New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-07-24
THE BEHRTNG SEA PAPERS.

THE BEHRINtr sra IHf LHr'
The Bchring Sea correspondence was gwen
out by the President yesterday, and liberal
extracts from il are printed conspicuouSly IN
The TRIBUNE this morning. They Will be
read by Americans with profound satisfaction.
If indisputable fact and memorable logic avail
ANYTHING with the statesmen of Downing Street
we shall not be troubled much longer with
this vexinq ouestion. Mr. Blaine has done
many things wonderfully well during his re-
markabe career of public service, but the ca
pacities which have aroused the pride and won
the confidence of his cOuntrymcn have never
been more strikingly displayed than in this
cOrrespondence Its historical narrative has a
most important relation to the present phase
of the case. not only because of the light 1t
throws upon the nature of our rights, but also
because of the contrast IT enables us to draw DE-
tween Engands attitude toward Russia and her
attitude toward us Mr. BlalneS clear grasp Oh
the facts his brilliant recital OF them. his mas
terly grouping of the circumstances which rem
der this case unique and place it beyond the
reach of the ordinary laws relating to fisheries
on the high seas. his luminous metaphors and
relentless comparisons. combine TO give q
singular power TO his argument.
TUE TRIBUNEs readers are already well ac-
duainted with the facts and principles upon
which the United States base their claim to
the ownership of the Pribilof seal and to the
right of protecting them against pelaglc slaugh-
ter While Russia was the sovereign OF Alaska
the situation in Behring Sea was controlled by
an exceedingly simple process. She warned
her neighborS that these waters were mare
clausum, and no desire was anywhere mani
tested to dispute that claim. Her dominion
was supreme for two centuries Whatever
Russia had she sold 70 us, and Mr. Blaine may
we'll desire to know by what processes England
arrives at the conclusion that she is at liberty
TO invade rights held by this republic which
she did not dare to chdHtnge so long a they
resided in the Russian Car. But, although
his curiosity on this point is very pertinent
Mr. Blaine properly intcipretS the spirit 0i the
American people when he cndcavorS To reach
the Judgment and conscience OF England by
assertions more gracious than that of exclusive
jurisdiction in BehIing Sea. Whatever our
rights. we certainly have no desire 20 interfere
with ordinary commerce there. We bought
those seal we paid for them; we have nour-
Shed and protected them; our people here ana
in Alaska obtain living from them; they arc
source of National revenue-and BRUSH
statesmen are unwontedly dull if they imagine
that we are going TO lose all this simply TO
enable a few persons in British Columbia, with
ont right or interest 10 wrcst illegal fortunes
during the few years that remain before they
shall have utterly eXtermnatcd the seal herd
This will not be tolerated and Lord Salisbury
cannot too promptly convince himself OF that
fact.
Mr.. Blaine has appropriately characterized
the singular conduct of the British Cabinet IN
these negotiations. We regret 10 be compelled
to say that it has not been candid conduct by
any means. The business Of our position was
fully conceded by Lord Salisbury when he came
TO an agreement with Minister Phelps in 1887,
and his recession from that agreement con
clusively proves that England Is not looking at
the merits of the controversy, but only at the
Canadian diSpleasurc which she anticipates aS
the result Of u tair and honorable settlement
The United States are tired OF having Their
interests held in jeopardy while England ana
Canada, the one responsible but lacking the
courage of candOr. and the other lrrc'pOn-
sible and all the bolder on that account, are
dealing with them and with each other at cross
purposes. Mr. Blaine does well 10 Intimate
that this sort Of thing cannot 90 OH. England
knows that hcr interests accord with our rights.
She knows that our rights arc even clearer and
stronger than those she is asserting III the Gull
of Manar She knows she is in no position to
dispute a single one OF the claims so ably en-
| forced by Mr. Blaine, and she knows that her
attempt 10 sustain Canad1'S unlawful behavior
| is a dangerous farce We are justified III en-
| tering "A serious protest against it. Its effect
| can only be unfortunate to all, unfortunate iii
weakening ties that should be made stronger
every day and in maintaining hopes among
the Canadians which can never be fulfilled.
| Mr. Blaine has left the way open for Her
| Maiesty'S Government TO come again to the
point 70 which it has twice advanced upon ITS
own motion, and from which it has twice re
tired at the foolish command o. its colony II
| will not be Americas fault if the controversy
1