The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1892-04-21
The Behring Sea Controversy.
The Disgrace Upon Us.

| Ine DlSSTAce upon Cs.
The news of yesterday indicated
that before President Harrison lef,
Washington for brief vacation hs
finished his personal inspection and
revision of the final papers in the
Behring sea controversy and affixed
his signature to the documents by
which our differences with England
over the seals are to be settled by ar
bitration. Throughout the entire cor
respondence between Great Britain
and United States, during the present
republican administration, the presi-
dent has been firm in upholding
American rights and insisting upon
their recognition by England. What.
ever shall come of the arbitration
itself, there will never be any cause
of regret for any utterance of this
government in maintaining its dig
nifty and proper position among the
nations of the world in its conten-
ton over Behring sea. Hooking
Valley Journal, April 15.)
Now whether or not the above
presentation of the Behring sea af-
fair, is wilful perversion of the
facts, or lack of information on
the matter, is for an intelligent pub
lie to judge.
The settlement made by our gov
ernment is the most cowardly and
disgraceful and imbecile diplomacy
in our history.
The facts are these: Our govern
ment bought and paid Russia for
Alaska. The Alaska purchase in
cluded all the possessions of Rus,
sian America, principally important
among the possessions are the Beh-
ring sea seal fisheries. Lately the
seal fisheries becoming very valua-
bic, the British fishermen invaded
the waters and began en- indiscrim-
mate capture and destruction of our
seals. Our fishermen protested.
The American people became arous-
ed and demanded that the British
thieves and tresspassers be driven off,
and that if need be our purchased
pror erty be protected by war.
Blaine made his usual blow and
buster. The British must leave at
once and apologize, and pay
damages.
The British suggested arbitration.
This was taken up and discussed.
In the meantime the seal stealing
continued. A modus vendlvi was
proposed that is, "things should go
On as was going on" and after the
matter was finally settled, then the
party adjudged damaging should |
pay. Blaine would have nothing Of |
this sort. He wanted war. Then
the huge British iron clads about
Burmuda began to smoke. An iron
would sail out and look
.round. Says Mr.. Blaine in effect,
'please Mr.. John Bull chain your
logs, lets arbitrate.'' AND then
Arbitration began and continued un-
Ill as our contemporary says, ''the
president 1signed the papers, and
yoes off on fishing lark.
The treaty is this. We submit
o an arbitration of foreign govern
nents, all of whom are unfrisndly,
O settle case in which if we have
my claims at all, we have all we
lain, and then agree to. pay to
treat Britain any damage to her
ishing interests in the Behring sea
Which Arbitrators may adjudge.
We bought from Russia all we
lain. Russia stands ready to make
;ood the title of the property she
old US. Great Britain trespasses.
fires up her war vessels. We agree
o compromise. We will pay what
tally and Denmark and Spain say
re owe Great Britain for killing
ur own seals.
This is ''maintaining our dignity
mong the nations," isn't it?