New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-11-12
illustration of the lengths to which partisanship
will carry presumably intelligent men.
ARBITRATING THE SEALING DISPUTE.

In one sense, of course, every international
dispute is proper subject OF arbitration. With
war as an alternative, and unless an arbitration
were 20 proposed as of itself to involve National
humiliation, we can scarcely imagine any con-
troyersy which the peace-loving people OF this
country would not gladly submit to just
arbitrator. But it by no means follows from
this circumstance that arbitration is always de-
sirable or often necessary. The sentiments that
incline us to peace are in large measure shared
by all other civilized nations, and in the case
of dispute with us they are reinforced by many
additional considerations which we may wisely
and properly take into account in defending our
rights 1t is scarcely supposable, in view OF our
invoable principle of absolute non-interference
in the politics of Europe, that controversy could
possibly arise between the United States and
European nation which, purely on its merits
would be thought by such nation a Justliica-
ton of war; The condition of affairs in Europe
is at all times too delicate and the resources OF
the United States are far too vast to permit a
Government there to undertake a war sure to
involve the most appalling sacrifices and oiier-
ing in defeat as inevitable and complete a
destruction of its position among the states OF
Europe as if the conflict had been with them,
and in victory no compensation at all compar-
able with its costs and risks. 1t is obvious,
therefore, that if the Government OF the United
States were at all times frank, courteous ana
firm in the defence of what it conceived to be
its proper rights and if the press and the people
were not misled by partisan interests from giving
it that stanch support which European dov-
eminent is always sure of receiving from Its
people, the necessity of submitting our claims
to an arbitrator would rarely occur.
And, of all countries, England is the most
heavily bonded to keep the peace with u.s. 10
the considerations we have mentioned are added
those arising from the position OF her Canadian
Provinces, from her internal quarrel with the
Irish, from her enormous shipping interests, and
from the multiplied millions of investment which
her people possess in American industries. a
war with England is as close an approach to
moral impossibility as could well be imagined.
So far, then, as arbitration is advocated merely
as means of avoiding an ultimate conflict, and
not as the best and surest method OF obtaining
Justice, its desrability in controversy with
England may well be questioned. The IRIB-
UNE has found itself in perfect accord with such
eminent students Of foreign relations and inter-
national law as ex-Minister Phelps, Senator Sher-
man. Senator Morgan and Congressman Nc
Creery, in the opinion that our National interests
would best be served in Behring Sea by Wig
orous enforcement of the Seal-pr0tectlon law,
leaving to England the task OF proving her right
to modest our property rather than accepting
the task she has sought to impose on us OF prov
ing our right to defend it. The principal ques-
md tho 10 xyhi
lead, put into concrete expression, is this Do
our ownership Of the seal islands, and the num-
Der and habits of the seal, and the character OF
the sealing industry, taken together, justify the
assertion of an extraordinary marine jurisdiction
for the seals protection? This is chiefly a
question of fact The principle of law that ap-
plies to it is that the sovereign OF the shore
is entitled to extend his dominion over the con-
tiguous sea as far as is necessary for his peace
and safety or for some lawful end. Is the pro
lection of the seal, then, such an end? Do the
facts as to their number and habits OF life, their
connection with our territory and their speedy
determination under the attacks OF pelagic seal
ers, render it lawful for us to extend our juris-
diction to protect them, as England extends hers
to protect her pearl and sponge fisheries and
as all nations do to protect their revenues from
and their neutral commerce from the
attacks of belligerent?
In the discussion of this question the Presi-
dent and Lord Salisbury have now reached an
agreement as to the points to be submitted TO
arbitration, after closed" season, during which
British ships have taken $4,000 seal and killed
four times as many more while we have been
allowed to take only 10000. Arbitra-
ton having been practically agreed upon, and
undoubtedly with the approval Of al
great body of the people, the thing to be
desired now is that it shall be brought to a
speedy conclusion. A few more " closed sea
sons" such as we have enjoyed this year will
wipe the rookeries clean. If the property we
have spent so much to guard and develop Is not
to be ours, if our money and care have gone
simply to provide rich industry for the fisher
men Of British Columbia the sooner we know
it the better. 1t is to be hoped that the Senate
will promptly confirm the convention which is
expected to be laid before it, and cooperate cor
daily in bringing the issue to definite con-
cusion before the migration OF 1892 begins.