Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1891-03-27
RH-MinisIer Phelps on the Bering Sea
DiHDute.


A notable contribution to the periodical
literature of the day, discussing a subject
of international Importance, is the article
of Hon Edward j. Phelps on The Boring
Sea Controversy in the April number of
Harper's Magazine. Mr.. Phelps speaks on
this subject with a degree of knowledge
and authority which could be exceeded by
no other writer, either in this country or
England He was the minister from this
country to Great Britain under the Cleve-
land administration, He is a lawyer of
ability aud wide learning, and brings to
the subject a view which is broad and
ststesmanlike, He states plainly and CON
cisely the point at issue in the controversy
between the two countries, but the main
interest of the article lies in the fact that
he treats the subject as an American from
an American point of view, and upholds
strongly the position taken by the present
administration under the lead of Mr.. Blaine
as secretary of state He shows that the
essential point under dispute and discus
sion was never raised until England was
forced 10 consider and defend it under pres
sure from Canada whose sealere are raiding
the Boring sea waters and Strengthening the
female seals in the breeding season Mr.
Phelps's bitterest shafts of denunciation
and sarcasm are aimed at those Democratic
and mugWump newspapers whose policy it
has steadily been TO attack the administra-
ton and criticise its policy in this import
ant matter, simply because it is a Repub-
lican administration, aud is attempting TO
bring it to a just settlement and establish
an American principle The following is a
paragraph in illustration
ITO Peruse the discussions of most questions of
this sort In the American press would lead the un.
learned reader 10 conclude that one proposition
IN international law, at least, can be regarded A.
settled; that is that whatever is asserted by our
own government is necessarily wrong This
point Is readily conceded by our adversaries but
tends more 10 simplify disputes than 20 conduct
them TO results favorable 20 our own side II
our government is demanding what is wrong the
demand should at once be abandoned III il IA
claiming what is right, and what is worth claim
ing, Il should receive the support of all parties
whether all the points taken and All he arPl
ments by which II endeavors TO support It's case
prove universally convincing or not
To this Mr.. Phelps adds that
THE authors can have the satisfaction Of
knowing that all these contributions 10 the Brit
lsh side OF the discussion are promptly put on
file IN Her Malestys foreign ofice, and will not
fail OF their effect Great Britain affords US no
corresponding advantage Not word has been
uttered or printed IN thet country, so far as Is
known, against the Canadian contention or IN
support Of that Of the United States The sug-
gestlon that the government might b. preiudiced
IN conducting the discussion silences at once the
tongues and pens OF both parties And II a new
administration were 10 come into power Il would
takt " TINS subject where It's predecessors left
H. without any change Of front whatever"
The severity Of this rebuke is the better
realized when it is remembered that Mr..