Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-07-24
BEHRING sEA FIsHERIEe.
Official Correspondence Bstw cen Un.
Gle Sam and Great Britain.

The President today sent 10 the House
the official correspondence between the
governments of the United States and
Great Britain. touching on the seal fisher
les of the Behring Sea. The first letter is
from Edwardes to Blame, dated at Bar Iisr-
Dor, Aug "a, 1889 II says Repeated
rumors of late have reached her ma jesty =
government that United States cruisers
have stopped, searched and even seized
British vessels in Behring Sea, outside the
3 mile limit from nearest land.
Although no official confirmation of these
rumors has reached her Msjesty's govern
mept, there appears to be no reason to
doubt their authenticity. am desired by the
Marquis of Salisbury to enquire whether the
| nited States government is in possession
of similar information, and to ask that
stringent instructions be sent by the nited
| States government al their earliest moment
10 their officers with view to prevest the
possibility of such an occurrence taking
| place. 10 continuation of my instructions,
| have the honor to remind YOU that Her
| Majesty's government received very clear
assurances last year from Bsyard, at that
| time Secretary of State, that pending dis
cussion of the general questio at issue,
| no further interference should take place
with British vessels in the Behring Sea.
In conclusion the Marquis of Salisbury
desires me to say that Sir Julian Paunce
fote Her Msjesty's minister, will be pre-
pared on his return to Washington in the
autumn to discuss tn whole question. Her
Msjesty's Government wish to point out to
the United States Government that SETTLE
ment cannot but be hindered by any meas
\ ures of force which may be resorted to by
, the United States.
| Blaine replied the same day and at this
I same place, that the same rumors, pro oosb-
/ " based on the truth. had reached the gov
/ eminent of the United States, but up to
{ date 10 official communication had been re-
ceived on the subject. He adds at has
/ been, and is. the earnest desire of the
/ President of the | nited States, to ha se
/ such an ad dustment as shall remove all pIs-
/ sble ground Of Misunderstanding with Her
| Majesty's government, concerning the ex.
isung troubles in Behring sea, and the
President believes the responsibility in the
I deisy in adjustment cannot be properly
! charged TO the government Of the United
States. In the opinion of the President il
points at the issue between the two govern.
men,s are capable of pr ompt adjustmen,
b
| Sept. 18th isst year. Edrardes asked
when he may expect an answer 10 the re-
| quest of his government, made August "a,
/ that instructions be sent to tla.ka to pre-
vent the probability of seizure of British
ships in the Behring Sea. Blaine. stii
/ at Bar Harbor. Sept. IA, replied that he
had supposed Her Msiesty's sovernmep,
WAS satisfied of the Presidents earnest de
sire to come TO friendly sgreem touch
ing the Behring Sea, and An officia
instruction 10 Sir Julian Pauncefote tt
proceed Immediately after his arrival il
/ october to full discussion of the question
removed all necessity for preliminary cor
respondence touching its merits Refer
ring to the Eiwardes question, he says:
"A categorical response would have beer
still As impr acticable, unjust to this gov
eminent and misleading to the government
of Her Majesty. 1t was, therefore. tn,
judgment, OF the President that the who'll
| subject could more wisely be remsnied &,
formal discussion. 90 near ct haad, vhicl
He- Msjesty's government has proposed
aad to which the United States has cor
daily assented. II 10 proper to a'd tina
any instruction sent TO Behfing Sea at tn,
time Of your original request, upon th
gath Of August, would have failed to reacl
those waters before the departure of fh
vessels of the Unissd states
II Next iwardes left as the department tn
state despatch received BY him from th
Marquis Of Salisbury, Who says. without ad
mifung the juseice Of seizures. that hi
government is very ready to agIee that tn
satjecs is one deserving grsvess sseensior
: and the Russian government 10 opposed ,
join in tne proposed nesotisfions. but the
} are suspended for = tine in conseque1ce q
t objections raised BY the Dominion Of Ca
: sis. and Of doubts thrown on the physic
! data on which any restrictive lesislatio
l must have been based.
!. The Marquis sdds: Her Majesty
!, government. fully sensible Of the in
rorsAnce Of this quesuon and the gre