Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-04

position of the latest developments of the worlds naval energy.
 Behring Sea Matter.
 Our relations with Great Britain, al- ways intimate and important, have de- manded during the past year even greater share of consideration than is usual Several vexatious questions were left undetermined, notably the decision of the Behring sea arbitration tribunal. The application of the principles laid down by that august body has not been followed by the results they were in- tended to accomplish because their exc cution has been more or less imperfect. Much correspondence has been ex- changed between the two governments on the subject of>preventing the exter- minating slaughter of seals.
 The insufficiency of the British patrol of Behring sea under the regulations agreed on by the two governments has been pointed out, and yet only two Brit ish ships have been on police duty dur ing this season in those waters. The need of more effective enforcement f existing regulations. as well as the adop- tion of such additional regulations as ex- perience has shown to be absolutely nec- essary 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 a few years seems to be a matter of absolute certainty.
 The understanding by which the United States was to pay, and Great Britain 10 receive. lump sum of $425,- GOO in settlement of all British claims arising from of British vessels unauthorized under the award of the Paris tribunal of arbi- tration, was not confirmed by the last congress. which declined to make the necessary appropriation. I am still of the opinion that this arrangement was a judicious and advantageous one for this government, and I earnestly rec ommend that 1t be again considered and sanctioned If, however, this does not meet with the favor af congress 1t cer- tainly willhardly dissent from the propo- Sition that the governments is bound by ev- cry consideration of honor and good faith to provide for the speedy adjustment of these claims by arbitration as the only other tive. A treaty of arbitra- ton has therefore been agreed upon, and will be immediately laid before the sen ate, so that in one of the modes suggest ed final settlement may be reached.
 Rules ofthe Road.
 Notwithstanding that Great Britain originated the proposal to enforce inter national rules for the prevention of col lisions at sea. based on the recommends tions of the marine conference in Wash ington and concurred in, suggesting March l. 1895, as the date to be set by proclamation for carrying these rules into general effect her majesty's govern ment, having encountered opposition on the part of the British shipping interests. announced It's inability to accept that date, which was consequently cancelled. The entire matter is still in abeyance, without prospect of a better condition in the near future.
 Alaskan Boundary.
 The commissioners appointed to mark the international boundary in Passama- quoddy bay. acceding to the decision of the treaty of Ghent, have not yet fully agreed.
 The completion of the preliminary sur vey of that Alaskan boundary, which follows the center of the coast from the southernmost 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 ther necessary appropriation, which is urgently recommended. This survey was undertaken under the provisions of the convention entered into by this country and Great Britain July 22. 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 in- wolves the physical location of the me- ridian mentioned. no conventional agree ment has yet been made. The ascertain ment of a given meridian at a particular point is work requiring much time and careful observations and surveys Such observations and surveys were under taken by the United States coast and geodetic survey in 1890 and 1891, while similar work in the same quarters under British auspices is believed to give near ly the coineident result, but these sur veys have been independently conducted. and no international agreement to mark those or any other parts of the one hum dred and forty-first meridian by perma- nent monuments has yet been made
 In the meantime the valley of the Yu- kon is becoming a highway through the hitherto unexplored wilds of Alaska, and abundant mineral has been discovered in that region, especially at or near the junction of the boundary meridian with the Yukon and it's tributaries. In these circumstances it is expedient, and, in- deed, imperative, that the jurisdictional limits of the respective governments in this new region be speedily determined. Her Britannic majesty's government has proposed joint dellm1tatlon or the one hundred and forty-first meridian by an international commission of experts, which, if congress will authorize it and make due provision therefor, can be ac- complished with no unreasonable delay. It is impossible to overlook the vital im- portance of continuing the work already entered upon and supplementing it by further effective measures looking to the exact location of this entire boundary line.
 call your attention to the unsatisfac- tory delimitation of the respective juris- diction of the United States and the Do- minion of Canada in the great lakes at the approaches to the narrow waters that connect them. The waters in ques- tion are frequented by fishermen of both nationalities and their nets are there used, owing to the uncertainty and ig- norance of the true boundary. Vexa- tious disputes and injurious seizures of boats and nets by Canadian cruisers often occur. While any positive settle ment thereof by an accepted standard Is not easily to be reached, joint commits sion to determine the line in these quar- ters, on a practical basis by measured courses filling range marks on shore Is necessity for which immediate provision should be made.
 Hawaii.