The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-05-17

The collector at Victoria. b. c.. has been
notified that Great Britain and Russia
have agreed to prohibit sealing within ten
miles of the Russian coast and within
thirty leagues of Robin Island. The seal
ing vessels clearing from Victoria were
some time ago warned that such negotia-
tons were going on and that it was in
cumbent upon them to inform themselves
As to the result before proceeding to the
neighborhood Of the Russian coast OF Ber-
ing sea- Russia has thus planted herself
upon the American position that some
sort Of protection il needed beyond the
marine league which marks ordinary ter
ritorial waters. The position taken by
Russia was originally endorsed by Secre-
tary Blaine. who laid small stress COM
paratively upon the right of complete own
ership Of Boring sea beyond distance of
shree nautical miles from the shore; on
the contrary, he never seriously rested the
strength OF his case on the theory of ex-
elusive jurisdiction aud the untenable the
osy that Bering sea was . closed sea, but
in his correspondence with tho British
foreign office asked protection for the
seals on the broad ground Of international
right. justice and equity.
1t was only after Mr.. Blaine had rein-
pushed the management of our case that
sne treaty Of arbitration was SO shaped -
Is make the question turn principally upon
the validity Of the claim to exclusive
Jurisdiction. which this nation was said to
- -.
saw that our claim to exclusive jurisdic-
ton over Boring sea would be rejected by
AN international tribunal. and more than
three years ago he wrote the British min
lister that "thc Canadian vessels arrested
and detained in the Bering sea were en-
gagged in pursuit that was in itself contra
bones Dsores. q pursuit which of necessity
involves u serious and permanent: injury
to the rights of the government aud PEG.
pie Of the United States. To establish
this ground it is not necessary to argue the
question of the extent and nature Of the
sovereignty of this government over the
waters of the Be,ing sea. The weighty
considerations growing out of the acluisi-
ton Of Alaska, with oil the rights on land
and sea inseparably connected Herewith
shay be safely left out of view. while the
grounds are set forth on which this gov
srnment rests is Justification" OF the
| Canadian poachers, Mr.. Blaine wrote on
May -, issn:
"Th-y are not emily interfering " IN American
fights. bat doing violence well 10 The
| tights of the civilized world ATair. after
comparing the Canadian destruction o. the
seals 10 the use OF dynamite among the fish
| colonies OF the Newfoundland banks, Mr. Blaine
demanded: "poes her ms;essys government
seriously maintain that the law of nations is
s,owerless 10 prevent such violation Of The com
| saon rights OF man Are the supporters OF JUS
slce in all nations 20 be declared incompetent to
prevent wrongs odious auf 80 destructive.
| Tie fogciele resistance to which thss govern
fnsui 10 constrained IN the herring sea - in the
| presidents Judgment. demanded not only by
| the necessity Of defending the traditional and
eoas established rights Of the Cuitca states but
| also she rights Of good government aud OF good
inorals the world over.
The New York Sun. \ Democratic news
/ paper. recites these extracts from BiaIne's
! official correspondence in support OF it's
| statement that Mr.. Carter III his grea.
/ e1eech for the American case before the
/ .ierlng sea tribunal of arbitration, followed
/ mo .inS q argument s&41 G1NE Ek Mr..
+ Blaine early IN the controversy. Mr..
| carter accepted this doctrine of Mr., Blaine
! and argued that International law Is form
/ aia.ed only as las; rs prcre,ien,s are es,ab-
| ,.shcd and last occasion arises. The >sss.
SAYS. MIR, carriers mastery speech before
! iAe Paris ,Fihanal is q tribute I'd the grasp
! and foresight Of Ba,ne's genius"
/ The New York Tribe 81. rep.ying ID the
| chayee tha; Nh Ma!ne ho,chel our case
/ ~ his laundering" points out that the
/ greatest lawyers n America, rleadlnr be-
/ sore n high court Ct arbitration. reu-o-
| 4aeesl Mr.. Blasne's arguments aud a!lera.
! .soas fTom his correspondence because
! they could find no argument 20 aaa 10
! shose Mr.. blame pat foFssr4 and no cen.
/ clifton og fat Nhiea he omitted II urge.
/ /, IS true eaough oar case sas eoichea 50
/ ssr a. the . aesiioas for decision arc ga,.ats
! fosmuiAIet: IN tie treaty. eas this IS nos
| sac .&a,t %! Mr.. Aaias. For about wear
/ before the rsg,6caG.ca 81 the treaty the
/ nlanssensent III tie business wss 10,
/ controlled ey M. AiiaGae
! As oar case stands Ne fay lie heAte1 on
| the clssta ~ exclusive i-7s s3acsioa ~ Eering
/ sea ags oar hape IS saa; she srasters wal
/ ss~eas 20 the argument q Mr.. Bislae. 80
/ shly reiterated by NJ. CaT;s-. that the CIR
! e4nsssaaces ah<i habits -. iae seals iysts.y