New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-03-12
SHALL VIZ HAVE NEW ISSUE'

In the course Of the Gillian affair Il WIS rem
dcred tolcrably clear that the American people
entertained nothing but disgust for those par
,isans who imputcd to President Harrison a
selfish and discredi,able motive for the wise anu
necessary course he pursued. Ihere Is not inc
shadow of doubt that he spoke the views anu
enforced the will of the whole Nation with prac-
tical unanimity lie did II firmly, with the w
most dignity moderation and tact, and the wholo
people are greatly pleased. And yet there were
some petty, spiteful, partisan newspapers ana
few such politicians, who undertook to mis-
represent him. charging that he was engaged in
game of buster and bravado for campaign
purposes. There can be no meaner charge than
this nor one more wounding TO patriotic SIN
core official. Moreover, in an international al ar
il Is removed from actual treason only in degree.
IFS obvious effect is 70 encourage the foieiSh
disputant to periS. in his offensive conduct, I'M
messed with the idea that we are divided ana
irresoute and that our Government does not
mean what il saws There is no doubt that the
Cbilians went TO the lengths they did only be-
cause that kind OF talk deceived Minister Montt.
IL he had understood that it was nothing but
partisan spite, and regarded as such by the
American people, his private counsels to the
Chilian Government would have been much moro
in harmony with the peaceful sentiments he was
daily expressing to Secretary Blaine.
And now we have an affair with England and
those same partisan scamps are at thclf ola tcKS
again. The Behring Sea dispute is not new nor
necessarily dangerous. Indeed, 1t IS IN lar
way 10 be settled with entire credit to both sides
and unless LORD Salisbury is fooled, as Mr.. Mont'
was into the idea that the contemplate Sug-
gestions of such newspapers as "Ihe Evening
Post" represent anything or anybody OF lmpor-
lance. TIE whole matter will he properly adjusted
without much more delay. But England IS not
Chill. and a false notion Of American sentiment
on Lord Saisbury's part may have the most
serious consequences The present issue is one
pon which we can make no concession With
out conceding everything; while he can meet
Us and vet concede nothing of real value to HIM.
This is plain. Already we have agreed TO az
b,rate the whole question OF our nights IN 'he
seal ard to such a marine jurisdiction an VIII
enable us to protect them. 1t is not to the point
now. therefore, to argue the merits OF that qlcS-
ton. ID is before the court, and we shall take
what we get The present controversy Is a
question by itself. We demand that while the
title of the property is being passed upon both
sides shall lct the property alone. LORD sans
bury demuIs. and urges that oar fears that ne
will irreparably ruin il are unfounded. we re-
ply that they are founded only too we'll, but
that. however founded whether i'll or WE'LL there
is no propricty in one party to dispute abou'
the ownership of property using the night he
claims as if it had already been awarded him {;
and we have minated that the safety OF the
sea-herd pending arbitration must be guaran-
teed.
Is not this fair and right? Whatever may
he thought Of the merits OF our claim, since both
sides have aoroed to submit it to an impartial
tribunal, the President would be without justlf-
cation if, before judgment, he allowed the seal
10 lie DESTROYED or the value Of property in any
way diminished. lie has expressed himself on
this point firmly, as becomes the head OF great
State. but most temperately, most discreetly and
in Wc'l-chOscn terms Of responsiveness. But
because he does not play p,rillanimous part, he
is assaulted as a tailtwister" willing 20 invite
4 war between brothers in order to get few
votes 1t is time the American people expressed
themselves about this kind Of talk II hurts
them and their interests far more than it hurts
Nlr. HlffSOil. j paw W ~
but as ex-Minister Phelps remarked in his article
in Iarpers Magazine' last April, it is carefully
recorded in Her Majestys Foreign Office, reprint
ed in British newspapers. and held by the Brit
ish public to mean that the Americans care moth
ing about the interests involved and pay no re-
spect 70 their Government and its contentious
This is the reputation these partisans are giving
US and they would better stop. They have gone
TOO far already If they want to make the next
campaign turn on the Presidents foreign policy,
if they want the people to vote whether they
will sustain Mr.. Harrison in upholding the honor
dignity and rights Of the Nation, they have only
to persist in these attacks. The Republicans
they may be sure, will accept the issue II there
| is a single State in the forty -four which can be
carried on the proposition that an American
| Executive should allow the Nations interests
or fame TO be compromised by weak submission
| TO England or any other Power, the Democrats
can have it.