The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-03-11

Whether the modus ripcndi OF 1891 IL or IL
not renewed. q force OF revenue cutters and
war ships ut least equal to last years will
have to be sent to Behring Sea.
The diplomatic correspondence shows
that fortnight ago our Consul Mt Victoria,
Mr.. MYERS. informed Secretary BLAINE
that already forty-six sealing schooners had
cleared from that port. and that six or
seven moro were to go: and. further, that
OF the same date last year only thirty-one
had cleared.
Had tho modus ripendi been renewed weeks
ago. when 1t was apparent that the decision
of the arbitrators on tho main dispute could
not be reached In time to take effect during
tho sealing season OF 1892. notice OF 1t could
have been served upon the Victoria fleet be-
fore leaving port. Butnow the work Of noti-
ilcation must. In any event. be as laborious
as last year. and should call into service as
many vessels. II. In addition, England
persists in her refusal to renew the agree
ment. our naval force must be sufficient to
execute our laws and to seize vessels vio-
lating them.
For this purpose we have again available
three revenue cutters. tho Rush! the Bear.
and the Corwin. all sufficiently armed for
the capture OF marauders. Next. Of naval
vessels we have available the Mohican. now
at San Francisco. fitting out for q cruise.
nnd probably intended. had no other SER
vice been required to relieve the Iroquois
at Apia; tho Thotis. now on surveying duty
of the coast OF Lower California: tho
Adams and the Ranger. which could be put
into commission again for tho purpose. The
Mohcan and Thetis wore on Behring Sea
duty last year.
Then the Marion and tho Abort. which
were also engaged In that duty. and which
after the season was ended were sent to the
Aslatic station. could be called upon. Tho
Al-ki. used as store ship and prison
chip last summer. will presumably resume
her functions. or another chartered vessel
will be substituted. Without reckoning the
cutter Wolcott at Port Townsend and the
little Pinta ut Sitka, these would give
larger force than last years In Behring
Sea; and some increase might be advisable,
with q larger fleet OF trespassers to take
care Of. apart from tho prospect Of having
no assistance. to say the least. from British
war vessels this year.
It should be pointed out that the Gillian
and Chinese troubles have left US with q
good share OF our navy in the Pacific. On
tho Asiatic station. besides the Marion and
Alert already spoken Of. there are the Lam
caster, the Alliance, the Monocacy, the
Palos. and the Petrol. On ono side Of the
ocean are the Baltimore and the Charleston
at Mare Island; the Boston on her voyage
thither from Callao; the Yorktown at the lat
ter port: the San Francisco at Honolulu. to
relieve the Pensacola. which Is to return to
Mare Island: the Iroquois probably on her
way home from Samoa. On the South At
lantic station still remain the Chicago.
Atlanta, Bennington. Essex. and Yantic.
For the immediate purpose. which Is
that OF preparing to police Behring Sea.
this latter array Of force Is not required:
yet it is we'll. that 80 large proportion Of
our available ships can be called upon for
duty in the Pacific. The seizure Of sealers
violating our laws will demand a consider
able force Of vessels and OF prize crews.