Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-24
on behalf of the United States In regard to seal


nunting.
A FORMAL PROTEST ENTERED
The next letter in the series is very bTief' -
from the British Minister to Mr.. Blaine. uhue.
date Of May q, and in it the Minister says tnap
as the Secretary has confirmed the newspaper
statements that revenue cutters nave peen
ordered to Behring Sea to seize foreign seaiers,
against such interference with British Vesseis
will be forwarded without delay.
Secretary Blaine's response three days later
is even more brief. being simple acknowl-
edgment of receipt of the letter. Later. how
ever ION the 29th) he wrote Sir Julian that IN
turn he is instructed by the President to pro-
test against the course of the British Govern
ment in authorizing encouraging and protect
ing vessels which are not only interfering with
American rights in the Behring Sea, but which
are doing violence as well to the rights Of the
civilized world.
June IA. however, the British Minister, with
regret failing to secure favorable response,
presented the formal protest OF the British
Government. 1t reads as follows: Her Bri-
tannic Maiestys Government have learned with
great concern from notices which have ap-
peared in the press and the general accuracy
of which has been confirmed by Mr.. Blaine's
statements to the undersigned, that the Gov
eminent of the United States have issued In
structions to their revenue cruisers about 10 pc
dispatched to Behring Sea. under whlcn tne
vessels cf British subjects will again pe ex poseo,
in the prosecution OF their legltlmate lnousdy
on the high seas, to
UNLAWFUL INTERFERENCE
at the hands of American officers. Her
Britannia Majesty's Government are anxious
to cooperate to the fullest extent OF their
power with the Government of the United
States in such measures as may be found to De
expedient for the protection ofthe seal fisheries
They are at the present moment engaged N
examining, in concert with the Government OF
the United States, the best method OF arriving
A-N mi inf
cannot admit the right of the United States OF
their own sole motion to restrict ior
this purpose the freedom of uavlgation
of Behring Sea, which the United States
have, themselves, in former years con.
vincingly and successfully vindicated
nor to enforce their municipal legislation
against British vessels on the high seas beyond
the limits of their territorial jurisdiction. Her
Britannia Majesty's Government Is therefore
unable to pass over without notice the public
of an intention on the part OF
the Government of the United States to renew
the acts of interference with British vessels
outside the territorial waters of the
United States, of which they had previously had
to complain. The undersigned ls, in consequences,
reference, and TO declare thnt Her Britain.
mic Maiesfy's Government must hold tho
Government of the United states responsible
for the consequences that may ensuc from
ncIs which are contrary TO the established
principles of International Inv. The under
signed has the honor to renew to Mr., Blaine
the assurances of his highest consideration.
JULIAN PAUNCEFoTE."
ANOTHER OFFER MADE.
The Minister next June q, replies to Secre-
tary Blaines proposition looking to a proclama-
ton by Her Majesty's Government that British
vessels shall not enter Behring Sea the coming
season. The Minister writes that Lord Sails
bury says that the Presidents request presents
difficulties which would pre-
clude Her Majesty's Government from acced-
ing to it, except as part Of general scheme for
the settlement of the Behring Sea controversy,
and on certain conditions which would justify
the assumption by Her Majesty's Government
of the grave responsibility involved in the pro-
posal. These conditions are:
First-That the two governments agree forth
with to refer to arbitration the question of the
legality of the action of the United States
Government in seizing or otherwise interfer-
ing with British vessels engaged in the Beh-
ring Sea, outside of territorial waters, during
the years 1885, 1887 and 1889.
Second-That pending the award. all inter-
ference with British sealing vessels shall abso-
lutely cease.
Third-That the United States Government
If the award should be adverse to them on the
question of legal right. will compensate Brit
ish subjects for the losses which they may sus-
tain py reason of their compliance with the
British proclamation.
Such, says the Minister, are the three con-
iitions on which 1t is Indispensable in the
view of Her Maiesty's Government, that the
issue of the proposed proclamation should be
based.
THE CLOSING COMMUNICATIONS.
The thirtieth and last letter OF the mass Of |
which would, If printed entire, |
Ill over 20 newspaper columns, was addressed |
~ Mr.. Blaine to Sir Julian Pauncefote from |
Bar Harbor last Saturday. In it the Secretary
ays:
al am instructed by the President to say that
he United States is willing to consider all the
Of April 16. 1885 as cancelled, SO
ar as American rights may be concerned. This
Government will ask Great Britain to adhere
'nly to the agreement made between Lord
salisbury and Mr.. Phelps on the 18th Of FEB
uary 1888. That was an agreement made di-
ectly between the two Governments. and did |
lot include the rights of Russia. Asking Lord
Salisbury 10 adhere to the agreement of Feb
uary Is, We leave the agreement of April 10 to
,e maintained, If maintained at ALL by Russia,
or whose cause and for whose advantage 1t
vas particularly designed"
Mr.. Blaine also refers to Lord Salisbury's
tatement that political events in the United
states had caused an interruption of negotia-
ions and not a Canadian objection. and closes
he volumlnous correspondence as follows:
81 am Justified in assuming that Lord Sails
Jury cannot recur to the remark of Mr.. Phelps
8 one of the reasons for breaking of the me-
citation, because the negotiation was in actual
rogress for more than four months after the
Hdo ludoos ano u1Is Z uol ps uikusc14 LOOk |
large part in it
A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION.
"Upon this recital of facts am unable to re-
all or in any way qualify the statement which
made in my note of June 4, to the effect that
ord Salisbury abruptly closed the negotiation
ecause the Canadian Government objected
nd that he assigned no other reason whatever.
ord Salisbury expresses the belief that even
the view have taken Of these transactions
Q accurate they would not bear out
be argument which | found upon them.
he argument to which Lord Salisbury
sfers is, ] presume, the remonstrance which
iade by direction of the President against the
hange of policy by Her Maiesty's Government
ithout notice and against the wish of the
nited States. The interpositiun of the Brit
h province against the conclusion of a con
ention between two nations which, accol ding
, Mr.. Phelps. Had been virtually agreed
pom except as to Details was, in the Presi.
snt's belief, grave injustice TO ithe Govern
ent of the United States"
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