Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-03-14
ENGLAND WILL FIGHT
If the United States Stops EngliShmen
from Sealing in Bering Sea.
SOSAYSA BLOODY ENGLISHMAN." j."
Salisbury's Mouth Pieces Say that Br tish Sealers
Will be Protected-England Admirably Pre-
pared to Defend Her Subjects-What She
Would Gain By Such a War.


controversy is apparently assuming a
serious aspect. The latest news from
Washington has aroused an interest in
the subject that did not before exist,
and everybody is anxious TO learn the
next move Of Lord Salisbury and Presi-
dent Harrison There is an impression
in England growing out Of the Chilean
controversy that President Harrison
means what he says, and there Is moth
ing Of what Americans call "bluff''
about his warming or his demand. 1t is
well known that Lord Salisbury is
equally in earnest, and that he will sus-
tain whatever course may be determined
upon with any naval and military power
that may be necessary.
The foreign Office is reticent, and as
yet has given the public no official state
ment as TO the position Of the British
Government, but Lord Salisbury
mouthpieces all speak in tone that
leaves no doubt that England's navy
will be ready to meet any aggression in
the open waters of Bering Sea, and the
British seaiers will be defended in cap
turing seals beyond the coast limit OF
American Jurisdiction. That is, Eng
land will take no offensive action, but
will be resolutely on the defensive,
leaving to the American Government TO
assume the responsibility for hostile ac-
tion, should any be taken on the Bering
Sea issue.
The British will fight, and are ready
to fight, if necessary" said one OF the
. IN
"but we do not seek fight. II the
United States Government Is insane
enough to go TO war, or TO make show
of force that would be tantamount to
provoking war for the sake OF their
Alaska sealing, which is really what Is
az the bottom of the whole difficulty,
and which it thinks it can maintain a
monopoly OF by getting the Government
of the United States TO take up It's
cause, on such an issue, England Will
90 before the world il America wishes
to challenge her."
81 have not the slightest apprehen-
sion that war will be the result OF the
Bering Sea controversy" said a gentle
man slightly connected with the Eng
lish Admiralty, "but If such should un-
fortunately be the case, England is bet
ter prepared for a conflict than she ever
was In history As foT bho-amer!caas
taking Canada, they seem to forget that
it took them four years TO inJure the
South, which had whole population
about equal TO that Of Canada and did
not have an English Meet
to assist it. Campaigning In
Canada would be very differ
ent affair from campaigning In the
Southern States of the American Union
and the Canadians would be generally
found loyal to the English flag. | do
not doubt that the Americans could
conquer Canada, but it would not be In
a year or two years, or without the sac
rifce of many thousands Of lives and
the expenditure OF hundreds
of millions OF dollars. The
talk about an easy conquest
OF Canada is amusing TO military and
naval men acquainted with the situa-
tion. In other respects" added the
speaker, England is in iirst-rate con-
dtion to defend her subjects against
American aggression. Russia is In a
pitiabe situation, financially and phys
ically, and a recent careful review OF
the military resources 6f our Indian
empire shows that India is well able TO
take care of herself, should Russia
move in that direction. In one import
ant respect England would gain by a
war with the United states. 1t would put
an end to American encroachments on
English commerce with South America,
and would tend to solidify all parts Of
the empire and to bind the American
Colonies especially more securely TO
Britain. British commerce would gain
more than il would lose, and American
commerce would cease to exist. But
there is deep, underlying stratum OF
common sense and sound Judgment in
the American character that will, in
my opinion, preYent any step from be-
ing taken that would imperil the friend
lv relations now existing between the
two great English speaking countries. "