The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-07-24
OUR RIGHTS
In Behrilg Sea Set
Forth By
SECRETARY BLAINE.
The Correspondence With Great
p,ifo,,,
The Correspondence With Great
Britain.
THE PROS AND CONS OF THE CASE
Argued Fr om the American and English Point
OF View-How Matters Stand
at Present

dJ fTtSSui-
WASHINGTON. July 23.-The President to-
day sent to the House of Representatives
in answer 20 resolution introduced by
Representative Hit the official correspon-
dence between the United States
and the government of Great Bri-
tain touching the seal fisheries Of Ben
ring sea. In the accompanying letter of
aransmittal to the President Secretary
Blaine, under date of Bar Harbor, July 10,
regrets the delay in the transmission which
the President directed on the 18th inst,
and says the correspondence is still in pro-
gress.
The correspondence includes thirty
separate papers beginning with the letter
from Edwardes first secretary of legation
and charge d. affaires after Minister
Vests recall, dated August "a, 1889 and
closing with one from Secretary Blaine to
Sir Julian Paunceforte British minister,
dated July 10, 1890.
The opening letter from E lwardes SAYS
he is instructed by his government to call
attention TO the fact that repeated rumors
Rave reached the Brit Sh government b Il
seized by United States cruisers in Behr-
irg sea outside ths three mile limit, and
ashs the United States to send string
ms ructlons to its officers to prevent the
posi- bility Of such occurrences taxing place
IN accordance with the assurances OF Secre
tary Bayard that, pending negotiations, no
such interference should take place, and
auding that Sir Julian PauuceforJe on his
rsturn TO Washington would be prepared
10 discuss the whole question.
To this Blaine replied on the same day
that some rumorS, probably based on the
truth, had reached the government of the
United States, but that up to that date
there had been no official communication
received on the subject. He adds: alt has
been, and is the earnest desire of the Presi-
dent of the United States to have such an
adjustment as shall remove all possible
ground of misunderstanding with her
majesty's government concerning existing
troubles in Behrlng sea; and the President
believes the responsibility for such delay in
Sucn adjustment cannot be properly charged
TO the government of the United States
In the opinion of the President, the points
at issue between the two governments are
capable of prompt adjustment on basis
entirely honorable to both.''
September u last, Edwardes asked when
he might expect an answer to the request
his government made August n, that in
SIruCOlOnS De sent 10 Alaska 10 prevent the
probability of seizure of British ships in
Behring sea. He says recent reports OF
seizures having taken place are causing
much excitement both in England and
Canada
Blaine, September IA, replied that he
supposed her majesty's government was
satisfied of the Presidents earnest desire
to come to a friendly agreement; that
official instructions to Sir Julian Paunce-
forte TO proceed Immediately after his
arrival in October to a full discussion OF
the question removed all necessity for pre-
1imiuary correspondence touching its
merits. "a categorical response would
have been, and still is, impracticable anC
unjust to this government and misleading
TO the government of her majesty There
fore ii is the judgement of the Presiden,
that the whole subject could more wisely
be remanded TO d formal discussion. Sc
hear at hand. 1t is proper, however. Il
add that any instructions sent to Behrin!
sea- at the time of your original reques
would have failed to reach those waters be
fore the departure of the vessels of The
United States.n
The next communication is a telegram
from Lord Salisbury 70 Edwardes favoring
the proposed international agreement for 3
close season on the sealing grounds. II
another letter TO Edwardes, October > tn,
marquis transmits copies of af1idavits bear
ing on the seizure of the British sealer!
Black Diamond and Triumph by the United
States revenue cutter Rush. He says: II
is apparent from these afldayits that th'
vessels were seized at a distance FROM tn,
land far in excess of the limit of maritime
jurisdiction which any nation can claim b,
international law. Cases similar in th
respect TO those of the ships Caroline, On
ward and Thornton were seized by a vesse
Of the United States outside of territorial
!
that the lllegality Of this was brought Z
the attention of the United States
and though no official reply wa
made, Bayard gave an unofficial assur
ance that no moro seizures would b
madepending negotiations, and says: 'Tha
in view of the unexpected renewal @
the seizures of which her majesty's govern
ment had previously complained, it is IN
duty TO protest against them and state tina
in the opinion of Der majesty's government
they are wholly unjustitied by inuernationa
law
The correspondence between Blaine ant
the new British minister began January ,.
this year, with very long letter from tn
secretary TO Sir Julian Pauncefore. The SEE
rotary opened with the acknow ledgemeu
OF the receipt of papers bearing on til
seizures made by the Rush. He says: 81
the opinion of the President the Cana
dian vessels arrested and detaine
in Behring sea were engage
In pursuit in itself contra bon 0s moges,
pursuit which of necessity involves seriou
and permanent injury TO the rights of tn
government and people of the Unite
States. To establish this ground it is nc
necessary to argue the question Of the exteIi
and nature OF the sovereignty of this gov
eminent over the waters OF BehriDg SCI
1t is not necessary 10 explain, certainly 10
TO define, the powers and privileges cede
by has imperial majesty, the Emperor c
Russia, ia the treaty by which the Alaska
territory was transferred to the Unite
States. The weighty considerations grow
ing out Of the acquisition Of that territory
with all the rights on land and sea irr6
parably connected Herewith, may be safel
left out of view, while the grounds are st
forth upon which this government rest
its Justification for the action compliance
Of by her naiesty's government
The secretary then speaks of the value c
the seal nsheries which were controlled b
!. Russia without interference or questio
until the eession Of Alaska to the Unite
States in 1861. This undisturbed possession
continued 10 the United States until lSot