The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-07-24
Russla's Monopoly.

Russla's Monopoly.
Respecting Mr.. Blaine's statement that ex-
elusive monopoly was enjoyed by Russia, the
Marquis quotes from Quincy Adams's letter
to the United States minister to Russia
which nation in 1921 prohibited all foreign
vessels from approaching within 100 miles
from the coast from Behring Straits to the 3lst
degree 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 lari0t TO show that In the right
of fishing thus asserted Is included the right
Of killing fur bearing animals. The brig was
forced by an armed Russian vessel TO leave
the waters.
The Marquis also says that Mr.. Blaine
must have been misinf0rmed respecting the
uninterrupted possession by the United
States from 1860 to 1886 and submits extracts
from reports Of United States officers to
show that during that time British vessels
were engaged at intervals in fur seal fishing
with the cognizance of the United States
government. The Marquis says in cOnclu-
sion: Negotiations now being carried on
at Washington prove the readiness of
Her Majesty's government to consider
Is necessary for the protection Of the fur seal
industry. In its absence they are unable to
admit that the case put forward on behalf Of
the United States affords any sufficient JUS
tlfcatlon for the foreible action already taken
by them against the peaceable subjects Of
Her Majesty engaged in lawful operations on
the high seas"
The next letter Of the British minister is
dated May %. Referring to the departure Of
the revenue cutter to Behring Sea to seize
foreign sealers, he says he Is instructed to
state that formal protest against such in
reference with British vessels will be for
warded at once. Mr.. Blaine, May 30, re-
sponded that he was Instructed by the Presi-
dent to protest against the course Of the
British government In encouraging and pro-
tecting its vessels not only In interfering
with American rights in BehrlnR Sea, but
doing violence as we'll to the civilized world.
The Both and last letter was addressed by
Mr.. Blaine to Sir Julian Psuncefote from
Bar Har6or last Saturday. In
"errors' Lord Salisbury thinks he has
gathered from the records Of his Office.
Touching Lord Salisbury's denial that he
ever gave assurance with respect to the pro-
posed convention, Mr.. Blaine says he simply
quoted facts communicated by Minister
Phelps and our Charge de Affairs White.
He says; "As Mr.. Phelps has long been
known in this country as an able lawyer, ac-
curate In the use Of words and discrimina-
ting In statement Of facts, the government
Of the United States necessarily reposes i'm
plicit confidence in the literal correctness of
the despatch quoted April 16 conference
was held at the foreign Office respecting the
Behring Sea controversy. This conference
was really called at the request OF the Rus
sian ambassador who desired that Russian
rights in Behring Sea should be as fully rec
ognized In the verbal agreement Of February
% between Lord Salisbury and
Mr.. Phelps. The Russian ambassador
received from Lord Salisbury the assurance,
valuable also to the United States, that the
protected area for seal life should be extend
ed southward to the 47th degree Of north lat
itude, and also promi' 'es that he would have
draught OF the convention prepared for
submission to the Russian ambassador and
American charge. Lord Salisbury now con-
tends that all proceedings at the convention
Of April 26th should be regarded only as pro-
visional In order to furnish basis for nego-
tiatiOn and not definitely pledge his govern
ment. While understanding that this gov
ernment differs from that maintenance by
Lord Salisbury, am instructed by the Pres
ident to say that the United States are will
ing to consider all proceedings on April 26tb,
1888, cancelled so far as American rights are
concerned. This government will ask
Great Britain TO adhere only
to state agreement made between Lord
Salisbury and Mr.. Phelps In February, 1888.
That was an agreement made directly be-
tween the two governments ana does not in
clude the side Of Russia. Asking Lord
Salisbury to adhere to the agreement Of
February 25th, we leave the agreement Of
OF April Goth to be maintained. IL maintained
at all. by Russia for whose cause and ad-
vantage it was particularly designed"
Salisbury Closed theNegcsletIons.
Mr.. Blaine also refers to Lord Salisbury
statement that political events in the United
States caused the interruption Of the negoti.
ations, not Canadian objection and says
81 am justified in assuming that Lord Sails.
bury cannot recur to the remark of Mr..
Phelps as one of the reasons for breaking off
the negotiation because the negotiation was
in actual progress more than four months
after the remark was made and Mr.. Phelps
himself took a large part in 1t. Upon
this recital the facts are amenable to the
statement made in June to the effect that
Lord Salisbury abruptly closed the negotla-
tions because the Canadian government OBJ
jeeted and he assigned no other reason. Lord
Salisbury expresses the belief that even ii
the view l have taken Of these transactions
be accurate, 1t would not bear out the argu-
ment formed on them. The argument to
which Lord Salisbury refers Is, l presume,
the remonstranee made by direction Of the
President against the change of policy by
Her Ma1esty's government without notice
and against the wish Of the United States
The interposition of the wishes of a British
Province against thesconclusion OF a conven
ti0n between two nations which, according
to Mr.. Phelps, was Uirtudlly agreed 10, ercept
as TO details, was, in the Presidents belief, a
grave injustice to the government OF the
United States"