Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-10

Americans who, through the newspapers,
follow the proceedings Of the board Of arbitra-
tors on the Boring sea question can hardly be
otherwise than pleased with the breadth and
solidity of the argument which has been and is
being made in behalf of the United States.
Abandoning the minor contentious which
figured SO conspicuously in the earlier days Of
the controversy which is soon to be at an
end, the representatives Of honest humanity
have secured most respectful hearing from the
august tribunal With that fairness and hber-
ality which has always enabled it to rise above
mere partisanship, the New York Sun discusses
the clever argument advanced by Counsel Car
ter and makes obeisance before the tomb Of
James G. Blaine by saying that lit detracts
not in the slightest degree from the credit due
to this distinguished advocate for originality Of
conception, logical audacity and skill Of
ANALYSIS and presentation, to say that Mr.. Car
ter has followed the line of argument which Mr..
Blaine recognized early in the controversy as
the only plea in which there was a glimmer of
hope for the American side" The idea that it
would be possible to convince an international
court that Boring sea was closed to all nations
save ours never gained entrance into the great
premier's mind. ''In the opinion of the Pres
ident," wrote Mr.. Blaine to the British minis
ter more than three years ago. ''the Canadian
vessels arrested and detained in the Bering sea
were engaged in a pursuit that in itself
contra bonos mores, a pursuit which of neces-
sity involves a serious and permanent injury to
the rights Of the government and people of the
United States. To establish this ground it is
not necessary to argue the question Of the ex-
tent and nature Of the sovereignty of this gov
eminent over the waters Of the Boring sea.
The weighty considerations growing out of the
acquisition of Alaska, with all the rights on land
and sea inseparably connected herewith, may
be safely left out of view, while the grounds
are set forth on which this government rests its
justification" OF the Canadian poachers Mr.
Blaine wrote on May 20, 1890: They
are not only interfering with American
rights, but are doing violence as well
to the rights Of the civilized world Again.
after comparing the Canadian destruction of
the seals to the use Of dynamite among the
fish colonies Of the Newfoundland banks, Mr..
Blaine demanded: 'Does her majesty's govern
ment seriously maintain that the law Of nations
n powerless to prevent such violation Of the
common rights of man? Are the supporters of
Justice in all nations to be declared incompe-
tent to prevent wrongs odious and SO de-
structive? Tho forcible resistance to which
this government is constrained in the Boring
sea is, in the Presidents Judgment. demanded
not only by the necessity of defending the
traditional and congratulated rights Of the
United States. but also the rights of good gov
eminent and Of good morals the world over"
Should victory rest with this country in the
wordy conflict now going on in Paris due
credit should be given the memory of him
whose image is enshrined in countless loving
hearts-the statesman who was too great to be
President Of this republic-James Gillespie
Blaine,