The National tribune., 1890-07-31

the ukase of Gar Paul VIII, in 1899, and
acquiesced in by Great Britain, the United
States, and other maritime nations we only
protesting against the extension of those
regulations to the shore and the main ocean
below latitude $40 40/, which we did not
recognize as Russian territory. When Russia
transferred the territory to us, we succeeded
to all her rights in it. Ninety years abso-
Lutte aequiescence in those rights by Great
Britain should be sufficient to establish them
beyond doubt
2. 1t is absolutely necessary for the preser-
walton of the seal fisheries, in which the whole
civilized world is interested, that the United
States should exercise the police powers
over the sea which we claim. England adj
mits that the seal fisheries ought to be pre-
served, and that it would be an international
calamity to have them destroyed Many of
her important industries, which are depend
ent on them, would be destroyed with them.
She recognizes and acts upon the same prin-
cip!e of protection in other instances, notably
i'll the pearl fisheries of Ceylon, which are
situated some 90 miles from the nearest
shore She farms these out, and protects
the lessees from interference from others
She would do the same if the great cod
fisheries off the coast of Newfoundland, from
which SO large supply of the food of the
struction by poachers who would fish, say
with dynamite
The English Tory papers, while contend
ing that Blaine is wrong in asserting the
right of the United States to exercise
Jurisdiction beyond a marine league from
shore, frankly admit that he has overmas-
tered Salisbury in the discussion.
Now, what follows? Every patriotic
American enthusiastically supports the Adj
ministration in the stand il has taken, ard
insists that it shall not Tecede one step. 1t
is not question of party but of National
policy. Mr.. Cleveland's Administration az
hrmed our entire right TO control the Boring
Sea just as Mr.. Harrison's has. 1t refused TO
admit that there was any question rs to our
right to forbid poachers TO enter the Sea, and
TO capture those who disobeycd that prohi-
biiion. Illicit sealers were actually captured
under It's orders As n Nation we are fully
committed to that policy. We cannot re-
treat from it without disgrace and the loss
of National prestige Even if we were less
surely in the right than we are we could
not afford TO back down in the face of the
stiff bluff which England has given us. The
duty of the Administration is very plain. 1t
must send stringent orders to our cruisers 10
absolutely prevent any illegal scaling II
Canadian vessels persist in entering those
winters for the purpose of catching seals they
must be captured or driven out. If Eng
land sends war vessels there TO protect them
We must send sufficient force there to enable
our revenue cutters to carry out their in
structions.
But it will not come to this pass Eng
land has not the slightest idea of going 60
war for the sake OF a few seal poachers. She
is simply making a bluff to appease the Cana
dams. The moment she sees we are deter
mined to carry out our policy she win come
to terms, and yield the point All that is
necessary is for the Administration to be
resolute III insisting upon our rights. If il
does this, it will have the support of the
entire country, without regard to party. il
it weakens, il will be covered with deserved
iguOminy. But we are confident that it viii
not concede one ot or little of our clear
rights in those waters