Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-06


with only the semblance OF return.
In our dealings with other nations we
ought to be open-handed and scrupu-
lousy fair. This should be our policy
rs a producing nation, and 1t plainly
becomes us as a people VINO love gem
erosity and the moral aspects OF ma
tionai good faith and reciprocal Tor
bearance.
These considerations should not, how
ever constrain us to submit to UNFAIR
Discrimination nor to silently acqulesce
in vexatious hindrances to the ENJOY
ment of our share OF the legitimate az.
vantages of proper trade relations. IL
an examination of the situation sus-
gests such measures on our part as
would involve restrictions similar TO
those from which we suffer. the way TO
such a course Is easy. 1t should, how
ever. by no means be lightly entered
upon, since the necessity for the IN
auguration of such policy would De
regretted by the best sentiment or our
people. and because 1t naturally and log
ically might lead to consequences OF the
gravest character.
Great Britain.
Our relations with Great Britain. always
intimate and important. have demanded
during the past year even greater snare
of consideration than Is usual.
Several vexatious questions were ieft
undetermined by the decision of the Ber-
ing sea arbitration tribunal. The appii-
cation of the principles laid down by that
august body has not been followed by the
results they were intended to accomplish,
either because the principles themselves
lacked in breadth and definiteness or De-
cause their execution has been more or
less imperfect. Much correspondence has
been exchanged between the two govern
ments on the subject of preventing the ex-
terminating slaughter OF. seals. The IN
sufficiency of the British patrol OF Bering
Sea, under the regulations agreed on py
the two governments has been pointed out,
and yet only two British ships have been
on police duty during this season In those
| waters.
The need of a more effective enforce
ment of existing regulations as well as the
| adoption of such additional regulations as
| experience has shown to be absoiuteiy
| necessary to carry out the intent OF the
award have been earnestly urged upon
| the British government but thus faf WIFI
| out effective results. In the meantime
| the depletion OF the seal herds by means
| of pelagic hunting has so alarmingiy pro-
| crossed that unless their slaughter Is al
| once effectively checked their eXtinctior
within a few years seems to be matter
| of absolute certainty.
The understanding by which the UNITED
| States was to pay. and Great Britain u
| receive q lump sum of $4,000 in full set
tiement of all British claims for damage
arising from our seizure OF BRUSH sealing
| vessels unauthorized under the AWARD o
the Paris tribunal of arbitration, was no
confirmed by the last Congress, whlch ue
clined to make the necessary appropria
ton. L am still OF the opinion that TINS ar
rangement was a judicious and advah
tageous one for the government, anu
earnestly recommend that 1t be agai
considered and sanctioned.
! Alaskan boundary.
The commissioners appointed to mar
the international boundary in Passama
ouoddy bay according to the description Q
the treaty of Client have not yet iuii
agreed The completion of the preiimhn
ary survey of that Alaskan houndar
which follows the contour OF the coas
from the southcrn:nost point OF Prince
Wales Island until 1t strikes the one nun
, dred and forty-iirst meridian at or nea
the summit of Mount st. Elias awaits fui
, Their necessary appropriation, winch
urgently recommended. This survey wa
undertaken under the provisions Oh III
convention entered into by this countr
and Great Britain July 90, 1892, and Tn
supplcmentary convention of Feb. 3, ls9
, | AS 10 the remaining section or the Aias
| kan boundary, which follows the one hu.
dred and forty-first meridian northwafoi
, from Mount st. elias to the Frozen oceai
q the settlement of which involves the pm!
| steal location of the meridian fneh.iohe'
. | no conventional agreement mas yet pee
made The ascertainment OF a give
: ! meridian at a particular point is wot
| reoiiring much time and carefui opserV'
a | lions and surveys. Such observations al
| SURVEYS We're undertaken by the Uhitt
9 | States coast and geodetic survey III 10
q and 1881, while similar work IN the san
IDrtt t.t,
. lieyed to give nearly coincident result
: but these surveys have been Independent
ly conducted and no international asfe
q ment to mark those or any other parts
;, ! the one hundred and forty-hrst meFluis
by permanent monuments mas yet pe'
: made In the meantime the valley OF q
a Yukon Is becoming highway through q
- hitherto UNEMPLOYED wilds of Alaska, al
% abundant mineral wealth has been disco
u cred i'm that region, especially at or ne
l. the junction of the boundary meridii
!. with the Yukon and its tributaries.
u these circumstances 1T is expedient, an
. indeed, imperative. that the Jurisdlctioh
l. limits of the respective governments
3 this region be speedily determined. II
a Rritannic majesty's government has pr
l. nosed n Joint delimitation of the one hu
dred and forty first meridian by an int
& national commission OF experts, Which,
n Congress will authorize 1t and make q
a, nroyisions therefor can be accomplish
s. win no unreasonable delay. 1t Is impo
1t sible 10 overlook the vital Importance
3 continuing.
u Defends Monroe Doctrine.
IS 1t being apparent that the boundary
"a mite between Great Britain and the
y public of Venezuela concerning the Inn
~ of British Guiana was approaching
r. acute stage "a definite statement OF the
A. terest ard policy of the United states
:, regards the controversy seemed to be
Va ouired both on its own account and
"a view of it's relations with the friendly pc
~ ers directly concerned. In July, la
: therefore, "A dispatch was addressed 10 O
amba ssador at London for communicate
: To the British government. in which
attitude of the United States was flu
"a and distinctly set forth The general &C
20 clsion therein reached and formuiat
~ are i'm substance that the traditional a
~, established policy of this government
"a firmly opposed 10 forcibie increase
any European power of it's territorial p'
sessions on this continent; that this poll
-, | is as well founded in principle as II
:, | strongly supported by numerous pre-
~ | dents: that as u consequence the Uni
=, States is bound to protest against the
~ lareement of the area of British Guiana
VI derogation of the rights and against
as will of Venezuela; that. considering
VI disparity in strength of Great Britain a
u, Venezuela, the territorial dispute betwe
'h them can be reasonably settled only
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