Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1890-08-01
IANoAsTER. PA. Aug. i, 1880.
Our Flag Banished From BchrInr Sea.

The situation in our Behring sea seal
fishery is not at all calculated to make
the American eagle scream with pride.
1t seems that score Of owners of British
sealing schooners calmly chartered
small American steamship to go up TO
Shumigan island, in the North Pacific,
and there receive from the British seal
en whatever seal skins they may have
taken. The captain of this vessel, which
bears the appropriate name Of "The
Mischief" reports on his return to
British Columbia, that he took
nearly thirteen thousand skins from
nineteen vessels flying the British flag,
and that he spoke five others, also
under the British flag, with two thous-
and more skins. No schooners under
our flag were seen, and this American
cap.ain declares that not one American
J schooner will venture in Behring sea
unless under the British flag for
fear of seizure by our revenue cutters.
The British vessels when relieved of their
cargoes steamed merrily off again to-
wards Behring sea to resume their ex-
termination of the seals in spite Of the
United States. This state Of things
would be ridiculous If IL were not
humiliating. Our revenue vessels are
practically policeing the sea for
the benefit of the Canadian seal
pirates, and the latter seem to
feel perfectly safe. Can It be
that the administration has suffered it.
self to be brow-beaten by the presence
of British war vessels on that coast,
and has issued instructions for the lem
lent treatment of ships under the Brit
ish flag while enforcing the proclama-
tion against ships flying the stars and
stripes Although nothing is said as to
the locality where these fifteen thousand
skins were taken, 1t may be admitted as
probable, that they were all secured in
the North Pacific ocean, where our gov
ernment has never claimed the right 10
protect the seals, and where the sealing
fleet usually begins the work of slaugh-
ter, killing about. five animals for every
hide taken. But this part of the season
Ii very short, and the droves of seals
must be followed North into Behring's e
sea or the work abandoned. The cap
tain and crew Of the Mischief declare
that the whole fleet We're sailing for the
prohibited waters when last seen, and
that Canadian seal merchants on board
the Mischief, told them to go ahead and
fear nothing.
II Is known that some thirty ships
under the British flag have boldl,
sailed for waters where our revenu,
cutter Rush is supposed to be cruisin,
to enforce President Harrison's proclaim
alton. We may soon learn Just wha
instructions have been given to tha
vessel. II we have rights we should
assert and fearlessly maintain them, 1
We have none we should not harrass ou
own commerce with worthless procla
nations.
1t IL high time that this wobbling ad
ministration gave some small evidenc,
Of backbone in its foreign policy. l
has patched up the Samoan question il
such clumsy, make-shift fashion tha
late dispatches tell of disorders there an,
urge the necessity of the formation of
proper government. II has timidl,
recognized Brazil as republic an,
Joined England in bullying poor littl
Portugal. 1t has shouted loud an,
valucless protestations of fraternity +
Spanish America aud now may shoy
the world that ., nation that boasts
Monroe doctrine cannot even uphold IL
own dignity in the face of few British
war ships. For the presence of stron
British feet is the only point of differ
ence between the Behring's sea situo
ton now and In 1883, when our cruiser
seized the seal pirates no matter whs
flag they flew.