The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-12-04

WIN oGner nations we ought to Do Open
nanueu and scrupulously fair. MS
snoulu De our policy as a producing ma
blon, ana 1t plainly becomes us as peo-
pie VINO love generosity and the moral
aspeots OF national good faith and reclp-
rocai 1orpearance. These considerations
snoulu not, however, constrain us to submit
TO UNFAIR discrimination, nor to silently
hccqulesce In hindrances to the enjoyment
VI VI our snare or the legitimate advantages
tloh OF Che situation suggests such
measures ON our part as would involve re-
strlctlons similar to those from which we
SuA9f, t4e way to such a course is easy.
III shoulo, however, by DO means be lightly
entered upon, Esnce the necessity for the
Inauguration OF such a policy would be
regretted by the best sentiment of our
people, and because it naturally and
logically might lead to consequences of
the gravest character
L take pleasure III calling to your atten-
ton the encomiums bestowed on those
vessels OF our new navy which took part
IN the notable ceremony of the opening
OF the Alei canal. 1t was fitting that
this eX6raord mary achievement of the
newer German nationality should be ceIe-
DRAFTED in the presence of Americas ex-
position of the latest developments of ths
worlds naval energy.
THE BEHRING SEA DISPUTE.
Our relations with Great Britain. al
ways intimate and important, have de-
manded during the past year even a
greater share of consideration than is
usual, Several vexatious questions were
left undetermined by the decision of the
Behring Sea arbitration tribunal The
application of the principles laid down by
ba a H.. 10
by the results they were intended to ac-
oomplish. either because the principles
themselves lacked in breadth and definite
ness or because their execution has been
more or less imperfect Much correspon-
denoe has been exchanged between the
two governments on the subject of pre-
venting the discriminating slaughter of
the seals.
The inefficiency of the British patrol
OF Behring Sea under the regulations
agreed on by these two governments, has
been pointed out, and yet only two Brit
ish ships have been on police duty during
this season in those waters. The need of
a more effective enforcement of existing
regulations, as well as the adoption Of
such additional regulations, as ex
perience has shown to be alb
solutely necessary to carry out the intent
OF the award, have been earnestly urged
upon the British government. but thus
far without effective results. In the
meantime, the depletion of the seal herds
by means of pelagic hunting has so
alarmingly progressed that unless their
slaughter is at once effectively checked,
their extinction within few years seems
to be matter of absolute certainty.
The understanding by which the United
States was to pay, and Great Britain
to receive lump sum of $425,000 in full
settlement of all British claims for dam
ages arising from our seizure of British
sealing vessels authorized under the
award of the Paris tribunal of arbitra-
ton, was not confirmed by the last Con-
gross, which declined to make the neces-
Sary appropriation. ! am still of the
opinion that this arrangement was a
judicious and advantageous one fol the
government, and.I earnestly recommend
that it be again considered and sane
toned. If, however, this does not meet
with the favor of Congress-, it certainly
will hardly dissent from the proposition
that the government is bound by every
of honor and good faith
to provide for the speedy adjustment of
these claims by arbitration as the only
other alternative. A treaty of arbitration
has therefore been agreed upon and will
be immediat ely laid before the Senate so
that in one of the modes suggested final.
settlement may be reached.
Notwithstanding that Great Britain |
the proposal to enforce inter- |
national rules for the prevention of col
lisions at sea, based on the recommended
tions of the maritime conference of Wash |
ington and coneurred in, suggesting |
March 1, 1895, as the date to be set by |
for carrying these rules in |
to general effect, Her Majesty's govern
ment having encountered opposition on |
the part of British shipping, announced |
it's inability to accept that date, which |
was consequently cancelled. The entire
matter is still in abeyaance, without pros
pect of better condition in the near fu- |
ture.
The commissioners appointed to |
mark the international boundary in Pas
Bay according to the de- |
scription Of the treaty of Client have not |
yet fully agreed.
THE ALASKAN BOUNDARY.
The completion of the preliminary sur
vey of that Alaskan boundary which fol-
lows the contour of the coast from the
point of Prince of Wales
Island until it strikes the one hundred
and forty first meridian at, or near, the
summit of Mount ST. Elias, awaits fur
Their necessary appropriation which is ur-
gently recommended. This survey WAS
uuuefUakeu uuuef UHe pfOVlSlCnS OIL Gne
entered into by this, country
and Great Britain, July 90, 1892, and the
supplementary convention of February
3. 1894. AS to the remaining section of
the Alaskan boundary, which follows
the one hundred and forty first meridian
northwardly from Mount st. Elias to
the Frozen ocean, the settlement of which
involves the physical location of the
meridian mentioned, no conventional
agreement has yet been made.
- The ascertainment of a given meridian
at particular point is work requiring
much time and careful observations and
surveys. Such observations and surveys
were undertaken by the United States
coast and geodetic Survey in 1890 and
1891, while similar work in the same
quarters under British auspices are be-
lieved to give nearly coincldent results,
but these surveys have been independent
ly conducted and no international agree
ment to mark those, or any other parts,
of the one hundred and forty first nerid.
ian by permanent monuments has yet
been made In the meantime, the valley
of the Yukon is becoming a highway
through the hitherto unsxplored wilds of
Alaska, and abundant mineral wealth
has been discovered in that region, es-
pecially at or near the junction of the
meridian with the Yukon and
;to tribI,rarioc Tn ITHACA cirou N, re, =, ooo