Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1892-03-17
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WHAT OUR STATESMEN FIND TO
KEEP THEM BUSY.

VITAL SON oIA cSMEN FIND tx
KEEP THEM BUSY.
The Behring Sea Question Causes Mucl
Commotion-Harbor Defenses Needed O,
the Pacific Constellation Gaining 1,
the Presidential Race-WM Restrict I'm
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Morrill, Ill-Notes.
Especial for the BELLOWS FALLS TIMEs.l
WASHINGTON, d. c., March Is, 1892
There are no new developments in the
Behring sea controversy. In the senate
MIR. Frye created considerable excite.
ment by one of his explosive speeches
proposing to retaliate by refusing to
Canada the privilege she now ENJOYS OF
transporting goods in bond through the
United States, and other senators en-.
dorsed the proposition. Sena tor Teller
was in favor of Immediately sending
war vessels to the sealing grounds to
protect American interests, Senator
Hale. supposed to be speaking for Secre-
tary Blaine, advocated ratification of
the treaty on the ground that it would
commit Great Britain to an ACKNOWLEDGE.
ment that the United States had certain
rights in Behring sea, which Great
Britain has not heretofore admitted. It
was pointed out that the preservation of
seals within the 80 mile limit is really of
less importance than their protection in
aoJacent waters. Whereas there were
6o,ooo seals legitimately caught last sea-
son, there were 100000 left dead upon
the rocks and 80 900 pups that died be-
cause their mothers had been do
stoyed. Lord Salisbury pleads inability
to compel Canadians to discontinue
poachlng, and lays the whole blame on
the shoulders of the Canadians, He
makes no secret of the fact that he can
not control Canada in this matter. much
as he would like to. This being the case.
suspension of the commercial priv
leges now enjoyed by Canada NAV be the
means of speedy settlement of the
affair. There has been some war talk
about the capitol, but leading statesmen
deprecate the idea, believing the dignity
OF the U nlted States can be upheld with
out bloodshed, reserving armed warfare
as last r. sort should England try bull
dozlng. Retaliatory measures will prob
aply De adopted, but at present the mat
ter rests awaiting a reply from Salisbury
Representative Herbert, chairman of
Tue mouse committee on naval affairs,
mas prepared an elaborate report to ac-
company the appropriation. bill. The
amount recommended is less than that
passed by the last congress by nearly
$9.OOO, OOO which is due to a surplus re-
naming from that appropriation. The
report states that the authorization of
shlps mas not been unreasonable, and the |
results OF our efforts to establish plants
Tor building ships, for armor plates, gun |
iorglngs and the assembling of guns, |
nave been, considering the results at
famed, extremely gratifying. 1t believes
mat every dollar needed for the compile
tlon OF ships heretofore authorized
should be appropriated, and it should
De the settled policy of congress to au-
tnorlze the construction Of one or
more vessels at each session till our navy
Is Drought up to the point our needs
demand. The committee thinks eight or
nine battle ships, in addition to the three
already authorized, would make the
navy powerful enough, but more swift
cruisers are needed as commerce destroy
ers.
Gen. Miles recently gave some inter-
esting testimony to senate committee
On the condition of Pacific coast de.
fenses. There is not gun on the entire
coast that would stand a service charge,
and few war ships could capture every
city and get control of all the railroads
On the other hand, in ten days time
United States troops could occupy all
British Columbia, and get control of the
railroads. The British government
keeps fleet of war vessels at Vancou-
yer Island that is always ready for
service and we are without power to
oppose their work. At San Francisco
the few guns are poorly mounted and
while well enough for salute, would
be dismounted at the first volley with a
regulation charge. Foreign powers are
well acquainted with the state of affairs,
and Gen. Miles believes that they are
even better acquainted with the way
matters stand than onr own officials.
Senator Washburn introduced bill to
further regulate immigration and pre-
,ent the importation Of aliens under con-
tract to perform labor. The bill imposes
Ia license tax upon steamship companies
IF 81 head for each passenger brought; {
| ,quires steamers before sailing to give {
ponds for $4,000 to guarantee the re-
urn of any passengers found to have
,een brought over in violation of law
rescribes certain written declarations
g8rQlnK previous cOuulGlOQ OF lmml-
lants to be made before permission is ,
iven to land, and also prescribes penal i
les for violations of the law. A thor
ugh medical inspection is also required I
X all emigrants by officers of the marine
,spital service.
Friday the senate considered the post I
fice building measure. 1t was shown +
at more than $4,000, 900 has been
ent on post office buildings in ten cities |
t of a total of $150,0O0,OOO that has
zen expended for public buildings since
e Foundation of the government. The
Int now paid for second class post !
aices is 1892 600 and for third class post
fices $2S2 900 aggregating S774, 1000 I
hich is three per cent on about $25,- :
1000, and it would thus be cheaper to
,iid than to rent. The measure pro-
,ses the erection of buildings in 1900
wns. where the receipts of the post G
ice has exceeded $4,000 for three sue a
,aive wears.