The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-03-20
BRITISH WORTH PACIFIC FORCES
Vessels that are Lsh ely 90 be on the Victoria
station Tor Behrias Sen Uses.

| STATION bor ncnfthE Sen ssers
| WASHINGTON. March 1o.-while Lord Sails
bury and Mr.. Blaine were lately discussing in
diplomatic missives whether the ravaGes OF
British Columbian sealors in Behring Sea were
most like cutting the trees from timber land
| in litigation or taking tho grass crop from
| DISPUTED meadow. the vessels went ahead
| with their preparations for the seasons
work. The result is that scores az them have
cleared from Victoria or Vancouver and now
| our Government is determined not to be be-
| midland In protecting the seals.
In one view. there is no immediate need OF
hurry. 1t is practically settled that no restraint
whatever Is this year to be put on peagic seal
ing outside OF Behrng Sea. The modification
OF last years agreement with view to pro-
tectine the animals in the North Pacific. urged
by our Government was not agreed to by
Great Britain. Tho sealing vessels rarely. IL
ever enter Behring Sea until about tho LIST OF
July. since their movements depend upon
those Of the animals For about three months.
therefore. the waters OF Bchring Sea will prob
ably be tree from the depredations OF tho
British Columbian fleet. Accordingly. there
may seem to be little reason for tho urgency
shown by the President to learn what tho
British Government proposes to do this year.
The EXPLANATION OF the Presidents course
seems to be settled determination. in case
Lord Salisbury's reply is unfavorable. to exc
cute our own laws. and to put ships enough in
Behring Sea for this purpose Since the dis
position OF our entire Pacific squadron may
turn upon this question. the Government is
undoubtedly entitled to an early answer from
Great Britain.
The British North Pacific feet, under Rear
Admiral c. +. Hotham's command. which was
drawn upon last year for execution OF the mo-
d,is pirendi. consists now OF tho flagship War
ootkn &on al 1ufNb Hn,,rk
guns and 470 men. and speed OF 16E knots
from her 10000 horse power: the Cham
rion. OF 1880 tons and 10 knots. carrying four
6-inch and eight 5-inch rifles and 27S men:
the Melpomens, 1850 tons and six 6-fnch
guns: the Garnet, 2.120 tons and fourteen
guns: the Daphne. 1.14O tons. eight 5-inch
guns. 14h knots. and 13l men: the Nymphe. a
sister ship OF the Daphne: the Pheasant 1855
tons. 13k knots six 4-inch guns and IS men.
In addition. as the Porpolse was ordered north
from the China station last year. she may
again be summoned She is OF Ito tons.
$500 horse powor. and carries six 6-inch
guns and lat men.
It was not found necessary last year to have
al these in Behring Sea- The armor-clad
Warspite was not sent north. and. in fact, the
actual duty was performed by three vessels.
tho Nymphe. the Porpoise. and the Pleas
ant. The latest news at Victoria from the
British Pacific squadron is that the Champion.
the Pheasant. the Daphne. and the Melpomene
will be held at that station to perform any
duty required at the north. while the
Nymphe and the Garnet will look after British
interests further south. The size. armament.
and other particulars Of all these vessels have
Just been mentioned.
Upon the whole. therefore. 1t is quite EVIL
dent that no very alarming British force Is
now assembled in the North Pacific OF course
these forces can be increased readily from
the China station. but. in view OF the modern
cruisers OF good speed and gun power that
We have now available to support the older
wooden craft in aiding the revenue cutters.
the outlook for effectively patrollinE Behring
Sea is by no means unpromising.
1t has been surmised that the delay OF Lord
Salisbury at the present time may be due. not
to the mers purpose Of protracting negotia-
tons for the benefit Of British Columbia
sealers. but for framing a counter proposal.
1t seems to be pretty generally conceded that
the British Government does not fully
share the anxiety OF our own about
the preservation OF tho fur SEAL but
does have desire not to be put to expense. It
is understood that the Dominion looks to
Great Britain for indemnifying its vessels for
all losses incurred last year on account Of the
nodus rirendL Accordingly it has been sue.
gested that Lord Salisbury may agree to re-
moving the agreement Of last year. provided
our Government will take its turn at indem.
nifying the private sealers for the coming sea-
son, should the decision Of tho arbiters be
against our claims.
But whatever the reply OF Great Britain may
prove to be. It is quite evident that work is cut
out for our navy In policing Behring Sea. and
that the Government means to arrangoits pro-
gramme for that purpose betimea
A North River Bridse-Advies to HuilA Il
At Fort Lee.
To THE EDITOR OF The SUN-Si: Senator
Blackburn yesterday introduced bill. which
was referred TO the Committee on Commerce.
allowing the New York and New Jersey Bridge
Company to bridge the Hudson near Seventy
second street. When this company asked this
right few weeks since the same committee
after hearing the protest Of the Mayor and Of
many west side property owners. was reported
as unanimously opposed to the bill A gentle
man then present says their reason was that
the North River Bridge Company already had
Congressional sanction to cross the Hudson.
and should have reasonable time. say
three years. without rivalry. to carry
out their plan. There is o fatal objec-
ton to the plan Of each company. Tho
North River Bridge Company proposes to
cross at or south OF Twenty-third street. To
erect either at Twenty third street or Seventy
second street or anywhere else south OF 125th
street. the needed tracks and other appliances
for a vast railway system. ample to accommo-
date all the trunk routes and their many feed
ers which now converge at jersey City. would
damage tho realty Of large and thickly peo-
pied part OF this city to the extent Of scores Of
millions OF dollars, Every intelligent property
holder at all near the route would protest with
all his might. Had any such nuisance been
even limited at beforehand they would never
but an easy solution would be to simply lot
the great bridge cross at Fort Washington and
Fort Lee. The natural abutments and the
Garrowness OF the river there would cut the
cost OF the bridge down by nearly half. The
land. at an almost nominal price on the Jersey
side, and at a tenth Of the price on the New
York side that 1t would coet where now pro-
posed. would bring the entire cost Of the I'm
proyonent under s26. 100000 instead pi uGto
North River. Bridge Company's charter is |
broad enough as to crossing tho water. for It
includes all points as far north as 1Slst
street 1T has not the needed land rights on
each bank Of tho river Neither has the New
York apd New Jersey Bridge Company In
deed the little two page New Jersey char
ter OF the latter Is 30 meagre and in:
block every attempt to build under 1t.
ISut hRnnily thera IL n uniek ont The