The Dickinson press., 1890-07-26
THE FISHERY TROUBLES.
COrrcsDOndenCc in the BchrfNg
Sea Matter Submitted TO
the Senate.
Lord Salisbury Says the United
States Has Nc Exclu-
sive Rights.
He Thinks MI. Blaine Must Have
Been Misinformed and Quotes
Precedents.

WASHINGTON. July 24.-The official
correspondence between the secretary of
state and the British government con-
corning the Behring sea controversy has
been submitted to congress by the presi-
dent. The letter Of Secretary Blaine
transmitting the correspondence to the
president and the letter of the president
transmitting it to congress are merely
formal, Nh. Blaine stating simply that
he sincerely regrets the delay in trans
mission. Secretary Blaine's letter is
dated Bar Harbor. The correspondence
transmitted is from August, 1889, to
July 10. 1890. In his letter to the pres
ident Secretary Blaine states that the
correspondence is still in progress.
Secretary Blaine's Defense.
In reply to u complaint by the British
government, Secretary Blaine defends
the acts complained of, in a letter to Sir
Julian Pauncefote, on the following
grounds:
That the Canadian vessels arrested
and detained in the Behring's sea We're
engaged in IA pursuit i'll itself contra
bonus morcus. which of itself involves IL
serious and permanent injury to the
rights of the government and people of
the United States.
That the fisheries have been in the
undisturbed possession and under the
exclusive control of Russia from their
discovery until the cession of Alaska to
the United States III 1861, and that from
this date EDWARDS until 1885 they had
also remained in the undisturbed pos
session of the United States government.
That it is a fact now held beyond de-
NAL or doubt that the taking of seals in
the open sea- rapidly leads to the extinc-
ton of the species, and that, therefore.
nations not possessing the territory upon
which seals increase their number by
natural growth should refrain from the
slaughter of them in the open sea-.
Sallsbury's Reply.
The Marquis of Salisbury, under date
of May % last, replies to Mr.. Blaine:
Relative to the statement that the seiZ-
ures We're justified by the fact that they
We're engaged in a pursuit that is i'll it,
self contra ores'-a pursuit which of he
cessity involves a serious and permanent
injury to the rights of the government
and people of the United States, the
marquis says that two questions are in
volved. first, whether the pursuit and
killing of fur seals in certain parts of
the open sea is, from the point of view
of international morality, an offense con-
ira bonos mores: and secondly. whether
if such be the case this fact iustities the
seizure OF the high seas and subsequent
confiscation in time of peace of private
vessels of a friendly nation"
Not an Exclusive Monopoly.
Respecting Mr.. Blaine's statement Of
the exclusive monopoly enjoyed by Rus
siil, the marquis quotes from Orkney
Adams letter to the United States min
lister in Russia (Which nation in 1921
prohibited all foreign vessels from APP
preaching within 100 miles from the
coast Of Behring straits to the 51st de-
gree north latitude), to the effect that
the United States could admit no part of
these claims. He also cites the
case of the United States brig Lariot
to show that the right of fishing thus as
serted included the right Of killing fur
bearing animals. The brig was forced
by an armed Russian naval vessel to
leave the waters. He also argues from
the speech of Mr.. Sumner, when intro
ducing the question of the purchase of
Alaska to congress. it is equally clear
that the United States government did
not regard itself as purchasing a mon
opoly.
Says Blaine Is Misinformed.
The marquis also says that Mr.. Blaine
must have been misinformed respecting
the uninterrupted possession of the
United States from 1867 to 1886, and
submits extracts from reports of United
States officers to show that during that
time British vessels were engaged at in
tervals in the fur seal fisheries with the
cognizance Of the United States govern
ment. In conclusion he says:
The negotiations nov being carried
OH at Washington prove the readiness of
her majestys government to consider
whether any special international agree
ment is necessary for the protection of
the fur seal industry. In its absence
they are unable to admit that the case
put forward OH behalf of the United
States affords any sufficient justification
for the forcible action already taken by
them against peaceable subjects of her
majesty engaged in lawful operations
on the high seas. The president" says
Mr.. Blaine, "is persuaded that all
friendly nations will concede to the
United States the same rights and priv
legges on the lands and in the waters Of
Alaska which the same friendly nations
always conceded to the empire of Rus
sia." Her majesty's government hav'
no difficulty in making such a conces
sion. In strict accord with the view
which previous to the present contro
versy, were consistently and successful.
maintained by the United States, the,
have, whenever occasion arose, opposed
all claims to exclusive privileges in tn
non-territorial waters of Behring's sea
The rights they have demanded hav
been those of free navigation and fish
ing in waters which, previous to the &C
QUESTION of Alaska, the United State
declared to be free and open to all fol
eign vessels.
The correspondence is very lengthy
including thirty separate papers on tn
subject.