments.
Increasing the Clerical Force.
The civil service commissioners are
promptly taking advantage OF their IN
creased allowance for clerical force, and
new clerks will soon be at their desks.
There was q great need Of them, for the
work was run behind and the present force
has been overworksd with the inadequate
appropriation made last year. The COM
nissioners are much pleased By the large
number OF applicants from the south, who
were induced TO come forward by repre-
sentations of the commissioners that all
would heve an equal chance. The num-
Der of applicants from the south exceeds
the number even under the democratic sd
ministration, and the southern states viii
probably have their quotas in the depart
ment more nearly full than they have
been.
Granted Their Paraons.
Tho president has commutad TO four
months actual imprisonment the sentence
In the case Of James K. Tankford, con-
viced in Indiana Of violating the postal
laws.
ALSO commuted 10 eighteen months inn
prisonment the three years sentence OF
Geo. w. Taylor, alias Geo. Carter, con-
victed in Colorado Of bigamy.
trantsa lkaghs-es-way.
The president has approved the act
granting righs-ofsway 10 the Little Falls.
Mile Laos q Lake Superior railroad across
the Mile Lacs Indian reservation.
Have Kntersd Upon Thsar Duay.
Assistant Secretaries Of Treasury Spald-
ing and Nettleton entered upon the dis
charge os their duties this morning as
members os the board Of customs ap-
praiseEs.