New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-03-21
EX.MINISTER PHELPS On TIE BEHRING
SEd DISPUTE.

| Minister 10 EnSidHu, SustdlHIhS tilO <iAiS4iN"i
position in the Bchring Sea controversy Mr..
Phelps, in his official capacity, began the diplo-
| matte discussion with Great Britain OF the facts
| and principles involved in this unique issue, ana
il is due to his admirable services, not less than
to those Of ex-SeCetary Bayard, that the nego-
| tiatiOnS, when Mr.. Blaine took them up, al
| though unfayOrably turned and Temporarily
| checked. had so wisely safeguarded the In
| terests of the United States In mastery
manner Mr.. Phelps had argued every point, and
had received from Lord Salisbury frank ac-
| acknowledgement of his acquieScence in the justice
| and propliety lof the American claims. treaty
had been drawn up fully conserving our IN
! terests and to all its details Lord Salisbury was
| committed. But at this juncture Canada inter-
yened, and although from that time to this
| Great Britain has never once avowed that she
considered the reckless acts of the Canadian
marauders justitiable, she suddenly broke off
the negotiations, refused to sign the treaty and
entered upon that course of debate and delay
which she has since pursued while the pirates,
thus protected, have redoubled their depredatory
| zeal and have well nigh ruined the valuable In
dustry our capital and our labors built up.
| The admirable public services to which we
refer have placed Mr.. Phelps in position to
discuss this subject with an intelligent percep-
| ton of all it's issues which few others possess,
and having also rare powers of expression and
a literary style not less graceful than vigorous,
| he has produced by far the ablest contribution
| to the literature of the controversy which has
appeared in any journal. 1t is impossible, in
deed to speak too highly of its clearness, It's
close and logical argument, or its nicely defin-
e, ,,In
ouChly American spirit, however, is Its most
| valuable quality, and on this account OF all
others we hope it will receive circulation OF
the widest sort. All that Mr.. Phelps says OF
the shameessly partisan spirit in which TINS
question, involving as it does night OF Ma
tonal authority and interest, has been discussed
by journals opposed to the Administration Is
true and richly deserved. There have been IN
America three parties TO the controversy. Inc
first is composed of those who really understand
il and who believe with Mr. Phelps that Ameri-
cans should boldly and steadfastly sustain any
and every Administration which is dong It's
best to defend a clear and valuable right. The
Others are composed of partisans on either Side
who mechanically supporter denounce, with no
regard for facts, principles or National interests.
And it is not too much to say that TINS dispute
vould long ago have been settled in full accord
with our duty and our rights but for the par
| tsan clamor Of newspapers opposed to the Adj
| ,niniStraton If in the end the industry
| which has proved 50 richly profitable to the
Government, from which it has already more
than earned the full price paid for the whole
of Alaska. is destroyed-sacriiced to the ma
rauders whose conduct Lord Salisbury has him
| xNr1 Mt -
while our Government is engaged in the slow
! processes of arbitration-It will be due to these
same sinister and unpatrOtic influences.
| II will be seen from the extracts from MI
| phelps's article, which we elsewhere print, with
the permission of the MeSsIs. Harper, and which
merely serve to show the outline of his argu-
ment. that he does not consider arbitration
| suitable method Of setting this question Nor
| do we-on It's merits. nor IN any event without
| the condition that meanwhile the seal are to be
| let alone But we suppose that the Democratic
and Anglo-Mugwump press, by belttling inc
question. by describing Mr.. Blaines arguments
as lingo talk and 10y protesting to be much
moved in their intellectual departments by
Enclands fairness" and Lord Salisbury 5
c!eyemess, have affected the public mind at
least to the extent OF rendering arbitration al
most necessary. Perhaps it Is best to confess
this frankly, that the reproach OF it may serve
as a lesson hereafter. \ position IN contro-
yersy with foreign Government cannot be
taken ard enforced as i'll domestic issue, by
meie majority action. 1t must be sustained by
the whole Nation N0ldiscerning American can
fail to see that the great questions Of the near
future will relate to the place we intend to oc-
cupy relatively 10 other countries III the alialrs
of the world. The sphere OF international IN
terest in the last century has shifted its centre
as we'll as enlarged its circumference, and the
American continents are now well within IT.
PERHAPS when we have suffered by divided conn
ellis few humiliations and losses we shall learn
the lesson Mr.. Phelps teaches IN his remark that
"a nation divided against itself can never
achieve diplomatic success" and that, abroad,
the nero suggestion that the Government
might be prejudced in conducting the discussion
silences at once the tongues and pens OF both
parties"
1t would be fortunate thing for the United
States if the powerful and timely argu-
ment of this distinguished Democrat, the man
of all men who is capable of setting forth the
merits OF the controversy and OF approaching
the efforts Of the Government at their real
value, should have the effect of closing up all
ranks, of si.encing all unpatriotc criticism, and
of enabling the Nation to present bold and
united front in support OF those who are lis
constitutional representatives,.
~,