New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-04
Artu-2lork

mate and important. have demanded dur1hs wv
last year even a greater share Of considcra''o"
than is usual
Several yexatous questions were left unde'e'
mined by the decision Of the Behring Sea Aroi'i'
ton Tribunal. The application of the pri"ci
laid down by that august body has not oeeh io'
lowed by the results they were intendeo W az
complish either because the principles mn ~
selves lacked in breadth and dehnitehess W -,
cause their execution has been more OF le1' i..
perfect Much correspondence has oeeh ~
changed between the two Governments I. ~
subject OF preventing the extermihathe D.,,1sh
ter Of seals The insufiiciency OF the bl ,'n
patrol of Behring Sea- under the reguis tiohs
agreed by the two Governments nas 80
pointed out and yet only two British shiPs nc
been on police duty during this season III '"''
waters.
The need Of more effective enforcement OF eS
listing regulations. as well as the auopt'O"
such additional regulations as experience ne NC
shown to be absolutely necessary to carry GU. "a
intent of the award, have been earnestly vi
upon the British Government Dut mus Ia, a.
ont effective results. In the mean time me "
pleton of the seal herds by means OF Peias.
hunting has SO alarmingly progressed that uii !,
less their slaughter is at once enectively oheIn'
their extinction within few years seefns u Nc
matter of absolute certainty
THAT PROMISE OF $4,000
The understanding by which the United states
was 10 pay, and Great Britain to receive lump
sum Of s425 900 In full settlement Of all Bri'isl
claims for damages arising from our SEIZURE "a
British sealing vessels unauthorized under the
award of the Paris Tribunal OF Arbitration was
not confirmed by the last Congress, whicn ue
clined TO make the necessary appropriation l
am still Of the opinion that this arrangement was
a judicious and advantageous one FOR the o'1 ~,
eminent, and ! earnestly recommend tnat !. -
again considered md sanctioned. H. hoNe''.,
this does not meet with the favor OF Congress, II
certainly will hardly dissent from the proposal"
that the GOvernmen; is bound by every tJHst.u
Grafton OF honor and good faith 10 proNlre III
the speedy adjustment OF these claims ~ arol'ra
ti0n as the only other alternative. treaty %
arbitration has therefore been agreed upon anu
will be Immediately laid before the senate -
that in one of the modes suggested final settle
ment may De reached.
Notwithstanding that Great Britain originated
The nr1oosal 70 enforce International rules Tor
the prevention of collisions at sea, based on the
recommendations of the Maritime Conference OF
Washington and concurred in. suggesting MAI. 70.
l. 1895. the date 10 Be set by pTocIald Ii'h ~
carving these rules into general effect her
Maiestv's Government. having encountered or
position on the part of British shipping interests
announced it's inability to accept that date "hicH
was consequently cancelled. The entire mater
is still in abeyance. without prospect or better
condition in the near future
The commissioners appointed to mark me IN
ternational boundary in Passamaquoddy Bay ac-
cording TO the description Of the treaty or chehl
have not yet fully agreed
THE ALASKAN BOUNDARY.
The completion OF the preliminary survey Of
that Alaskan boundary which follows the con-
tour OF the coast from the southernmost point Of
Prince OF Wales Island until 1t strikes the Hist
meridian at or near the summit of Mount st.
Elias awaits further necessary appropriation.
which is urgently recommended. This survey
was undertaken under the provisions Of the con-
vention entered into by this country and Great
britain July % 1892 and the supplementary con-
VentiOn Of February B. 1894.
AS 10 the remaining section Of the Alaskan
boundary which follows the l4lst meridian north
wa rdly from Mount 81. Elias to the Frozen Ocean
the settlement of which involves the physical To-
cation Of the meridian mentioned, no conven-
tional agreement has yet been made. The ascer-
tainment Of a given meridian at particular
point is work requiring much time ana
careful observations and surveys Such Cd
servations and surveys were Undertaken by
the United States Coast and Geodetic sur
vey in 1890 and 1891. while similar work
In the same quarters under British au-
spices believed to give nearly coincidentai
results: but these surveys have been independ-
entity conducted and no international agreement
t. mark those or any other paris or the l4lst
meridian by permanent monuments mas yet been
made In the mean time the valley ol the ukon
is becoming a highway through the hitherto un-
explored wilds of Alaska and abundant mineral
wealth has been discovered In that region espe-
ciallv at or near the junction II the boundary
meridian with the Yukon and its tributaries.
In these circumstances ii is eXpedient. ana, IN
decd IMPERATIVE that the jursd.ctional limits
of the respective Governments in this new re-
giou be speedily determined. Her Britannia
Naiesty's Government has proposed a joint de-
Limitation Of the 141st meridian by an interna-
uonal commission Of experts which. If Congress
will authorize IL and make due provision there
for can be accomplished with no unreasonable
delay II is impossible To overlook the vital i'm
portance Of continuing the work already entered
upon and supplementing IL by further effective
measures looking to the exact location Of this
entire boundary line.
| call attention to the unsatisfactory delimita
.ion ~ the respective Jurisdictions Of the United
states and the Dominion Of Canada in the Great
Lakes al the approaches to the narrow waters
that connect them. The waters in question are
freuuented by fishermen OF both natonalites
and their nets there used. owing 10 the I'M
certainty and ignorance as TO the true boundary
vexatious disputes and injurious seizures or
boats and nets by Canadian cruisers often oc-
CIR while any positive settlement thereof by an
accepted standard Is not easily 10 be reached. A
Joint commission to determine the line in those
quarters, on practical basis, by measured
courses following range marks on shore. IL a
necessity for which immediate provision should
be made.
THE VENEZUELAN DISPUTE.
Il being apparent that the boundary disput" be
tween Great Britain and the Republic OF Venez-
uela concerning the limits Of British Guiana was
apprca ching an acute stage definite statement
Of the interest and policy OF the United States
as regards the controversy seemed to be required
both N it's own account and in view of its rela-
tons with the friendly Powers directly con-
cerned. In July last. therefore. a dispatch was
addressed TO our Ambassador at London for
communicate to the British Government, In
which the attitude Of the United States was
fully and distinctly Set forth. The general con-
illusions therein reached and formulated are In
substance that the traditional and established
policy of this Government Is firmly opposed TO
forcible increase by any European Power OF its
territorial possessions on tins continent; that
this policy IL we'll founded In principle as II IL
strongly supported by numerous precedents: that
as a consequence the United States is bound to
protest against the enlargement OF the area OF
British Guiana In derogation OF the rights and
against the will Of Venezuela that, considering
the disparity in strength OF Great Britain and
Venezuela. the territorial dispute between them
can be reasonably settled only by friendly and
impartial arbitration. and that the resort TO such
arbitration should include the whole controversy,
and is not satisfied II of the Powers con-
cerned s permitted to draw arbitrary line
through the territory in debate and 10 declare
that 1t Will submit to arbitration only the por-
ton lying on one side OF IL. In view OF these