Los Angeles herald., 1891-01-06
lingo Twisting the British
Beasts Tail.
The Animal Doesn't Seem to
Like the Process.
A Crisis in the Bering Sea Dispute
at Hand.
The Latest Correspondence Between
Blaine and Salisbury-A War
Cloud on the Horizon.
Associated Press Dispatches.

Associated Press Dispatches.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 5.-The president
today, transmitted to congress the cor
respondence up to date in the Bering
sea matter. 1t is made up of two very
long letters, and number of enclosures
comprising treaties, notes and extracts
from previous correspondence. One OF
these letters is from Lord Salisbury to
Sir Julian Pauncefort, British minister,
dated December 18th. Lord Salisbury's
letter is confined to discussion OF the
Russian uxase and treaty of 1925. He
argues at length that Blaine has mis-
interpreted Adams position, and says
81 do not suppose it is necessary /
should argue at length upon so element
ary point as that the claim to pro-
hibit vessels OF other nations from ap-
preaching within distance of 100 miles
from the coast, is contrary to modern
international usage. Adams and Can
ming clearly thought in 1923 that the
matter was beyond doubt or discussion.
Not only did her majesty's government
formally protest against the ukase, but
the Russian government gave verbal as
suxance that the claim of jurisdiction
would not be exercised. In subsequent
negotiations great Importance was at
tached to obtaining more formal dis
avowal of the claim in manner least
hurtful to Russian susceptibilities. but
SO as effectually to preclude its revival,
and this security the British government
undoubtedly considered both thew and
the United States had obtained by the
conventions of 1924 and 1926"
In conclusion Lord Salisbury cites in
structions given the British pienipoten-
tiary, who negotiated the treasy OF 1928.
and says: These extracts show conclu-
sively: Q.) That England refused to ad-
init any part OF the Russian claim assert
ed by the ukase of 1821-maritime juris-
diction and the exclusive right of pass
ing throughout the whole extent OF that
claim, from the Bering straits To the 51st
parallel. (2.) That the convention of
1875 was regarded on both sides as a
on the part of Russia of
that claim in its entirety; and (3.)
That though Bering strait was known
and specifically provided tor, Bering sea
was not known by that name. but was
regarded as part of the Pacific ocean.
THE answer, therefore, to the oues-
tion with which Mr.. Blaine concluded
his dispatch, is that her maiesty's gov
ernment has always claimed freedom of
navigation and fishing in the waters OF
Bering sea, outside of the usual terri
torial limit OF one marine league from
the coast; that it is impossible to admit
that -tlAs.,--S>sah him has q r;,h+ a. CT.
eaten seals, or pursue any other lawful
on the high seas, which can
be held to be abandoned by nation
from the mere fact that for a certain
number OF years it has not suited the
subjects OF that nalion to exercise it..
1T must be remembered that British
Columbia has come into existence as
colony at comparatively recent date,
and the first considerable influx of pop
ulation, some thirty years ago, was due
to the discovery OF gold, and did not
tend to the immediate development of
the shipping interest.
II have to request that you will COM
municate a copy of this dispatch, and of
its inclosure, to Mr.. Blaine. You will
state that her majesty's government has
no desire whatever to refuse to the
United States any jurisdiction in the
Bering sea which was conceded by Great
Britain to Russia, and which properly
accrues to the present possessors of
Alaska in virtue of the treaties or laws
of nations; and if the United States
government, after an examination of the
evidence and arguments l have pro-
duced, still differ from them as to the
legality of the recent captures in that
sea, they are ready to agree that the
question, with the issues that depend
upon it, should be referred to impartial
arbitration. You will then be author
lied to consider, in concert with Mr..
Blaine, method of procedure to be fol-
lowed"
Secretary Blaine's letter begins with
an insistance upon the correctness of the
position assumed by the United States.
He believes that the controversy turns
upon one point Whether the phi ase.
Pacific ocean, y used in the treaties OF
1924 and 1926, included the Berinp sea.
as contended by Great Britain. If the
United States can prove the con-
trary, her case is complete
and undeniable, Therefore Blaine
enters into an exhaustive argument
based on Bancroft's history and maps to
9A~O" cA"v AudlAo duu Ills COnCempO.
raries had q distinct understanding that
the phrase Pacific ocean" excluded the
waters of the Rering sea, then known to
all the world as the Kamtschatka sea.
The secretary points 10 the large
wealth Of the Russian American com
pany, which, he says, would have been
careiessly thrown away by the Russian
nobility by the phrase which merged
Bering sea in the Pacific ocean. He cites
long years Of abstinence from the seal
waters BY the adventurous people of the
United States and Great Britain, as q
of their lack of right to
enter. AS stronger evidence of his cor
rectness, Blaine cites the protocols of
the treaty of 1924, to show that Russia,s
of Jurisdiction, applied
only to the territory between the fiftieth
and sixtieth degrees. Also an explain,
atory note from Russia to Adams in
1924, positively excepting the Aleutian
lslands and the country north of the
degree, thirty minutes