The National tribune., 1890-07-31

continue to seize British vessels in Boring Sea
outside the limit of territorial waters Her Maj
esty's Government therefore protested against
such seizures as wholly uniustilied by inter-
national law. When Mr.. Blaine inquired what
authority there was for the above assurance Of
Mr.. Bayard, he was told that it was commune
Gated unoilicially.
Mr.. Blaine in letter to the British Minister
dated Jan. %, 1890, states that it is the opinion
of the President that the Canadian vessels
arrested in Boring Sea were engaged in pur-
suit that was in itself serious and permanent
injury to the rights of the Government and
people of the United States. The President
does not think that it is necessary to explain
or define the powers and privileges ccded by
His Imperial Majesty the Emperor Of Russia
when the Alaskan Territory was transferred
to this country. Mr.. Blaine then speaks of
the value of the seal fisheries which were con-
troiled by Russia without interference or ques-
ton until Alaska was coded TO the United
States, and this undisturbed possession con-
tinued to this Government until 1886, and this
uniform avoidance of attempt to take fur.seal
in those waters have been the constant recog-
milton of the right held by Russia and sub
soguently by this Government and it has also
been held that the taking of seals in the open
sea rapidly leads to their extinction. 1t has
been proved not only by expert testimony, but
by the total destruction of all seal fisheries
cept that in Boring Sea, which the Government
OF the United States is now trying TO preserve,
not altogether for the use of theAmerican people
but for the world at largo, would soon become
extinct If pernicous killing Of fur-scal was al
lowed. The Secretary recites the successful
efforts Of the United States Government to i'm
prove and preserve the fisheries which resulted
in the payment of more than $l2.00O000 to
English laborers for the preparation of the seal
skins, and tho elevation to civilization of the
natives of tho Alaskan Island.
prip fp fbn fIn Ia
toms and rights had been established and en-
joyed by either Russia the United States
for nearly n century. The two Nations were
the only powers that owned foot of land on
the continent that b0rdercd on the islands in
cluded within Boring Sea. Into this peaceful
and secluded field of labor certain Canadian
vessels in 1886 asserted their right to enter, and
by their ruthless course TO destroy the fisher
les which are so valuable. The Government
OF the United States at once proceeded to check
this movement which was sure to do irrepara-
bic harm. 1t was the cause of unfeigned sur
prise that Her Msjesty's Government should
Immediately interfere aud encourage the course
OF the Canadians in disturbing an industry
which had been carefully developed for more
than 80 years under the flags OF Russia and
the United States in such a manner as not 10
Interfere with the public rights or private in
dustry of any people. He inquiries where
the ships OF Canada obtained the right to do in
1856 that which they had RETAINED from doing
for more than 90 years, and where. and upon
what ground, did Her Majcsty's Government
defend in the year 1886 course of conduct in
Bering Sea, which had been respected ever
since the discovery of that sea.
The ground upon which Her Majestys Gov
crnmcnt defends the course of the Canadian
vessels rests upon the fact that they were conf
hitting acts Of destruction on the high sea
more than one marine league from the shore
line but il is doubtful if Her Maiesty's Gov
eminent would abide with this rule If the at
tempt to interfere with the pearl fisheries of
CeylOn, which extend more than 20 miles from
the shoreline, which had been enjoyed by Eng
land without moestatiou ever since their
acquisition. SO we'll recognized is the British
ownership OF those fisheries, regardless of the
threemile line, that Her Majesty's Govern
mcnt feels authorized to sell the right to fish
from year to year to the highest bidder.
Mr.. Blaine then cites the great colonies OF fish
on the Newfoundland banks which resemble
the seats OF great population on the land, which
remains stationary, having limited range Of
water. According to expert judgment il would
be comparatively easy 10 explode dynamite in
such manner as to kill vast quantities of the
fish, and at the same time destroy countless
numbers Of eggs Stringent laws have been en-
acted to prevent the taking of fish from the
rivers OF the United States, and Mr.. Blaine
asks If Her Majesty's Government would like
to have fish taken outside of the three-mile
limit by this means, and If so wicked an act
could not BIO prevented and its perpetrators
punished, and If Her Maiesty's Government
seriously maintains that the law of nations is
poweFless TO prevent such violation OF the COM
mon rights OF man. This Government has
been ready TO eoncede much in order to adj ust
all differences of views, and has proposed a So
luton not only equitable but generous, and
thus far Her Maestys Government has refused
TO accept the proposals of the United States.
The President awaits with interest and solicit
tude any proposition for reasonable adj ustment
which Her Majesty Government may submit
The forCible resistance in which the Govern
ment is constrained in Boring Sea, is in the
Presidents Judgment. demanded not only by
the necessity of defending the traditional long
established rights of the United States, but the
rights OF good government and good morals the
world over The United States Government
has occasion and no desire to modify the
position which il has maintained against the
claims of Russia and will not withhold from
any Nation the privileges which it demanded
for itself when Alaska WAS part of the Rus
sian Empire. The President is persuaded that
all friendly Nations will concede 20 the United
States the same rights and privileges on the
lands aud on the waters of Alaska that the same
friendly Nations always conceded to Russia.
The Marquis OF Salisbury, in q letter TO the
British Minister, undertakes to reply TO Mr..
Blaine. aud says that two questions are in
volved: the first OF which is whether the
killing Of fur seals in certain parts of the open
sea is an International oiiense; and secondly
If such is the case whether this fact justiies the
seizure on the high seas and subsequent confsca-
tion in time of peace, of the private vessels OF u
friendly nation He then cites President Tylers
message to Congress of February, 1913 whore he
acknowledges the right TO detain aud search
vessels on suspicion OF piracy, but makes this
exception, that no nation in time of peace has
any right or authority TO detain ships of an-
other OH the high seas on any pretext what
ever, outside tho territorial jurisdiction. lie
thinks that the pursuit OF seals cannot be con-
sidered piracy.
On June IL, Sir Julien Pauncefote in CON-
munication To the Secretary of State, said that
Her Maiesty's Government have learned with
great concern that the Government of the
| United States has issued instructions to their
revenue cruisers which will again subject
| British vessels to unlawful interference at the
| hands of American officers. Her Maiestys
| Government are anxious to cooperate to the
| full extent Of their power in protecting the
| seal fisheries, but they cannot admit the right
| OF the United States, of their own sole motion
| to restrict for this purpose the freedom of
| navigation on Boring Sea. Her Majestys
| Government, therefore, are unable TO pass over
| without notice the public announcement of
| tho intention of the United States Govern
|. ment To renew acts of interference with British
| vessels navigating outside the territorial wa
| tcrS of which they previously comDlain Tho