The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-07-17
NO DANGER OF WAR.
Reports Sent From Victoria Entirely With
out Foundation in Fact.

PORT TOWNSEND, Wash. July 16.-For
the purpose of learning how much truth
there is in the sensational dispatches re
Gently sent out of Victoria, the Leader, of
this city. last Saturday dispatched Il mem
Der of its staff TO the British Columbia
capital. He returned from the scene yes
terday with the following facts: The peO-
pie of Victoria are Justly indignant at the
sensational story of the situation sent out
and printed in leading American journals
about Canadian cruisers armlng at Maple
Bay to resist American seizure. These
stories are absolutely without foundation.
No Canadian schOonerS could be Obtanad
for the purpose: as all shipping out Of
Victoria is chartered some time ahead.
MesSrs. Hall q Merwin, leading owners
Of sailing schOOners, fitted ont the steam
schooner Mischief about four weeks ago.
Mischief is 1891 tons burden and belongs
in Seattle. She was sent up 10 intercept
the sealerS of her charterers and bring
down their catch. This was done when
the cutters Rush and COrwin were daily
expecting orders to 60 north and to fore
stall these vessels. Maple bay, where
armed vessels were reported to be fitting
out, is in Victoria harbOr and ls passed
daily by all the shipping which enters
Canadian waters. 1t would be impossible
TO do anything secret within its environ
ment.
With the possible exception of dock
lab0rers, no one is thinking OF war. Mer-
chants and intelligent people laugh at the
idea of any trouble. The idea that two
nations like the United States and Eng
land should quarrel over interests valued
at So, 100000 appears to them as ridiculous.
Several merchants Of sealing schoUners
residing at Victoria own thirty vessels en-
gagged in the industry. The craft engaged
is all of the small sailing class. The prin.
cipal owners are Morris, Munsay and
COruey and Edwin Marvin. Each owns
six vessels. Andrew Brehtel owns three
Captain Charles Spring owns two, j.
Baskowitz & Sons two. Captain Douglas
Warren two, and Hall * Co. two Three
of the latter's vessels have IN the last three
years been seized by Americans Captain
White lost two in like manner.
Said Capt Marvin when seen: IF the
people of Victoria could lay hands on the
villain who has been filing the American
papers with yarns about our plans, which
are purely imaginary, they would try
coat of tar and feathers on the gentleman.
Such reports are prejudicial to our cause.
We obtain clearance papers from our Gus
tom house. which knows what our business
is. Then 90 be seized by friendly nation
and treated aS pirates eXaSperateS Us. The
American position on the subject of Beh
rings strait being a closed sea is not tena-
Bile but the two governments will settle
the matter"
When asked why. pending negotiations
on the subject, the Canadians did not keep
ont. Marvin refused to answer HAIL.
Douglass and Other owners spoke in the
same strain rs Marvin. These are people
directly interested IN financial way IN the
question. The residents of Victoria at
large. who have no pecuniary interests IN
the matter never think of war, and do not
want it, and 1t is this public opinion which
viii eventually force England TO recognize
the claims Of the United States The fact
that the English north Pacific squadron is
in the haThor has absolutely no signif-
cance. This | know, because Captain
Henry Sinclair, commanding The Cham
piOn. who is ranking officer pending the
absence of Admiral Hutham. showed me
all of his orders There are about buShel
of these direct from theadmiralty, London,
and they relate entirely to the disposition
of the vessels after the maneuyers. Nd
miral Hotham is expected in Victoria
tonight Captain Sinclair stated that
while the Nymph and Espeigie
might cruise about BehrinE sea
for couple of months thiS sea
son. the same thing was done last and Is
done every year The squad musterS at
Victoria for repairs and inspection and to
be assigned TO stations. beside which Ad-
miral Horhsm has Just taken command OF
the fleet and wants to become personally
acquainted with the details. Captain Sin
clair. TO show his good will. called on Hon
Levi VI. Myers the American CONSUL last
saturday. Sinclair took particular pains
10 disabuSe the mind of the correspondent
of the possibility OF any trouble. The Mis-
chief is expected in Victoria in few days
with the catch of the Penelope and other
sealers.
That tired feeling disappears, and You
I