The morning call., 1892-03-15
THE SEAL QUESTION AGAIN.

Mr.. Erastus Wiman says that the English
Government is under tremendous pressure
from Canada in respect to the seal fisheries.
Canada wants equal rights with Americans
in Boring Sea, and Canadians are disposed
to put the English Government between
them and the consequences of the exercise
of such rights. While demanding equal
rights with the Americans they propose to
take much more. Last year under the
modus vivendi the poachers took from eight
to ten seals to one the American Company
was allowed to take. And this in the face
OF the fact that the American Government
claims the seals as its exclusive property.
While England does not admit this claim 1t
has agreed 10 leave the justice Of the claim
to be determined by board of arbiters.
If the board decides that the American
claim is Just the Canadians will have no
rights at all. If the board decides against
the United States the questions viii arise
whether the seals shall be protected by inter-
national arrangement. or whether the
poachers from all nations shall be allowed
to proceed unmolested in the work of ex
termination 1t is expected that the board
will report in the course of the present
year. BY this time next year there will be
no Berng Sea question unless action on the
part Of tie British Government shall pre-
vent the arbiters from entering upon their
| work. The English Government doubtless
| knows that the American Government
! accepted arbitration on the distinct under
! standing that the scant measure OF pro-
lection afforded the seals last year should
be continued this year The American
Government has right to demand that the
value Of the thing to be arbitrated upon
shall not be materially impaired While
arbitration is going on. Unless the
arTan cement Of last year is renewed for the
present year, the American Senate will
probably reject the treaty OF arbitration. 1t
certainly viii not bind the hands Of the ex-
ecutve branch Of the Government while
| leaving the other party free TO take all the
seals it may be able TO catch. Mr.. Wiman's
views on the effect of retaliation upon
Canada have often been stated. He is Of
the opinion that if we give Canada all she
wants in the way of freedom of trade the
province will eventually, by sheer force OF
gratitude ask to be admitted into the
Union. But if we deny Canada anything
il will make her people so mad that they
would not come to us even if convinced that
it was to her interest to do so. The graft
! lude theory does not command much conf
dence this side Of the Canadian line. There
| who propose to give Canada the free run Of
| our markets as q bait to draw her into the
Union. The prosperity which would come
to Canada through free trade with the
United States would only tend 10 confirm
her confidence in herself. Canada has re-
Gently declined TO consider a proposition TO
adopt similar policy to that Of the United
! States in respect to the immigration of Chi
nese laborers. It prefers to pocket the $50
| head money and facilitate the progress Of
| such lab0rers toward the United States.
| All this time The Canadian Pacific Railroad
| is supported mainly by a treaty which per-
mits that road to carry goods between
! American towns, privilege which for about
one hundred years has been denied to for
eign roads. II the refusal Of Lord Salisbury
30 renew the modus viyendi should result
! in a little wholesome retaliation toward
! Canada the seal fisheries will not have been
| lost in vain.