Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-12-10

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SENATOR MORGAN
On the third point the United States presen,
extracts from Russian authorities ILLUSTRATING
their understanding of the separateness of Per
ing sea, and exhibit collection of lib authentic
maps representing the aggregate opinion of the
geographers of the civilized world. published
between the years 1892 and 1925 in Great Bri.
tain, the United States and various continental
European countries, on every one Of which
Boring sea is plainly distinguished by
a sho name e, ,,s separate and apart from
fourth point, the United States claim that al
the rights. powers, interests. jurisdiction, do
minion, immunities and privileges possessed by
Russia were transferred unimpaired to the
United States by the purchase OF 1867, and this
point has been virtually conceded in advance
by Lord Salisbury irf correspondence.
As to the fifth and last point the United
States base their asserted prerogative OF pro-
tecting the seals of Boring sea on the broad
grounds of equity and morality the world over,
on the ground of the traditional rights o!
Russia and the United States, and finally on
the ground that Russia, prior to the cession OF
Alaska. successfully maintained its Jurisdiction
in Boring sea 100 miles from shore-a jurisdic-
ton acceded to in practice by Great Britain as
we'll as the United States, and claimed bv the
United States and enforced BY executive and
congressional action since the cesson.
latter contention, are set forth instances of the
control by Great Britain of 200 square miles
OF the open ocean northeast OF Scotland in the
interest of her trawl fisheries, of 900 square
miles in the Indian ocean in the interest of her
Ceylon pearl fisheries and of 1000 square
miles in the South Atlantic surrounding the
Island Of St. Helena during the exile Of Napo-
leon.
1t is also made clear in this governments
case that at the present time the Russian gov
eminent reserves and exercises for its subjects
absolute control over the seals ia the western
half OF Behring sea and in the Sea of Okhotsk
within 100 miles from shore. During the past
summer at least half dozen Canadian seaiers.
caught In the act of poaching on the Russian
side OF Berlng sea, were summarily seized
and burned to the waters edge by Russian
men-of-war and Great Britain is not insisting
on redress, thus tacitly admitting the integrity
OF the Russian jurisdiction.
The reported seizure of the American bark
Cape Horn in July last by the Russian authori-
ties in Okhotsk sea, inside the 1901 mile limit il
likewise a vindication of the American claim
touching the eastern half of Boring sea. Russia
does not contend that the Okhotsk is a closed
sea, nor does this government claim that Bering
is closed sea. Whaling and legitimate fishing
are permitted TO all nations freely in both
waters, but both governments insist upon juris-
dietion for the protection Of seals within the
100-mile limit.
THE BRITISH CONTENTION.
The British printed case and counter case en-
body the recent contention that her majesty
government never admitted the exclusive do
minion claimed by Russia and the United States
in Boring sea. and that it regarded the Rus
sian ukase of 1891 as a mere usurpation, which
could not be converted into valid international
right, renowned by Great Britain through SIM
pie retlcence or omission to protest.
As to the distinctive meaning of the words
"Pacifc ocean" in the Anglo-Russian treaty of
1925, as against the American exhibit OF maps,
the British case cites thirty odd books of refer
ence Of various dates from 1895 downward, and
printed in numerous languages, which tend to
show that the words Pacific ocean do in
clude Boring sea.
1t is to be deplored that while there is no
lack of harmony and unanimity in the British
press, liberal and tory alike. in support of the
British contentious as to Boring sea, the
same cannot be said of the American press. Az
administer Phelps recently pointed out, every
unfavorable criticism of the American conten-
tions contained in a newspaper printed in the
United States is promptly put on file in the
British foreign office and has its effect on the
other side of tine Atlantic.
1t should be understood by the American
people that there has been no change of front
whatever in the policy pursued in this con-
troversy under President Cleveland and under
President Harrison. The latter took up the
subject just where the former left it. and
it is assumed a. the State Department that
the former will in turn take it up again
just where the latter shall have left it on the 4th
of March. Our diplomatic experts and agents
are all confident of the success of the American
cause should the merits OF the controversy be
the determining considerations in the decision
Of the Paris tribunal.