Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-07-20
WHAT DIPLOMACY!
Mr.. hARRIsoNs COURSE TOWARD
THE BRITISH SEALERS.
The Country Nearly Involved In war with
England Through His Interference
In Bshfing Sea-

Mr.. Gouriev's question IN the houSo VI
Commons last night, says the Washington
correspondent of the New York Herald. IS
the latest OF many proofs Of confusion in
the public mind respecting the Character
Of the negotiations and correspondence
concerning the Behring Sea. Until tho
two governments shall come TO some ar
rongement or determination for the publ
cation of the correspondence the summa-
ries heretofore fully and exclusively pub
lished in the Herald and now semi ofiicialiy
admitted to be fair synopsis of the same,
are tho only source of accurate iniorma-
ton.
" Mr.. Gourley could have seen the frll
abstracts If the correspondence as printed
in the Herald he would have known that 80
far from President Harrison having notified
Lord Salisbury Of his purpose 10 deal sum-
marilv with the British sealess. he took eN-
traordinary and ndefensible means 10 pro-
vent his LOrdship from learning OF hrs TX
ceilency's intentions. Some one betrayed
the secret and Lord Salisbury found out
through the publication Of the orders 10
the revenue cutters how the Pres dent ex-
pected to 90 anead regardless ot the decen-
cies of diplomatic intercourse.
1t was then he took prompt and effective
steps to meet force with force and let tho
President know his purpose. Very reuc-
tantly, and because be doubted the cOun-
try would either sustain or condone what
he had been doing when the facts should
be known, the President came over 10 Mr..
Blaine's view that common decency would
not permit violence TO be practiced IN
Behring Sea while peace was being osten-
tatiously proclaimed at Washington.
NARROW ESCAPE FROM WAR.
II the Presidents plans had prevailed
over those of Mr.. Blaine tho FIRST that
Lord Salisbury would have known of the
matter would have been the news that the
Rush had boarded q British vessel in
Behriug Sea. removed her lading, equip
ment, and papers, and lett her. with her
crew aboard. q virtual wreck.
What Lord Salisbury would have done
on receipt Of such news may be inferred
from the circumstance that be had pre-
viously caused Mr.. Blaine to be advised,
though only by way of precaution. that
repetition Of the seizures Of preceding
years would necessarily be taken as castis
bcN.
Now am reminded to call attention 20
marked distinction between seizng
vessel, as was done in iSS6. 1851 and 1889,
for the purpose Of taxing her into o court
Of admiralty for judicial determination Of
her status as an offender against law or 20
the contrary, and boarding her Tor the
purpose Of destruction without even IN
tending 10 convOke the jurisdiction OF a
court Of admiralty.
There is little doubt that Lord Salisbury
did regard such sailing orders rs the Presi-
dent first issued 10 the Bear, Rush, and
C0rwin rs buccaneering orders. and took
his measures accordingly. ( am authorize
lively informed that the protest which
Lord Salisbury caused 10 be made to Mr..
Blaine early IN June singled out the new
and lawless character OF the measures di-
rected 20 be taken against British sealers
as o serious aggIavatiOn OF the tunda-
mental offence of waglng qilaS. war upon
the flag Of friendly Power, while pre-
tending 10 be IN 0micaDle negotiation
with that Power upon the very question
used Us an excuse for an attack on that
hag.
TEE CORRESPONDENCE TO BE SECRET.
II is virtually decided that the President
will not send any Behring Sea correspond
ence 10 the House of Representatives III
response 10 its recent resolution. The os-
tensible reason given is that the subject IS
in the very midst of negotiations which
have not yet reached definite point or
stage or any approximation thereto. To
publish the merely partial and quite IN
definite correspondence "a IL stands would
only mislead Congress and the public and
might delay or embarrass the future OF the
negotiations.
This is the Presidents view, and because
it is his view It is going TO prevail.
Il is not the Blaine view.
The latter view was expressed by Mr..
Hit when he told the House that Congress
needed the correspondence and that he
had been told az the proper place that
Congress could have II for the asking. No
change Of any kind has occurred since Mr.
Hit introduced nor since he passed his
resolution. vet now the President SAYS that
the spOndence would do Congress no
good. and that Congress cannot have IT,.
Mr.. blaines friends take their disap-
pointment philosophically. They do not
think the spread-eaele note 10 the British
Minister of Juno seth would have much
popular effect now, 80 many DAYS after the
Herdd bad fully summarized it, and after
the President has been sitting on itsO long.
Republican members of both the Senate
and House Committees on Foreign Affairs
acquesce in the Presidents determination
to hold back the correspondence for the
present Those of them who are Mr.
Blaines friends predict that when tho ne
gotlations shall have reached the point
where the end can be seen the President
will Withdraw his present objection 90 pub
LEGATION and then the mastery results OF
Mr. Blane's diplomacy and his brilancy as
an inditer Of State papers Will appear with
doubled force.
ENGLAND 10 MAINTAIN SECRECY.