The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-07-03

shown the ships log, register and other papers.
The absence OF manifest seemed to astonish
him greatly.
Captain Mcclellan explained that when YES
Sci cleared for the North Pacific ocean, as the
Coquitlam had done, it was hardly necessary
for her to carry manifest He then said ana
repeated that the Coquitlam had discharged
cargo that day in the harbor. This Captain
Mcclellan emphatically denied. The log book
was then overhauled, and the lieutenant hit
upon an entry showing that schooners had been
towed out of Tonki bay. 'You had no bust
ness TO tow vessels out of American waters,'
said he, doubtless thinking the schooners
might have telephoned for tug to the
coast of America, 1000 miles away,
sand" he continued, ''you have
violated the law in transferring within six
miles of shore. The upshot of the whole affair
was that he carried the papers, logbook and all.
aboard the Corwin, leaving First Lieutenant
Mcclure in charge. In a few moments Captain
Hooper, of the Corwin, sent his boat off for Cap
tain Mcclellan. After visit of some minutes
Captain Mcclellan returned with the information
that the vessel was seized and must proceed to
Sitka, leaving next morning Lieutenant
Quinan and Engineer Breerton, with posse OF
six men came aboard and accompanied the YES
sci to sitsa, but lett the entire working OF the
ship to Captain Mcclellan and his crew.
In the minds of those aboard the Coquitlam
there is no doubt of it being premeditated
step. The object was the cripplng for the sea-
son of the British sealing feet. Whether or not
the courts sustain the action of the naval au-
thorities. that object will be achieved. Lacking
provisions, large majority Of the fleet will be
obliged to return home. The officers OF the
Corwin acknowledge that they were acting
der orders in seizing the vessel U. 5. District
Attorney Johnson also stated that Captain
Hooper, of the Corwin, had received instruc-
tons from the flagship Yorktown to "seize the
supply ship" AT the time those orders were
given the officer giving them could have had no
information that the Coquitlam was In Alaskan
waters. Neither the Yorktown nor any other
cruiser could have seen her; it was impossible
for a sailing vessel to have reported her, and
there were no steamers to do so. lie doubtless
received instructions before proceeding north.
This morning the sealers' association
held special meeting to consider the sit
uation, but took no action, owing to the
absence of full information, which is
looked for by the Topeka, due tomorrow.
Collector of Customs Milne has placed the
facts before the Canadian government, and
in an interview asserts that the Coquit-
lam's papers were all regular. The con-
census of opinion is that the seizure of
the steamer was planned weeks ahead, TO
force the sealers by starva ton to forsake
even waters which no one has dared TO
dispute their right TO hunt in. Sealing
men expect the steamer to be released on
bonds and come down at once, and that
the case will be won by the Britishers in
the courts, but in the meantime the mis-
chief has been done. The Times, the lead
ing Liberal paper of the province, sums
up an editorial review of the case by
saying:
The United States government has, by the
seizure of the Coquitlam, offended not only
against the owners OF the steamer and against
Canada, but against all other nations, for it has
presumed to make q change in weli-established
international law without consulting any other
government. The thrse-m!le limit has by gen
eral consent been made the extent of iexc,usi
Jurisdiction by any nation over the waters OF
the open sea, aud how can the United States
presume 10 change this 10 g
twelve limit By its own voli-
ton. The C0rwin's actions must tie
condemned unless We are much mistaken BIZ
their own courts. Ii il il held to be good in
law then the Canadian government should
quickly test the utility OF the new rule by seiz
.ug any Yankee vessel fishing within twelve
miles OF the Atlantic coast Of Canada. Very
likely we should then sudden turn about
the part of our American cousins, who are
notoriousiy unwilling 70 see taeir own rules Ell
forced against the2se4 YES There must bs some
limit 10 American iupuaence.