The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-03-08
Status ofthe Behring Sea Dispute Is the
Same as 1t Was Two Years Ago.
Then Lord Salisbury Said Her Britannia Maj
ssty Would Hold Uncle Sam Responsible if
the Seal Poachers We're Seized.
Judicial Nom nations Likely to Be Con.
firmed by the Senate Within Week.
Mr. Springer's Physician Says the Congress-
Two Misunderstanding Blaines Illness.
SALISBURY'S PROTEST.
The Behrin g-sea Controversy Now In
Same Position an I'm 1890

sALIsBURY's PROTEST.
The Behrin g-sea Controversy Now In she
Same Position AZ in 1890.
srecial to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, March THE President
has taken the Behring.sea question in
hand and this morning. in the enforced alb
sence of Mr.. Blaine. on account of sickness.
had an extended interview with the Hon.
j. w. Foster. who has the matters in charge
in the State Department. Lord Salisbury's
refusal to renew the modus vivendi
leaves the questions in dispute where they
were prior to June, 1896. At that time Sir
Julian Pauncefote, the British minister to-
Washin gton, stated the position of Eng
land as follows:
Her Britannia Majesty's government
have learned, with great concern, from no
tees which have appeared In the press and
the general accuracy OF which has been
confirmed by MIR. Blaine's statements to
the undersigned, that the government OK
the United States have issued instructions
to the revenue cruisers about to be dis
patched to Behring sea. under which the
vessels of British subjects will again be ex-
posed in the prosecution of their leRitl-
mate industry On the high seas to unlawful
interference at the hands of American of
fcers. Her Majesty's government is
anxious TO cooperate to the fullest extent
of their power with the government of the
United States In such measures as may be
found to be expedient for the protection of
the seal fisheries. They are at the present
moment engaged in examining. IN concert
with the government of the United States.
the best method OF arriving at an agree
ment upon this point. But they cannot adj
init the right of the United States, of their
own sole motion. to restrict, for this pur-
pose, the freedom OF navigation Of Behring
~ Al Al l. g.
years successfully indicated. nor to en-
force their municipal legislation against
British vessels on the high seas beyond the
limits of their territory or jurisdiction:
Her Majesty's government is, therefore.
unable. to pass over without notice to the
public announcement of an intention on
the part of the government of the United
States to renew the acts of interference
with British vessels navigating outside the
territorial waters of the United States
where they have previously had to COM
plain. The undersigned Is in consequence
instructed to protest against such inter-
ference and TO declare that her britannia
Majesty's government must hold the gov
eminent of the United States responsible
for the consequences that may ensue from
acts which are contrary to the established
principles of international law"
MR.. BLAINE's PROPOSITIONS.
Secretary Blaine. in August. 1890, reply
ing to Lord Sailsbury's proposition TO ar6i-
trate cited the questions in dispute. In
view of the recent failure to reach o basis
for arbitration, the Secretsry's statement
is interesting as showing the present posi-
tion of the United States government on
the question. 1t is as follows:
'FIrst-What exclusive jurisdiction in
the sea known as the Behring sea and what
exclusive rights in the seal fisheries there
in did Russia assert and exercise prior and
mp to the time of the cession OF Alaska to
"Second-How far we're these claims OF
the iurisdi elton as to the seal fisheries REQ
ognized and conceded by Great Britaini
"Third-Was the body of water now
known as the Behring sea included In the
phrase Pacific ocean, as used in the treaty
of 1925 between Great Britain and Russia,
and what rights. if any, n Behring sea
were gwen or conceded to Great Britain by
the said treaty.
"Fourth-Did not all the rights of Russia
rs to jurisdiction and as to seal fisheries in
the Behring sea east of the water boundary.
in the treaty between the United states and
Russia of March So 1867, pass unimpalred
to the United States under that treaty.
"Eifth-What are now the rights of the
United States as to the seal fisheries in
the waters OF behring sea outside OF the
ordinary territorial limits; whether such
rights grow ont of the cessiOn by Russia
of any special rights or jurisdiction held
by her in such fisheries, or in the water of
BehrIng sea. or out of the ownership of tho
breeding islands and the habits of the
scala in resortinR thither and rearing the
young thereon and going out from the
islands for food, or out of any other fact or
incident connected with the relation of the
seal fisheries TO the territorial possessions
of the United Stetes7
'SiXth-If the determination of the fore
going questions shall leave the subject in
such position that the concurrence of Great
Britain is necessary in prescribing regula-
tons for tho killing of the fur seal in any
part of the waters of Behring sea, then it
shall be further determined: First. how
far. If at all. outside the ordinary terrific
rial limits 1t is necessary that the United
States should exercise On exclusive jurls-
diction In order to protect the seal for the
time living upon the Islands of the United
States and feeding therefrOm. Second,
whether a closer season, during which the
killing of seals in the waters of Behring
sea outside the ordinary territorial limits
shall be prohibited, is necessary to save
the seal-tishing industry. so valuable and
important To mankind. from deterioration
or destruction. and if SO, third, what
months or parts of months should be in
cluded In such season, and over what
waters it should extend"
l.