Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-07-31
BEHRING SEA DISPUTE.
The Entire Correspondence Laid he.
fore Congress-

-1araN = 10 NI -
WAsHINGToN, July 23.-The Presi-
dent to-day sent 10 the House In an
swer to the resolution introduced by
Representative Hit, the offlcial CORES.
pondence between the Government OF
the United States and the Government
Of Britain touching the seal fisheries OF
the Behring sea.
The correspondence includes thirty
eight seperate papers, beginning with q
letter from Mr.. Edwards, first secretary
Of legation and charge d'afairs after
Minister Vests recall, 1880
In his first letter dated August %,
1889, Mr.. Edwards refers to the report
ed search and seizure of British vessels
IN Behring sea and under instructions
of MARQUIS of Salisbury that stringent
instructions be sent by the U. 8. at the
earliest moment to their officers to
prevent q reocurrence Of such events.
The letter also refers TO the fact that
Mr.. Bayard when Secretary Of State,
had assured Great Britain that, pending
the settlement, no further interference
to British vessels should take place.
Mr.. Blaine replied that 1t was the
earnest desire Of the President to come
TO q satisfactory understanding, and ex-
pressed the belief that all points at Is
sue were cabable Of prompt adjust
ment.
The correspondence between secreta-
ry Blaine and Mr.. Edwards was con-
tinued at some length and IL appears
that Mr.. Blaine inquired what authors
ty there was for the above stated assur-
ance Of Mr.. Bayard.
Mr.. Edwards says that II was an as
surance communicated unofiicially by
the United States ministerin London,
and also by Mr.. Bayard to Minister
West In April, 1888.
The correspondence between Secre-
tafy Blaine and the new British miniss
ter BEGAN january 70 or this year with
very long letter fr0m the Secretary to
Sir Julian Pauncefote.
In this letter Mr.. Blaine goes over
the whole question and says 1t Is the
opinion OF the President that the ves-
sells arrested were engaged in q pursuit
that was in itself contrs bonos mofes.
Mr.. Blaine contended that ever since
this Government acquired rights in
Behring sea she maintained undisturb-
ed possession until 1885, and that these
rights she and Russia had established
and enjoyed for nearly century.
In 1886 certain Canadian vessels as
serted their right to enter and by their
ruthless course to destroy the fisheries.
The Government Of the United States
at once proceeded to check this move
ment, which, unchecked, was sure to
do great and irreparable harm.n
Regarding England's claim that the
seizures were made on the high seas,
Mr.. Blaine says 1t Is doubtful whether
her majesty's government would abide
by this rule If the attempt were made
to interfere with the pearl fisheries of
Ceylon, which extended more than
twenty miles from the shore line, and
have been enjoyed by England with
out molestation ever since their acqui-
sition. 80
February 1st the British minister
wrote that his government was willing
to adopt the suggestion, made in the
course Of their interviews, that the
tripartite negotiation suspended in
London in 1888 be resumed in Wash
ington, and recommended to his gov
ernment certain provisional measures
to remove apprehension of depletion of
the seal. Salisbury under the date of
May I'D last, replies to Mr.. Blaine's
arguments.
That is the extent of their present
contention, and they trust that in con-
alteration of the arguments now pres
ented to them the United States will
recognize its justice aud moderation. 81
The next letter in the series is very
h.;of Tt 80 from, tho Rn;kash v,niUssfar -