The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-01-06
Some Correspondence Between
Blaine and Salisbury on the
Perennial Dispute.
The Englishman Again Proposes
Arbitration as a Means Of
Settlement.
lingo Jim Insists That That Method
Would Not Decide the Contention
Press Opinion.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 5.-The president to-
day transmitted to the house further cor
respondence on the subject of the Behring
States and Great Britain. The
from Salisbury to Pauncefoot, dated
Aug. 9, 1890, and one from Secretary Blaine
to the American minister at London, dated
Dec. II last. Salisbury's letter was confined
to the discussion of the Russian ukase and
treaty of 1926. He argues that Blaine mis-
interpreted Adams position and declares
that the history of the case shows, first,
that England has always denied Kussia's
maritime jurisdiction over Behring sea:
that the convention of 1926 WAS a ~renuncia-
tion of that claim and that Behring sea has
not been known by that name but az part
of the Pacific ocean. He closes with a
statement of the difficulties that still exist.
His government Is ready to form impartial
arbitration by methods that may be
agreed upon In concert with Blaine.
BIaine's letter begins with an insistence
upon the correctness Of the position as
aumed by the United States. He believes
The controversy turns upon the one point
whether the phrase Pacific ocean" used
in the treaties of 1924 and 1925. included
Behring sea. as commended by Great Brit
ain. II the United States can prove the
contrary her case is complete and undenia-
BILE. Therefore,, Blaine enters into an ex-
haustiye argument based on Bancroft's his
tory and maps to show that Adams and his
contemporaries had a distinct understand
ing that the phrase Pacific ocean, exclud-
ed Watchers Behring sea, then known to
ali the world as the sea of ksInscLatka. He
points to the large wealth OF the Russian
American company, which, he says. would
have been carelessly thrown away by the
Russian nobility il the phrase meant az
held by Great Britain.
He cited the long years of abstinence
from the seal waters by adventurous people
of the United States and Great Britain as n
presumption of their lack of right to enter.
As stronger evidence of his correctness.
Blaine cites the protocols of the treaty Of
1924 to show that Rugsia's REIMBURSEMENT
of jurisdiction applied only to territory be
tween the fftieth and sintieth degrees.
Also an explanatory note from Russia to
Adams in 1924, positively excepting the
A!eutian islands and the country north of
ffty-nins degrees. three miles from the
concession to the United States of the right
to fish and trade. He also cites the action
of Great Britain excluding vessels from
waters within eight leagues of st. Helena.
when Napoleon was confined there. and
again refers to the protection e1ercised
over the Ceylon pearl fisheries by Great
Britain, and saying that he was willing to
accept those provisions for the protection
Of seal fisheries. He speaks of the enor-
nous injury injury inflicted by vessels I'M
der the British flag upon United States fish
cries, and suggested that she send an
intelligent commissions to the seal
islands. Again, lac objects to the form OF
proposed arbitration and says it will
amount to something tangible If Grea,
Britain consents to arbitrate the real ques-
tions discussed for the last our years, viz;
What v, 70 the rights exercised by Russia IL