The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-06

the ceylon pearl fisheries by Great Britain,
| and says:
am directed by the president to say that on
behalf OF the United States he is willing TO adopt
the text used in the act Of parliament 10 exclude
| ships from lowering nearer to the island OF u.
Helena than eight marine leagues, or ne
wiz take the example cited by Sir
| George Baden Powell, where, by per-
mission by her maiesty's government,
| control over part OF the ocean 600 miles wide
| Is today authorized by Australian law. The
| president win ask the government OF Great
| Britain 10 agree to a distance of twenty marine
| leagues within which no ship 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 viii prove an effective mode
of preserving the seal fisheries for the OF the
civilized world mode which, in view of Great
Britain's assumption of power over the open
ocean, she cannot with consistency decline
The secretary describes the destructive
effects upon seal life of unrestricted seal
ing, and says:
The government of Great Britain has been in
formed, advised and warned, over and over
again, OF the evil effects that would flow from
her course of action, but against testimony that
amounts to demonstration she has prepared to
abide by personal representations from Ottawa,
by reports of commissioners who examined
nothing and heard nothing but the testimony of
those engaged in business against which the
United States has earnestly protested. She
may possibly be convinced of the damage III she
will send an intelligent commissioner to the
Pribilof islands
Respecting the British proposition look
ing to arbitration, the secretary says:
In the judgment Of the president nothing of
importance would be settled by proving that
Great Britain conceded Jurisdiction to Russia
over the seal fisheries OF Bering sea. IL might
as well be proved that Russia conceded jurisdic-
ton TO England over the river Thames
by doing nothing. In each case every
thing is conceded. In neither case is
as used here, means simply aequiesence in
rightfulness OF title, aud that is the only form
OF concession which Russia asked of Great
Britain, or which Great Britain gave to Russia.
The second offer OF Lord Salisbury TO arbtrate
amounts simply to the submission of the ques-
ton whether any country has the right to ex-
tend its jurisdiction more than one marine
league from the shore. No one disputes that as a
rule, but the question is as to wheth, II there may
not be exceptions whose enforcement does not in
terfere with those highways of commerce which
the necessities and usages of the world have
marked ont. Great Britain, when she desired
an exception, did not stop to consider or regard
the Inconvenience to which the commercial
world might be subjected. Her exception places
an obstacle III highway between continents.
The United States, in protecting the seal fisher
les, will not interfere with single sail of
mcrce on any sea of the globe.
II will mean something tangible, in the pres
iden't opinion, ii Great Britain viii consent to
arbitrate the real questions which have been
under discussion between the two governments
for the last four years. i shall endeayor to state
what, in the judgment OF the president, these
issues are:
First-What exclusive jurisdiction on the sea
~ Dartr nd hat o~nf,r
rights in the seal fisheries therein, did Russia
assert and exercise prior and up to the time of
the ceseion OF Alaska to the United States?
Second-How far were these claims OF juris-
dietion as to the seal fisheries recognized as con-
ceded by Great Britain?
Third-Was the body OF water known as Ber-
| ing sea included in the phrase Pacific ocean,"
as used in the treaty of 1875 between Great
Britain and Russia, and what rights, If any, In
Boring sea were given or conceded to Great
Britain by said treaty?
| Fourth-Did not all the rights OF Russia in
| jurisdiction and as to seal fisheries In Bering
sea east OF the water boundary, in the treaty be-
tween the United states and Russia of March
| 80, 1857, pass unimpaired to the United States
| under that treaty?
Fifth What are now the rights of the United
| States to the fnr seal fisheries in the
| waters OF Boring sea, outside of the ordi-
| nary territorial limits, whether such rights
any special rights Of Jurisdiction held by her in
such fisheries, in the waters of Boring sea, or
out OF the ownership OF the breeding islands, and
| the habit of the seals in resortng thither and
| rearing their young thereon, and going out from
the islands for food; or out of any other factor
| or incident commented with the relations of
those seal fisheries to the territorial possessions
| OF the United States?
Sixth--If the determination of the foregoing
| questions shall leave the subject In such posi-
ton that the consent of Great Britain is neces-
| sary TO the prescribing Of regulations for the
killing of fur seals in any part of the waters of
| Boring sea, then ii shall be further deter.
mined: First, how far, If at all, outside
| the ordinary territorial limits it is necessary
that the United States should exercise exclusive
| jurisdiction in order to protect seals for the
| time living upon the islands OF the United
| States and feeding therefrom. Second-whether
| closed season, during which the killing of
| seals In the waters OF Boring sea outside the
territorial limits shall be prohibited, is neces-
| sary TO save the seal fishing industry, so valu-
| able and important to mankind, from deteriora-
| ton or destruction, and if so, third, what
| months or parts of months should be included
| in such season, and over what waters should it
| extend?
Secretary Blaine, in conclusion, denies
| that the United States ever claimed Ber-
| ing sea to be a closed sea.
| The Times, commenting on the Bering
| sea matter, says:
Sir Henry Elliott arrived at conclusion on
| the subject SO dstasteful to Mr.. Blaine that
| congress was not allowed to see it.
| The Neics says:
| Blaines proposal TO arbitrate seems reasonable
| enough. Governments exist 10 find their way
out OF difficulties of this sort.
| The Chroaielesays:
The latest dispatches show that the situation
| Is approved. II Americans thought Blaine con-
temlh"sed any action likely TO lead to hostiities
they wouls soon make their sober common sense
ieIt IN washington City.
The Telegraph says:
No arbitrator would listen for a moment to
| Americas claim. America statesmen are liable
| TO excessive sTagger when dealing with British
| rights, because America has no history apart
| rom Its connection or conflicts with England
| Biuines eoquence, acvteness and parry craft
| are absolutely nnriyaled, but he has
! not even been suspected of having any fixed
principles to guide him while in power In fact.
| the bulk OF Americans admire rather than trust
| him. The chances are, therefore, that although
| he TWISTS the lions tail" and ARTS
| with free trade in order to catch the Irish and
| Southern votes, he will lose the presidency he
| cause the people viii not confde their strength
| TO a mere partisan, however brilliant There
| are Americans who are not Irish, and with them
! common Sense Is king.
LONDON, Jan. 5.-The Pail Mall Ga.e,,e
today says:
! The case for arbitration in the Boring sea
dispute is SO clear, Lord Salisbury is so annie
| and the feeling in America in favor of arbitra.
ton SO general and strong that it seems neces-
| sary 10 look for Blaine motives for his war.
like attitude elsewhere than in the merits of the
case. That the American people would deliber.
ateiy prefer policy of exaggeration and would
sooner embark in a fatricidal war with England
than submit 10 arbitration is too silly ana an