Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-07-24
THE BeHRlNe SEA MATTER.
Abstract of the Correspondence Thereon
Between This Country and England.
Iny tolsgraph 10 the Dc atch.l


WAsHNaroS. July 23.-The President to-
dav sent TO the House. in answer TO the
resolution introduced by Mr.. HIT, the
official correspondence between the Gov
eminent Of the United States and the Gov
eminent OF Great Britain touching the seal
fisheries on Behring's Sea. IL has the ac-
comuAnylng letter of transmittal 10 the
President. Secretary Blaine, under date
of Bar liarbor. July 18th. regrets the delay
IN tho transmission, which the President
directed IA tho 18th instant and saws that
che correspondence Is still in progress.
TWENTY COLUMNS LONG.
The corrospondenceinclud thirty sepa-
sate papers. beginning with q letter from
Mr.. Idwardes, First Secretary of Legation
and charge d'Affairs after Minister Vests
recall. dated August "A, 1889. and closing
with one from Secretary Blaine 10 Sir Ju-
liam Taunccfote. the British Minister, dated
July 10, 1890. making an aggregate OF about
twenty newspaper columns.
TIE BEGINNING.
The correspondence begins with re-
quest from Charge q AiIaires Edwardes that
the United States cruisers discontinue
seizures Of British sealers. Mr.. Blaine re-
Piled that it was too late, as seveTa, yes.
hels bad already sailed. Lord Salisbury
suggests renewal Of negotiations looking
10 al AlANIIlNihlAA uElf'llitA4ts anNAuAtilE
Russia, and protests against the seizures
nfter the official assurances Of Secretary
nayard that they should cease pending
discussion Nlr. Blame replied that the
Canadian vessels were infictlng serious in
Jury that our absolute rights TO the seal
fisheries were undisiurbed and unques-
toned until 1886. and that inroads Of the
Canadians We're eXtirpatiug the seals. He
a. surprised that England should defend
IA L. mat suAnl1 la .Hnnn NJ
attempt were made 20 interfere with the
Ccylouose sea-pearl fisheries or TO destroy
the fish on the Newfoundland banks by
dynamite. which MIR. Blaine SAYS would
parallel the Canadian case and which - the
next step 10 piracy. He asks for q propo-
Bltiou from England.
SUGGESTION or A COMMISSION.
The British Minister suggests the mixed
commission, and meanwhile suggests q
temporary closing OF the seal waters IN
behring's Sea. Lord Salisbury, replying,
denies that sea-sealing Is internationally
immoral OF that IL justibes seizures from
friendly nation. He cites the attitude OF
President Tyler, denying the right of de-
tention except for piracy and also recalls
the slaye-tTade agreement. He reasserts
the fright of free commerce on the high
seas and saws that the United States in
sisted on its rights as against Russias
Alaskan claims
pauncefote next warns Blaine that u
formal protest Is coming, TO which Blame
replies by protest against the course OF
the British Government interfering with
American rights, and declares that Sails
bury had previously agreed TO adopt
regulations which had been practi-
cally settled, but had subordinsted ne,
gOtiations TO Canadian desires, making all
direct negotiations between the United
States and Great Britain only loss Of
time. iie saws the close season proposed
would be ill-timed and Intellectual, and
contrasts it with Salisbury'e original pro-
position. changed st the wish Of Canada.
lie saws the United States is asked to have
herrights determined by a British province;
and asks II the agreement with Englanu
should be broken at the instance OF Cali,
fornis. which would be similar case, and
proposes that British vessels be excluded
from Behring'S sea this season 10 give time
for negotiation, OF that Salisbury apply ms
original proposition for the Same time.
Pauneefote declines such an extreme
measure, and Blaine retorts that II came
from Salisbury himself. Salisbury replies
that he has no power 10 exclude vessel,
from the high seas without legislation. and
denies the use Of the language attributed
10 him. Blaine suggests proclamation.
A PROTEST PROM PAuNcEroTG.
Psuncefote next presents O formal pro
test denying the right asserted by ths
United States and declaring that the Bri
iish Government must hold the United
States Government responsible for ths
consequences that may ensus from th.
scts witch are contrary TO the established
principles Of international law. He fol
lows by agreeing to issue . proclamation
on tho condition that the question OF thu
legality of the seizures be referred TO arb
trstiop; that meanwhile interference will
6>stss VIII esnpsnsats British subiects to