, 1890-07-31
BLAINE AND .SALLSB UR Y

The Behring sea correspondence
just transmitted to congress is high
ly interesting reading. 1t shows to
the impartial reader that great
deal can be said upon both sides Of
the controversy. This is quite nat
ural, because great and just powers
like Great Britain and the United
States, as Justice goes among the
powers Of the world, are not going
to set up and endeavor to maintain
an untenable position.
Lord Salisbury emphatically de-
MES the right Of the United States
to seize British sealers In the waters
of Behring sea, claiming that those
waters are a part OF the high seas.
When Bayard was secretary Of
state Lord Salisbury evinced de-
sire to make a slight concession in
the interest OF harmony, but that
proposed concession aroused little
furry In Canada, and the British
government reconsidered its former
proposal and absolutely refuses now
to stop British sealers from entering
Behring sea pending a settlement
by negotiation.
Secretary Blaine seems to avoid
the contention that Behring sea Is
a mare clausum, at the same time
disputing England's declaration
that THAI body Of water is part OF
the open seas. Mr.. Blaine bases
the claims of the United States
upon undisputed possession of Rus
sia and the United States for more
than century. During that time
these governments have asserted
their sovereignty in those waters
practically without question. Lord
Salisbury answers this by declaring
that John Quincy Adams, when
secretary of state, protested against
Russia's assertion of sovereignty
over the waters of Behring sea. Mr..
Blaine replies by declaring that
Lord Salisbury has incorrectly
quoted Secretary Adams. In an.
other letter Mr.. Blaine says that the
United States Is quite able to main.
tain a consistent attitude without In
the least abandoning its present
claims.
Unfortunately the correspondence
between Salisbury and Blaine tc
date indicates that the two govern
ments are farther than ever from
agreement. Mr.. Blaine insists tina
pending settlement British sealer,
be kept out of Behring sea. Mr.
Salisbury, on the other hand refuses
to enter into negotiations for settle
ment unless the United States viii
first agree not to seize British vessel
entering the disputed waters. Judg
ing from the tenacIty with whicl
each of the representatives of tn
two governments clings to his pro
posal, considerable stress is lai,
upon the importance Of not making
even q temporary concession.
: There the matter stands at pres
ent, apparently as far as ever iron
settlement; farther, in fact, be
cause Blaine and Salisbury hav
: shown no disposition TO relinquis
their position, and 1t is difficult t
: see how they can even get starte
upon the negotiations that bot
: desire, but each upon condition
favorable to his government.
: This Is no time for partisanshiI
y 1t is power against power, not part
} against party. The REVIEW b,
/ lieves that Mr.. Blaine's masterl
and firm position will be supporte
: by every American citizen who
= familiar with the history of the COZ
= troversy. 1t is difficult to nee ho'
: this could we'll be otherwise when
0 is remembered that the attitude 1
l ably maintained by Mr.. Blaine WI
: practically first taken by Mr.. Bay
i ard.
If England and America can n,
agree between themselves the ma
ter will have to be left to arbitr
ton, because nobody wants WI
+ over the dispute, neither the goverl
9 ments nor the people. Those no
y heads who imagine that there is
;, probability of war will be doomed
u disappointment. The United Stat
e aud Great Britain are not going
: fight over few greasy, ill-smellir