The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1891-01-06
JINGO JAMES BLAINE
He Speaks His Mind Freely 10 The
British Government
ON BEHRlNG SEA AFFAIRS
England Somewhat Excited Over
the Correspondence on the Mat
ter-Remarkable Action of
the Colonial office.

WASHINGTON, Jan. o.-lne pfeeluent
to-day transmitted 10 congress the corre-
spondence up TO date in the Behring sea
matter. II is made up of two very long
letters and a number OF enclosures, COM
prising notes and extracts from previous
correspondence.
One Of these letters is from Lord Sails
bury to Sir Julian Pauncefote, British
minister, on August 2nd, and the other is
from Secretary Blaine to the British min.
ister December 18th.
Lord Salisbury's letter is confined
TO a discussion of the Russian
ukase aud the treaty OF 1873.
He argues at length that Blaine has mis-
interpreted Adams position and says: II
do not suppose it is necessary l should
argue at length upon 50 elementary a
point as that of the claim to prohibit YES
sells Of other nations from approaching
within a distance Of one hundred miles
from the coast; IL is contrary to modern
international usage. Adams and Canning
clearly thought in 1923 that the matter was
beyond doubt or discussion. Not only
did her majesty's government formally
protest against the ukase but the Russian
government gave verbal assurance that
the claim of jurisdiction would not be ex.
ercised. In subsequent negotiations
great importance was attached to obtain
ing more formal disavowal of the claim
in n manner least hurtful to Russian
susceptibilities, but SO as eifectually TO
preclude its revival and this security the
British government undoubtedly con-
sidered both they and the United States
had obtained by the conventions of 1894
and 1926.
In conclusion Lord Salisbury cites the
instructions given the British plenipoten-
tiary who negotiated the treaty ofls25 and
says: "These extracts show conclu-
sively, first, that England refused to adj
init any part Of the Russian claim as.
serting by the ukase of 1921 the maritime
jurisdiction and exclusive right of passing
throughout the whole extent Of that claim
from Behring straits to the 5lst parallel.
"Second, That the convention of 1926
was regarded on both sides as a ren,mcia-
ton on the part Of Russia Of that claim
in its entirety.
Third, That though the Behring straits
was known and specifically provided for,
Behring's sea was not known by that
name but was regarded as part Of the
Pacific ocean.
"The answer, therefore, to the ques-
tions with which Mr.. Blaine concluded
his dispatch is thai. her majesty's govern
ment has always claimed freedom OF
navigation and fishing in the waters of
Behring's sea outside of the usual terri
tory limit OF one marine league from
the coast, and that il is impossible
TO admit that the public right TO fish,
catch seals, or pursue any other lawful
occupation on the high seas can be held
TO be abandoned by any nation from the
mere fact that for a certain number OF
years il has not suited the subjects OF the
nation TO exercise it. Ii must be remem-
bered that British Columbia has come
into existence as a colony at compara-
lively recent date, and the first consider
able influx of population, some 30 years
ago, was due to the discovery of gold, and
did not tend to the immediate develop
ment Of the shipping interest.
81 have to request that you will commun-
icate copy Of this dispatch and OF its en-
closure TO Mr.. Blaine. You will state that
her msjesty's COVE ernment has no de-
sire whatever TO refuse 10 the the United
States any jurisdiction in Behring sea,
which was conceded by Great Britain 10
Russia, aud which properly accrues TO the
present possessors Of Alaska in virtue OF
the treaties or law of nations, and il the
United States government, after an exam
ination Of the evidence and arguments
they have produced, still differ from them
as to the legality of the recent captures in
that sea, they are ready 10 agree that
the question, with the issues that depend
upon il, should be referred TO an impartial
arbitration. You will in that case be au-
thorized 10 consider in concert with Mr..
Blaine a method Of procedure to be fol-
lowed.n
Secretary Blaine's letter begins with an
insistance upon the correctness Of the po-
sition assumed by the United States. He be.
lieves the controversy turns upon the one
point whether the phrase, "Paciilc ocean,
used in the treaties of 1884 and 1926 in.
clnded Behring Sea as contended by
Great Britain. II the United States can
prove contrary the case is complete and
undeniable.
Therefore Blaine enters into an ex
haustive argument based on Bancroft's
history and maps TO show that Adams
and his contemporaries had q distinct un
derstanding that the phrase "Paciiic
ocean, excluded the waters of Behring
Sea, then known to all the world
as the Sea of Kamschatka. Th,
secretary points to the large wealtl
of the Russian.American company
which he says would have beer
carelessly thrown away by the Russian
nobility in the phrase. which merged Beh
ring sea into the Pacific ocean. lie cite,
the long years of abstinence from the sea
waters by the adventurous people Of ih,
United States and Great Britain as a pre-
sumption OF their lack of right TO enter.
As stronger evidence of his correctness
Blaine cites the protocols Of the treat,
of is2l TO show that Russia's reliuguish
ment Of jurisdiction applied only
TO the territory between the 50tl
and Goth degrees. Also an explain.
itary note from Russia to Adam
in 1924 positively excepting the AleutiAI
islands and country north OF 50 degree
70 minutes from the concession 10 th
United States Of the right TO flsh an,
trade. OF this note Secretary Blaine says
"The explanatory note Of the Russiai
government disproyes and denies in de
tail the three assertions Of Lord Salisbury