The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-03-24
COLONEL GRAHAM's VIEWS.
He Does Not Reg rd the Telegram as
Genuine.

He Does Not Reg rd the Telegram as
Genuine.
Lieutenant Colonel Graham, post COM
mander at the Preside, was shown the war
like telegram about o'clock last evening,
and he expressed some surprise at ii, not
necessarily because of its positive character
and the fact that it smacked some of a clash
between the two greatest nations on earth,
but that il has been made pubic If there is
any truth in II. Under all circumstances
proceedings of that character are state
secrets and guarded very jealousy by.the
authorities, even after they have taken
effect. The fact that this intelligence comes
ont so suddenly, and without any previous
warning Of what was taking place, sur
rounds II with suspicion. 1t looks to him
very much like the ing eniOus fabrication OF
some none oO-careful newsgatherer who is
fond of little sensation now and then.
Colonel Graham next viewed the subject
from another point. The fact that it
bristles with sDuuk, he thinks, does not
necessarily put a serious aspect on the case,
even If the report is genuine. He is inclined
to think that England knows very well she
Is wrong all through this controversy and
has no right whatever TO encourage or per-
NIT poaching in the Bering Sea- When
Russia owned those sealeries England never
Thought OF asserting any such right or TAX
ing any such position. 1t was only after
the fishing territory was purchased by the
petty larceny began on the part of English
sealers, and was indfferently encouraged
By the English Government.
at always looked" said the colonel, las
though England, and other nations as well,
seemed To regard the United States as very
slow about getting her pluck up, end they
knew they could take all sorts Of advantage
OF her and pile every sort of indigGity upon
her without any fear OF being called to ac-
count.
acff fba,,
OF these fine days. This nation may be
slow to anger, but when she does get mad
the Cause had better keep an eve out.
"Of course. You understand" added the
colonel, that even if this dispatch is true it
does not amount 10 anything like war The
PRESIDENT cannot declare war while Congress
Is IN session, but he may take measures
TO prevent an infringement of national
rights. He no doubt has the power to pro-
tect the sealeries from depred tiou, and
that is all that this means. Ii Will not be
an attack at English commerce or England's
maritime inteTestS-slmply means of pro-
lection against English poacbers, who are
behaving.like pirates in the sealing territory.
1ou ask If 1t could amount to war.
Certainly 1t could, but | cannot conceive
that there is the slightest danger of it. Eng
land has got too much at stake, she can't
afford 10 engage In war with this nation.
She may have lots better navy than ours,
but she knows mighty well that Uncle Sam
10 dmdlS tuuhl 10 any emergency, ana VIII
not be lacking In this. 1t seems entirely out
of the question that any nation will ever
dream OF ieopardizng so much for a few
miserable little seals.
Even under ordinary circumstances Eng
land could not afford to 20 TO war on SO
trifiing an issue. but she is now in a more
vulnerable position than ever before i'm her
history. She has many irons in the fire,
and Will surely get some Of them burned If
she goes to fooling with this country.
No." said the colonel in conclusion, "For
many obvious reasons | can't credit that re-
p.rt. And don't believe there will be war
or eveu the menace of war. Our naval force
on this coast is fairly good, what there is
OF il, and they will make the poachers
think the Bering waters very warm II thev
ever started after ihem."