People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1895-12-05

atious hindrances Ito the enjoyment Of
our share Of the legitimate advantages
, Of proper trade relations. II an exam
inatiOn Of the situation suggests such
measures on our part as would involve
! restrictions similar to those from which
We suffer, the way to such a course is
easy. Il should, however, by no means
be lightly entered upon since the neces-
sity for the Inauguration of such a
policy would be regretted by the best
sentiment Of our people, and because
Il naturally and logically might lead 10
consequences Of the gravest character.
take pleasure in calling to your at
tentiOn the encomiums bestowed on
the vessels Of our new navy which
took part in the notable ceremony of
| the opening Of the Kiel canal 1t was
fitting that this extraordinary achieve
ment Of the newer German nationality
should be celebrated in the presence
Of Americas exposition Of the latest de-
vel0pment Of the worlds naval energy.
THE SEAL DIFFICULTY
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 vexadous questions
We're left undetermined by the decision
Of the Behring sea arbitration tribunal.
The application Of the principles laid
down by the august body has not been
followed by the results they We're in
tended to accomplish, either because
the principles themselves lacked in
breadth and defniteness, or because
their execution has been more or less
imperfect. Much correspondence has
been exchanged between the two gov
ernments on the subject Of preventing
the eXterminaung slaughter Of seals.
ENGLAND WON'T LISTEN.
The insuficiency of the British patrol
of Behring sea under the regulations
agreed on by two governments has been
pointed out and only two British ships
have been on police duty during this
season in the Sc waters. The need of a
more effective enforcement of existing
regulations experience has shown to be
absolutely necessary to carry out the
intent Of the award and have been ear
nestly urged upon the British govern
ment but thus far without effective re-
suits. In the meantime the depletion
Of the seal herds by means Of Pelagic
hunting has so alarmingly pressed that
unless their slaughter is at once effec-
lively checked their extinction within
a few years seems to be a matter abso-
lutely certain.
The understanding by which the
United States was to pay and Great Bri
tain was to receive a lump sum Of S425,-
OCO in full settlement of all British
claims for damages arising from our
seizure Of British sealing vessels I'M
authorized under the award Of the Paris
tribunal Of arbitration was not confirm
ed by the last congress, which declined
70 make the necessary appropriation.
l am still Of the opinion that this ar
rangement was a judiciOus and advan-
taseous one FOR the government, and I
earnestly recommend that it be again
considered and sanctioned. If. how
ever, this does not meet with the favor
Of congress, it will certainly hardly
dissent from the proposition that the
government is bound by every consid-
Grafton, honor and good faith to pro-
vide 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 Immediately laid before the senate
SO that in one Of the modes suggested a
final settlement may be reached notwith
standing that Great Britain originated
the proposal TO enforce international
rules for the prevention of collisions
at sea based on the recommendations
OF the maritime conference of Washing
ton and concurred in, suggesting the
first day Of March, 1895 as the date to be
set by proclamation for carrying the
rule into general effect.
Her majesty's government. having
encountered opposition on the part of
British shipping interests announced
its inability to accept that date, which
was consequently cancelled. The en-
tire matter is still in allegiance. without
prospect Of better condition in the
near future.