Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1892-12-16
THE BERINs SEA TREATY.


of South American trade.
THE BERINs SEA TREATY.
A treaty providing for the arbitration OF
the dispute between Great Britain anu tne
limited States. as to the killing OF seals in the
Rerino Sea was concluded on the 29th OF
February last. This treaty was accompanied
nv an agreement prohibiting peiagic sealing
nending the arbitration, AMI vigorous
effort was made during this season to drive
ont all poachiny ssalers from the Bering
Eaa. Six naval vessels three revenue cutters
ard one vessel from the Fish Commission
all nnder the command OF Commander
Evans, Of the Navy. were sent into the seas
which was systematically patrolled. Some
seiznres were made, and it is believed that
the catch in the Bering Sea by poachers
amounted to less than 500 seals. 1t is true,
however. that in the North Pacific, while
the seal herds were on their way TO the
passes between the Aleutian Islands very
large number, probably s., 0OO, were taken.
The existing statutes OF the United Stases
do not restrain our citizens from taxing seais
in the Pacific Ocean, and perhaps should
not. unless the prohibition can be EXTENDED
10 the citizens Of other nations. l recon-
mend that power be given to the fresl-
dent. by proclamation. to prohibit the
taking of seals in the North Faclnc
bv American vessels, IN case eitner
as the result of the findings OF the
tribunal of arbitration, or otherwise, the re.
stra;nts can be appliei to the vessels OF
oil countries. The case of the United states
for the tribunal of arbitration has been pre-
pared with great care and industry by the
Ron John w. Foster, and the counsel VINO
represent this Government express conn
dence that a result substantially estaoilsn.
ing cur claims and preserving TINS gres9,
industry for the benefit or all nations VIII
be attained
CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES.
The controversy as to tolls upon the Well
lan1 Canal, which was presented to Con-
press at the last session by special message
having failed OF adjustment teit con-
strained to exercise tle authority conlerre1
nv the act Of July 25, 1899, and TO proclaim
asrsransion of the free uss of st. Marys
Falls Canal to cargoes in transit to ports IN
Canada The Secretary of the Treasury
established such tolls as were thought to be
equivalent to the eXactions unJustly ieVie1
mon our commerce in the Canadian canals
r. as we must suppose, the political reia-
tions OF Canada aud the disposition OF tue
CANADIAN Government are to remain un'
changed a somewhat radical revision OF our
trade relations should, | think, be maze.
Our relations must continue to oe intimate
and thev slould be friendly. regret to say,
however. that in many OF the controversies
notably those as to the fisheries on tue Az
lautic. the sealing interests on the Faclncr
and the canal tolls, our negotiations WIN
Great Britain have continuously Oeeh
thwarted or retarded by unreasoRaols 1as
and unfrien ily objections and protests from
Canada. Iu the matter of the canal tohS,
onr treaty rights were fagranty dlsre-
carried 1t Is hardly to0 much to say tnat
fhe Canadian Pacific and other railway
inas which parallel our northern boundary
are sustained by commerce having either ITS
orio1n or terminus or both, IN the Ohlteu
States Canadian railroads compete "Iou
those Of the United States for our tratlc,
and without the restraints OF our interstate
commerce act. Their cars pass almost "lth-
ont detention into and out OF our territory
There is no disposition on the part OF tue
neoole or Government OF the United States
10 interfere in the smallest degree with tne
volit;cal ralations of Canada. That question
Is wholly with her own people. 1t Is tina
for rs however, 70 consider whether, II tne
present state Of things AMI trenl OF IhihBS
Is 70 continue. our interchanges upon lines
Of land trans oortation should not be put up
on q different basis, ami our entire IN le'
pendencs 0. Canadian canals and or the 81.
Lawrence as an outlet 10 the sea securei Oy
the construction OF an American canal
around the Falls OF NiagaIa AMI the open
ing of ship Communication between the 6reA1
Lakes and one Of our own seaports.
We should not hesitate 70 avail ourselves
of our great natural trade advantages. We
should withdraw the support which Is given
to the railroads ami steamship lines OF Can
ada by a traffic that properly belongs to US
and no longer furnish the earnings Wnlcn
liphten the otherwise crushing weight OF the
enormous public subsidies that have been
given to them. Th9 subject OF the power OF
the Treasury to deal with this matter witn-
out further legislation has been under con-
sideration, but circumstances nave post
ponsd a conclusion. IL is probable that
consideration of the propriety OF modihca-
tion or abroyation OF the article OF the
Treaty Of Washington relating to transit oil
goods in bond IS involved in any complete
solution Of the question.
THE CHILEAN TROUBLE.
Congress at the last session was kept ad-
vsed of the progress Of the serious ana Tor
time threatening differences between the
United States AMI Chile. 1t gives me now
great satisfaction 10 report that the Chilean
Government. in a most friendly AMI honor
able spirit has tenderei AMI pllt as an IN
demnitv to the families of the sailors OF the
Baltimore who were killed and TO those who
were injured in this outbre * in the city OF
VALPARAISO the sun OF S15,OJJ. ms mas Oeeh
accepted, not only as al intemnlty Tor
X
dence that the Governmsnt OF Chile rightly
appreciates the disposition OF this Govern
lnent 20 act in a spirit OF the most absolute
fairness aud frien illness in our lntercouse
WIFI that brave peoole. A further nd con-
cus;ve evidence Of the mutual respect and
conhdencs now existing is furniShet by tue
fact that a convention submitting TO arbitra-
ton the mutual Gains of the ctizens OF the
respective Governments has been agreed
upon.
THE ITALIAN AFFAIR.
The friendly act of this Government in
expressing to the Government of Italy Its
re5robation and adherence of the iynching
OF Italian subjects in New Orleans by the
payment of l2j 900 francs, or $4, 33O9J, was
accepted by the King Of Italy with every
manifestation OF gracious appreciation, ana
the incident has been highly promotiYe oil
mutual respect and good will.
HELP THE NICARAGUA CANAL
l repeat with great earnestness the recon-
mendation which / have made in several
previous messages that prompt and adequate
support be given to the American Company
engaged in the construction OF the Nicaragua
Shio Canal. 1t is impossi lie to overstate the
value from every standpoint OF this great
enterprise, and 1 hope that there may b'
time even in this Congress- TO give TO 1t an
impetus tnat Will insure tae earlV cOmpletlOn
of the canal ami secure to the United States
its proper relation to it when completed
HOPEFUL FOR SILVER
The Congress has been already advised
that the invitations OF this Gov ernment for
the assembling Of IAN international Monetary
Conference 70 consider tns question OF an
enlargel use OF silver we're accsptet by the
nations to which they were al lresse1. Tue
conference assembled at Brussels on tbs
% OF November anil has entersi upon th'
consideration OF tais great question lhav'
not doubted, and have not taken occa5ior
TO express that bsie' as we'll IN th'
invitations issuei tor this conference
as in my public messages. that tl'
free coinage of silver uDon au agres'
international ratio would greatly promote
the interest Of our people aud equally thos
: o. other nations. II is too early 70 predic
3 what results may bs accomplished by th
= conferences. II any temporary check o
delay intervenes l believe that very 500
= commercial conditions will compel the no'
reluctant Governments to unite with US
2 this movement TO secure the enlargement o
OF the volums OF ccned money needed 70