Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-01-09
III WAS AN INSULT
The Democratic House Shows
an UnfriendIy Spirit
TOWARD A WARTIME FRIEND


wAsHixsrox. Jan. s.-Thsre is one
fact connected with the refusal OF the
house democrats to pass the senate
resolution TO furnish . ship 10 trans-
port gram to Rusaa 10 which attention
may Be, properly called. Mugwumps
sili' sneer that it is suggestion at the
bloody shirt. BnE sneers will not
change history. At critical period IN
the war OF the war Of the rebellion
when France and England were sup
posed TO be on the point Of recognizing
the southern confederacy the Russian
government sent feet to this country
under sealed orders, aud as was we'll
known to the European monarchs Who
were plotting against the union. the
sealed orders were of such q
character as would have been OF
untold benefit 10 the union in
case Of European complications
IL looked Wednesday as though the ex-
confedera,es had not forgotten that
service on the part nf the Russian gov
eminent 20 the north. and that they
we're not inclined to forgive IL. Had
there been y republican majority IN Che
house there is no doubt that the reso-
luton would have passed "a promptly
a it passed the senate Yesterday. The
government Of this great republic re-
fuses TO send TO Russia the charitable
offering OF It's citizens, aud has practi-
rally offered an insult TO the only gov
trnment IN Europe which was friendly
TO us at the most critical period since
Dur constitution was adopted, aud for
this wretched piece OF work the people
Of the country can thank the demo-
cratic party. Not single republican
shaFed ia the ignomIny. ana but few
democrats were patriotic enough to
Fote against their Own party IL this
matter. a few southern men yester-
lay contidentially acknowledged to
heir northern friends that this hatred
,f Russia by ex-confederates because OF
he attitude of Russia IN the war con-
rolled many votes Yesterday.
nshriny Sea Complexities.
Some very sharp things are said about
lc reports that Great Britain had en-.
ssred into an agreement which will de-
ny the completion of the arbitratiou ~
20 the Behring Sea. Those who are
most affected by this are the represen-
iAtsyes of the company which mas the
,ontract from tho government for the
catching OF seals. These persons nain-
ain that the object of the delay which
Lord salisbury has ben speaking OF
and is very likely TO effect. is that Ca
madam sealeTs may have another sea-
son for the catching OF seals without
interference by treaty. IL such 10 the
object of the movement, time 10 mat
Ter Of grs- importance 20 the British
gogsxpmeut IN this Particular. the
seaiing ss ason begirs Nay |. In order
to mai q closed ssason effective il will
be necessary for the United States gov
ernment 20 send its orders TO its agents
IN fifteen days from now, so great IS
the distance. II vii be seen, therefore.
hat IL there shall tc fifteen davs or q
month consumed Ia completing the ar
bitrat.on, which 10 was supposed had
heen concluded, the new treaty. even
IL il shall be ratified. can not 60 into
effect the coming season. The result
will be that the poaching vessels will
have another year IN which TO make
depredations upon the seals.
Destruction OF Seals.
President Harrison has been assured
hv treasury experts who have visited
Alaska waters that fully 400 900 seals
were destroyed by the poachers last
rasor. In other words. the poachers
have secured 50.o00 skins, for il is esti-
Iuated that At leas. eight seals are de-
siroyed in water by these Illicit poach-
Prs for every one that ia saved. The
value OF the stake which the poachers
have in securing delay 10 thus very con-
siderable. II is known also that from
he very outset IN these proceedings the
Canadian governments has been IN OBJ
lssclc in coming to q speedy conclu-
son. Secretary Bsyard called atten-
ton 10 this very sharply IN one OF the
latest letters which he wrote before he
lett the state department. lie conf
planned OF the delay in communicating
with Great Britain because matters had
first to be sent TO Downing street, then
there was consultation with the Cana
dian government and report back to
London. causing delay which ultimately
tended TO defeat the negotiation. The
new demand whleh Great Britain has
made q ths. there shall he several nrbi-
traitors instead cs the three which had
been sgreed upon IN the preliminary
conference between Sir Julian Paunce-
fote and the administration here.
President Harrison IS annoyed a. this
change of face on the part of TIE Brit
ish government. particularly for the
reason that u Is certain 10 involve de-
lay, which will be followed by the con-
seQuence already pointed out To
change the plan Of arbitration at this
moment Will make il certain that the
sailing vessels shall have another sea-
on for continuing their Expectations
after which, Il the statements of some
Of the experts are irue, It will be of no
consequences whether treaty exists
between the United states and Great
Britain providing fer close season or