The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-12-21

Sea. Six naval vessels, three revenue cutters,
and one vessel from the Fish Commission,
all under the command Of Commander
Evans, of the Navy, were sent into the seas,
which was systematically patro!led. Some
seizures were made, and it Is believed that
the catch in the Bering Sea by poachers
amounted to less than 500 seals. It 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 35, 900, were taken.
The existing statutes Of the United States
do not restrain our citizens from taking seals
in the Pacific Ocean, and perhaps should
not, unless the prohibition can be extended
to the citizens Of other nations. l recon-
mend that power ba given to the Presi-
dent, by proclamation, to prohibit the
taking Of seals in the North Pacific
by American vessels, in case either
as the result Of the findings OF the
Tribunal Of arbitration, or otherwise, the re
strairts can be applet to the vessels OF
all countries. The case of the United States
for the tribunal Of :rbitration has been pre-
pared with great care and industry by the
Hon. John w. Foster, and the counsel who
represent this Government express conf
dence that result substantially establish.
ing our claims and preserving this great
industry for the benefit of all nations will
be attained.
CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES.
The controversy as to tolls upon the Wei.
land Canal, which was presented TO Con
gress at the last session by special message
having failed Of adjustment, felt con-
strained to exercise the authority conferred
the act Of July 90, 1892, and to proclaim
suspension of the free use Of st. Marys
Falls Canal to car goes in transit to ports IN
Canada. The Secretary Of the Treasury
established such tolls a. were thought to be-
equivalent to the exactions unjustly levied
upon our commerce In the Canadian canals.
II, as we must suppose, the political reia-
tions OF Canada and the disposition OF the
Canadian Government are to remain uu-
changed, q somewhat radical revision OF our
trade relations should, think, be made.
Our relations must continue to be intimate,
and they should be friendly. regret to say,
however, that in many Of the controversies,
notably those as to the fisheries on the At
lantic, the sealing Interests on the racine,
and the canal tolls, our negotiations Win
Great Britain have continuously been
thwarted or retarded by unreasonable
and unfriendly objections and protests from
Canada. In the matter Of the canal tolls,
our treaty rights were fagrantly dlsre-
Ne
the Canadian Pacific and other railway
lines which parallel our northern boundary
are sustained by commerce having either lts
origin or terminus, or both, in the United
States. Canadian railroads compete with
those Of the United States for our traffic,
and without the restraints OF our interstate
commerce act. Their cars pass almost with
put detention into and out OF our territory.
There is no disposition on the part OF the
people or Government Of the United States
10 interfere in the smallest degree with the
political relations Of Canada. That question
s wholly with her own people. 1t Is Time
Tor us, however, to consider wnetner, u the
present state,of things and trend OF Things
8 to continue, our interchangee upon lines
,f land transportation should not be put up
,n different basis and our entire inde-
oendence OF Canadian canals and OF the St.
Lawrence as an outlet to the sea secured by
he construction Of an American canal
around the Falls Of Niagara and the open
ng of ship communication between the Great
Lakes and one Of our own ssaports.
We should not hesitate to avail ourselves
,f our great natural trade advantages. We
should, Withdraw the support which is given
% the railroads and steamship lines OF Can
ida by a traffic that properly belongs to US,
,ud no longer furnish the earnings which
.ghten tn, otherwise crushing weight OF the
enormous public subsidies that have. been
gwen to them. The subject Of the power OF
;ae Treasury to deal with this matter with :
,ut furtaer, legislation has been under con.
,ideration, but circumstances have post
ooned conclusion. 1t is probable that
Of the propriety OF mod:hca-
lion or abrogation OF the article CT the
Treaty Of Washington relating to transit OF
l. Io- N nnmnI6ka
solution Of the question.
THE CHILEAN TROUBLE.
Congress at the last session was kept ad-
vised OF the progress Of the serious and for a
time threatening differences between the
United States and Chile. 1t gives me now
In a most friendly and honor
able spirit has tsndsre AMI paid as an in
1emnity to the families of the sailors Of the
Baltimore who were killed and to those who
were injured in the outbreak in the city OF
Valparaiso the sum Of 900. This has been
not only as an indemnity for
wrong done, but as q most gratifying evil
ience that the Government Of Chile rightly
appreciates the disposition Of this Govern
nent to act in a spirit OF the most absolute
fairness and frien1linass in our intercourse
with that brave people. A further and con-
elusive evidence Of the mutual respect and
confidence now existing is furnished by the
fact that convention submitting to arbitra-
lion the mutual Claims Of the citizsns Of the
respective G,gsrnmsnts has been agreed
upon. .... ..... F.. -.
THE ITALIAN AFFAIR.
The friendly act Of this Government in
expressing to the Government OF Italy its
and adherence OF the lynching
or Italian subjects in New Orleans by the
payment Of l25, 900 francs or S24, 80, was
by the King of Italy with every
of gracious appreciation, and
ths incident has been highly promotive OF
mutual respect and good will.
HELP THE NICARAGUA CANAL.
Irepeat with great earnestness the recon-
nendstion whicn have made in several
previous messages that prompt and adequate
support be given to the American Company
engaged in the construction Of the. Nicaragua
Ship Canal It is impossible to overstats the
value from every standpoint of this great
snterprise, and I hope that there may be
time, even in this Congress, to give to 1t an
impetus that will insure the early completion
II the canal and secure to the United States
It's proper relation to it when completed.
HOPEFUL FOR SILVER.
The Congress has been already advised
that the invitations OF this Government for
the assembling Of an International Monetary
Conference to consider tia question OF an
enlargai uss Of silver were accepted by the
nations to which they were addressed. The
conference assembled at Brussels on the
% Of November and has entered upon the
Of this great question. Ihave
not doubted, and have not taken occasion
to express that belief, as we'll in the
invitations issued for this conference
as in my public messages, that the
free coinage of silver upon an agreed
International ratio would greatly promote
the interest Of our people and equally those
O.. other nations. It is too early to predict
what results may b. accomplished by the
r IN ference. II any Temporary check or