Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1892-03-30
HARRISON A DANGEROUS MAN.
LIABLE AT ANY TINE TO INVOLVE u
IN WAR.

trouble with Chill demonstrated Tic
fact that he was dangerous man to
have at the head of the Government,
and that so long as he occupied thar
positl On. there was no security that we
might not be involved in war at any
time, and in one whose rightfulness we
could not defend. He is looking to a
reelection and his jingo policy may
precipitate war-long, costly, and de
structive-and well may the New York
Herald say, sit is time for The nation to
call halt on Mr.. HarrisOn's mischiev-
Gus lingo policy.
That policy would have involved the
country in war with Chill had it not
been baffied by popular sentiment here
and by patriotism and craftsmanship
on the part of the CHILEAN government.
In spite of its failure then it is now
resorted to again. Mr.. Harrison has as
sumed the responsibility of sending a
hasty uncalled for ultimatum to Lon
don as he did few months ago to San
tiago. ga modus vivendi or war" are
his last words to Lord Salisbury.
| If Mr.. Harrison is seeking to foment
international trouble for party or per-
sonal ends at the opening of a Presi-
Dental campaign his course will be re-
garded by the people as political
crime. If he has no such purpose in
view his policy is blunder which be-
trays a decided lack of craftsmanship
| The time for an ultimatum from this
government in the Behring Sea con-
troversy has not come. The occasion
for a menace of war does not exist
When the possibilities of diplomacy
have been exhausted it will be time to
talk or think of an appeal to force.
The American people will be unit
in maintaining the national honor and
defending the national rights in any
Just event They are equally one in
Icondemning any reckless rushing into
trouble without cause or excuse.
The functions of diplomacy have by
no means been exhausted in the Behr-
ing Sea controversy. Mr.. Harrison has
insisted upon a renewal of last years
modus vivendi. Lord Salisbury has re-
fused it. Very well. 1t is not a case OF
a modus vivendi. or war. There is an
other feasible ground of meeting and
settlement.
. Lord Salisbury comedies that the
j.. United States will be entitled to the
| 10
dian sealers if its claim to Behring Sea
is sustained by the arbitrator. He ad
mits that the United States may rea
sonably ask for bond of indemnity
But he suggests that it look to the seal
, ers for bonds. Mr.. Harrison properly
rejects this suggestion.
Now, this is difference easily recon
, ciled Let Lord Salisbury and Mr.. Har
! rison agree to national indemnity b.
Great Britain. If the arbitrator shall
decide that the seals taken by Canadian
vessels were the property of the Unite'
4 States, Great Britain can have no valit
objection to paying for them, as the,
were taken with Its permission and b,
it's authority. If, on the other hand
', the arbitrator find that Behring Sc
is open to the world, the Canadians wi
have their seals and England will hav
nothing to pay.
Lord Salisbury cannot object to thi:
:, for he maintains that the arbitrator
= will sustain the English contention, i
= which event England cannot be Gale
. upon for damages. The arrangement
ought to be satisfactory to this couI
try, since, if we sustain our claim to tn
. sea, we will be guaranteed payment TO
I all the seals taken by Canadian sealers
While some such agreement as this
: feasible it is worse than idle to indulg
/ in threats of resorting to force. Indeed
it is open to serious question whethe
under any circumstances the Harrison
Il administration would be justified il
: enforcing the national authority befor
the rights claimed are affirmed by tn
S pending arbitration. A nation cal
q hardly go to war ON a doubtful claim
Our alleged title to Behring Sea is
doubtful claim, not a clear right. Whel
the arbitrator give their decision evel
= the claim may vanish.
i Now, suppose Mr.. Harrison should G.
= on to enforce the right he claims ant
0 thereby bring on a war, then in tn
: midst of hostilities the arbitrator
e should decide that the United State
had no right to enforce its authority il
Behring Sea. What POSITION tina
would leave this country in!
g 1t is the part of craftsmanship to set
d tie such controversies as this amicably
a Martial threats are not in order. Blus
= ter and iingoism are a mischievous nui
d Sance.
AS Mr.. Harrison himself has declared
g sit would discredit in the eyes of tn
world the two great governments in
/ volved if the paltry profits in a singl
t season should be allowed to thwart o
) even disturb the honorable and friend
o ly adjustment of their difference, whicl
: is so nearly concluded"
1t is time for both Mr.. Harrison an,
Lord Salisbury to drop political bun
combe and come to sensible agree
u mentn
l. Mrs. Leonard, wife of the Rev. s. c
Leonard, of Milledgeville, Ga, wa
4 killed on Wednesday by Lewis VII
i liams, colored, whom she discovere,
Il stealing in her house.