The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-01-06
TILE OrPclAL CORRESPONDENCE.
Secretary Blaino's strong Position-Ths
Rights of the United States.


Secretary Blaino's strong Position-Tha
Rights of the United States
WASHINGTON, Jan. 5.-The President
t,.day transmitted to the House Of Rep.
rssentatiyes further correspondence on
the subject Of the Behring Sea contrc-
yersy between the United States aud
Great Britain. Lord salisbury's letter
to Sir Julian PSunceiote, P dated August .,
is conaned to decision OF the Russian
ukase and the treaty OF 1926. Heargues
that Mr.. Blaine has misinterpreted Mr..
Adams position and closes with the
statement that II the differences still ex.
ist his Government is ready for impartial
arbitration by methods to be agreed upon
in concert with Mr.. Blaine.
Secretary Blaine's letter to the same
Minister, dated December II last, be-
gins with M insistanCe upon the correct
ness OF the position assumed by the
'Uniled States. He believes that the
controversy turns TO one point-whether
the phrase "PaCifC Ocean" used in the
treaty OF 1924 and '25, included Behring
Sea bounded by Great Britain. II the
United States can prove the contrary
her Gaze is complete and undeniable.
Therefore, Mr.. Blaine enters into an ex-
haustive argument based on Bancrofts
history, and goes to show that Mr..
Adams and his contemporaries had a
distinctive understanding that the
phrase Pacific Ocean" included the
waters of Behring Sea, then known to all
the world as the Sea Of Kamschatka.
Asstronger evidence ofhis correctnt ss,
Mr.. Blaine cites the protocols OF the
treaty OF 1924, 10 show that Russia's
REIMBURSEMENT OF jurisdiction applied
only to the territory between the 50!h
and Goth degree, also other undeniable
points OF proof. -.
He speaks OF the enormous injury In.
flicted by vessels under the British fig
upon tire United States fisheries and
suggests that she send On intelligent
commissioner to the Seal Islands. Again
he objects TO the form Of the proposed
arbitration, and says 1t will amount to
souething tangible il Great Britain con-
sents TO aTbitrate the rea, questions dis
cussed Ior the last four years. What
were the rights exercised by Russia in
Behring BeaI How far were they con-
ceded BY Great BritainP Was Behripg
sea included in the Pacific ocean, Did
not the United States acquire all Of
Russias rights? What are the present
rights Of the United States 2 and II the
concurrence OF the Great Britain is
iouud ntCessary then what shall be the
protected limits and close season2
Further the Secretary says: "The
United States having the most extended
sea coast OF all tho nations OF the world,
may be presCmed TO haze paid serious
attention to the laws and usages which
define and limit maratime jurisdiction
The course OF this government has been
uniformly in faver Of upholding the rec
ognized law OF nations on that subject,
While Lord Salisbury's admonitions are
received in good part by this govern
ment, We feel justified in asking His
Lordship if the government OF Great
Britain nns uniformly illustrated these
precepts by example, or whether she
!laB not established at least one notable
precedent, which would justify, US IN
making greater demands on Her Mel g.
ty's government touching the BehfinG
sea than either our necessities or our
desires have eyer suggested.
~ am directed By The President to Say
that OF, behalf OF the United States, he
is willing to adopt the text used in the
act Of Parlialceut to exclude ships trom
hoyering nearer 10 the Island OF 81
Helena, than eight marine leagues, OF
he will take the example cited by siI
George Baden.Powell, whereby per.
mission OF Her MRjesty's government
control over part OF the ocean wv
miles wide is to-day authorized by
Australian law. The President will ash
the Government OF Great Britain to
agree 10 the distance Of twenty marine
leagues-wilhiu which no ship shall
hover around the island0 Of st. Paul and
st. George from the 10th day OF Nay tC
the 18Th day Of October OF each year.
"Great BIitain has been informed
advised, warned over and oyer again o.
she evil effects that would follow IRON
her course OF action; but against testl
mony that amounts to demonstration
she has preferred 10 abide by personal
representations from Ottawa, by reports
Of commissioners gho examined moth
Ang and heard nothing except the testi
mony CT those engaged in the business
Ngainst which the United States ha
earnestly protested. She may posibll
De convinced Of the damage II sho viii
seud an intelligent cJmmiRsloner 10 thu
PrbylOfI Islands
Respecting the British proposition
looking 10 arbitration the Secretary says
In the Judgment Of the President
nothing OF Importance would be eettle'
By proving that Great Britain had con
ceded no jurisdiction TO RusRir oyer tn
seal fisheEies OF Behring Sea. II Nigh
as well be proved that Russia comedies
no Jurisdiction 70 England over tn
River Thames. By doing nothing y
each case everything Ia conceded, Il
neither case is anything ssked OF Ia
other. 'Concessioon, % used here
mGRns simply Gcquiesence in tue ughl
fulness OF the title, and that is tho opl
iorm oi confession which Russia aSke
Of Great Britain, or which Great Britai
gave to Russia"
L.