The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-07-24

vessels arrested and detained in Behring sea
were engaged in pursuit that was in itself
sity Involves serious and permanent injury
to the rights of the government and the
people OF the United States To estab-
lish this ground it is not necessary to
argue the question of the extent aud nature OF
the sovereignty of this government over the
waters of Behring sea; it is not necessary to
explain, certainly not TO define the powers and
privileges ceded by his imperial majesty the
emperor of Russia, in the treaty by which the
Alaskan territory was transferred to the United
States.
THE CONDITION FOR A CENTURY.
This, in brief, was the condition of the Alaska
fur seal fisheries down to the year 1885 Precs-
dents, customs and rights had been established
and enjoyed either by Russia or the United
states for nearly century. The two nations
were the only powers that owned a foot of
land on the continents that bordered on the
islands included within the Behring waters
where seals resOrted to bed. Into this peaceful
and secluded fed of labor, whose henefits were
so equitably shared by the native inhabitants of
the Pribylof islands, by the United States and
by England, certain Canadian vessels
1885 asserted their right to enter, and by
their ruthless course to destroy the fisheries
snd with them to destroy all the resulting in
dustries which are so valuable. The govern
ment of the United States ut once proceeded to
check this movemenG, which, unchecked, was
sure to work great and irreparable
harm. 1t was cause of unfeigned sur
prise to the United States that her
interfere to encourage bv defending the course
of the Canadians in disturbing an industry
which had been carefully developed for more
than ninety years under the flags of Russia
and the United States, developed in such a
manner as not to interfere with the public
rights or private industries of any people or
any other person.
1t is at this point that Secretary Blaine
asks where Canadian vessels derived their
new rights, and upon what grounds Great
Britain justified their action, refers to the
British claims in the Ceylon sea pearl fish
cries, and uses the Newfoundland fishing
banks as an illustration as above sketched.
PAUNCEFoTE's NEW TACK.
April 80 Sir Julian Pauncefote wrote
Secretary Blaine in ans to his invitation
for counter proposal for a settlement that
as the sole object Of the negotiations was
the preservation of the fur sealeries regard
less of advantage to anv particular nation
or private interest it would be strange if
there should be failure to
devise means of solving the difficulties
which had arisen. In view of
the different views held no solution would
satisfy public opinion in Canadt or Great
Britain without a full inquiry by mixed
commission Of experts. Meanwhile he was
prepared to recommend to his government
certain provisional and precautionary
measures to remove apprehension of deple-
tion Of the fur seals pending the report of
the commission.
REGULATIONS PROPOSED.
The minister says:
But in order to quiet all apprehension on that
score, would propose the following regulations:
/. That peagic sealing should be prohibited
In Behrlng seattle sea of Okhotsk and adjoining
waters during the months of May and June
and during the months of October November
and December, which may be termed the migra-
tion periods of tn fur seal.
2. That all sealing vessels should be prohib-
tied from approaching the breeding islands
within radius Of ten miles.
These regulations would put stop to two
practices complained Of as tending to extermi
nate the seals, firstly, slaughter of the female
seals with young during the migration periods,
especially in the narrow passes of the Aleutian
Islands; secondly the destruction of female
seals by marauders surreptitiously landing on
the breeding islands und T cover of dense fogs
which almost continuously prevail in that locality
during the summer.
The above pr posals are, of course, sub
mitted dd referendum, an it only now re-
mains for me to commend them to your favor
able consideration and to that of the Russian
minister
THE QUESTION OF RIGHT.
The Marquis of Salisbury, under date of
May % last, in a letter to the British min
lister, after saying that the negotiations
between Secretary Blaine and the British
minister afford strong reason to hope that
that the question is IN fair way toward a
satisfactory adjustment, undertakes to reply
60 Secretary Blaines arguments relative to
the atement that the pursuers were justi-
he'd by the fact that they were ZEN
gagged in pursuit tnat is in
itself contra bonOS mores-a pur-
suit which of necessity involves serious
and permanent injury to the rights of the
government and people of the United
States. The Marquis says it is obvious
that two questions are involved: First,
whether the pursuit and kill of fur seals
In certain parts of the open sea is from the
point of view of international morality an
offense contra bonos nloreS;; and secondly.
whether if such be the case this fact justfies
seizure on the high seas and subsequent con-
fscatlon in time of peace of private ves-
sells of friendly nation.
The marquis argues at length against
both OF these propositions.
JUsTIFIC ALTON DENIED.
He says in conclusion:
The negotiations now being carried on at
Washington prove the readiness of her mai
esty's government to consider whether any
special international agreement is necessary
for the protection of the fur seal industry In
its absence they are unable 10 admit that the
case put forward on behalf of the United States
affords any sufficient Justification for the forci-
BILE action already taken by them against peace
full subjects of her majesty engaged in
lawful operations on the high seas.
1.-THE President" says Mr.. Blaine,
sis persuaded that all friendly natio IS
will concede to the United States
the same rights and privileges on
the lands aud in the waters of
Alaska which the same friendly nations
always conceded to the empire of Russia
Her majesty's government has no diff
Guilty in making such a concession. In
strict accord with the views which.
previous to the present controversy,
were consistently and successfully main
tanned by the United States, they have
whenever occasion arose opposed all claims
to exclusive privileges in non-loyal water of
Behring sea. The rights they have de-
manded have been those of free navigation
and fishing in waters which, previous to
their own acquisition of Alaska, the United
States declared to be free and open to all
foreign vessels. That is the extent of their
present contention, and they trust that on
consideration of the arguments now pre-
sented to them the United States will recog-
nize its justice and moderation"
BEIEF EPIsTLE.
The next letter in the. series is very brief.
1t is from the British minister to Secretary
Blaine, under date of May %, and In 1t the
minister says that as the Sec etary has con-
firmed the newspaper statements that reve-
nue. cutters have been ordered to Behring
sea to seize foreign sealers, he is instructed
to say that formal protest against such
interferenca with British vessels will be for