The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-01-15
TIE BERING SEA pIspUrE.

The publication Of the correspondence be-
tween Secretary Blaine and Lord Salisbury
relative TO the Bering Sea dispute shows a
very successful maintenance of our rights in
regard to the seal fisheries, and the British
premier has been defeated on every issue.
Mr.. Blaine took up the dispute at the point
where it was left by his predecessor-Mr.
Bayard-who had managed it with signal
ability up to that time, and has reinforced the
position then taken with unanswerable argu-
ments. Our entire ownership of the fish
cries, and our complete right to do what
ever is necessary to preserve them for orr
selves and the whole world are successfully
demonstrated. 1t is shown that British
Precedents amply support every claim that
we make. For example, he cites that when
England had Napoleon a prisoner at St.
Helena, she forbade any vessels lowering
within eight leagues of the island, and
Even to-day, while her Majesty's Government Is
aiding one OF her colonies TO destroy the American
seal fisheries another colony with her consent, has
established pearl fishery in an OF the Indian
Ocean 600 miles wide And 80 complete is the
sumption OF power that according to Sir George
BAden-Powell, a license fee is collected from the
vessels engaged in the pearl fisheries in the open
ocean. The asserted power goes to the extent Of
making foreign vessels that have procured their
pearls Tar outside the three-mile limit pay a heavy
tax when the vessels enter an Australian port TO
land cargoes and reHt
Mr.. Blaine makes this proposition to the
British Government:
am directed by the President to say that. on
behalf Of the United States lac is willing to adopt
the text used in the act OF Parliament to exclude
ships from towering nearer TO the island Of ST. He
lena than eight marine leagues or he will take the
example cited by Sir George Baden Powell, where,
10y permission OF Her Majesty's Government.
control over part Of the ocean COO miles wide Is
to-day authorized by Australian law. The Presi-
dent Will ask the Government OF Great Bril-
tain To agree 10 the Distance OF % marine
leagues, within which no ships shall hover around
the islands OF ST. Paul and ST. George from the 18th
OF May To the 18th Of October Of each year. This
will prove an effective mode of preserving the seal
fisheries for the OF the civilized wOrld-a mode
which, In view Of Great Britain's assumption Of
power over the open ocean, she cannot with
ssieney decline. Great Britain prescribed eight
leagues at ST. Helena; bat the obvious necessities
IN the Bering Sea will, the basis OF this prec-
edent justify 20 leagues for the protection Of the
American seal fisheries
Mr.. Blaine declines to submit to arbitra-
tion number of nOn-essential points raised
by Lord Salisbury, but offers to arbitrate on
the following "real questions":
First-what exclusive jurisdiction In the sea now
known as the Boring Sea, ani what exclusive
rights In the seal fisheries therein, did Russia
exert aud exercise prior and up 10 the time OF the
cessiOu Of Alaska to the United Siatcs3
second-HOw far were these claims OF iuFisdlc-
ton as 10 the seal fisheries recognized and con
oeded by Great Britian2
Ihird-Was the body Of water now known a.
the Boring Sea included in the phrase Pacific
Ocean, used in the treaty Of ls25 between Great
Britain and Russia, and what rights II any, in tile
Iiering Sea were given conceded to Great Britain
by the said treaty.
Fourth-Did not all the rights OF Russia as to
jurisdiction aud TO the seal fisheries In Bering
Sea east OF the water boundary. in the treaty be
tween the United States and Russia Of March 30.
is67 pass unimpaIred to the United States under
that treaty?
Finh-What are now the rights Of the United
States 10 the fur-ssAl fisheries in tho waters OF
the bcfibg SEA OUTSIDE OF the ordinary territorial
limits, whether such rights grow out Of the cessiOn
by Russia Of any special rights or Jurisdiction held
by her Ia such fisheries IN the waters Of Bering
Sea- out Of the ownership Of the breeding islands
and The habits OF the seals in resortn thither and
rearing their young thereon and going out from
the islands for food. Of any other fact or In
cident connected with the relation Of those seal
fisheries 10 the territorial possessions Of the United
States?
Sixth-H the determination OF the foregoing
questions shall leave the subject In such position
that the OF Great Britain is necessary
la prescribing regulations for the killing OF tile fur
seal In any part of the waters Of Bering Sea- then
It shall DO further determined first how far, il At
oil. outside the ordinary territorial limits It Is
necessary that the United States should exer-
else exclusive jurisdiction ia order to protect
the seal for the time living upon the islands OF the
United States and feeding therefrom; second
whether closed season during which the kill
ing Of seals in the waters Of Boring Sea out
side the ordinary territorial limits shall be pro-
hibitedl is necessary 10 the seahshing indus
try, valuable and important to mankind, from
deterioration destruction. aud If So third. what
months paris Of months should be included In
such season and over hal waters it should extend
This position is entirely sound, and upon it
Secretary Blaine can confidently appeal not
only to the judgment OF the people of this
country, but OF the whole civilized world.