The record-union., 1895-12-04

mate advantages OF proper traQe re-
lations.
If an examination 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. 1t
should, however, by no means be light
ly entered upon, since the necessity
for the inauguration of such a policy
would be regretted by the best senti-
ment of our people, and because it nat
urally and logically might lead to con-
sequences of the gravest character.
OUR NEW NAVY.
I take pleasure in calling to your at
tention the encomiums bestowed upon
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 nation
ality should be celebrated in the prog
ress of American exposition of the
latest developments of the worlds ma
val energy.
RELATIONS WITH ENGLAND.
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 by the decision of the
Bering Sea Arbitration Tribunal. The
application of the principles laid down
by that august body has not been fol-
lowed by the results they were intend
ed to accomplish, either because the
principles themselves lacked in breadth
and definiteneSS or because their eXecu-
ton has been more or less imperfect.
Much correspondence has been eXchang-
ed between the two Governments on the
subject of preventing the eXterminating
slaughter of seals.
ira-1 Hfnif Of Qysif iCI tTn1 of
the Bering 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 these waters.
The need of a more effective enforce
ment of existing regulations as well as
the adoption of such additional regula
tions as experience has shown to be
absolutely necessary to carry out the
intent of the awards, have been earnest
ly urged upon the British Government,
but thus far without effective results.
In the meantime, the depletion of the
seal herds by means Of pelag1c hunting
has so alarmingly progressed that un-
less their slaughter is at once effective
ly 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 a lump sum of S425,-
600, in full settlement of all British
claims for damages arising from our
seizure of British sealing vessels un
authorized under the award of theParis
Tribunal of Arbitration, was not con-
firmed by the last Congress- which de-
clined to make the necessary appro-
priation. I am still of the opinion that
this arrangement was a judiciOus and
advantageous one for the Government
and L earnestly recommend that 1t be
again considered and sanctioned. If,
however, this does not meet with the
favor of Congress, it certainly will
hardly dissent from the PROPOSE
ton that the Government is
bound by every consideration 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 Immediately laid before the Senate,
So that in one of the modes suggested, a
final settlement may be reached.
Notwithstanding that Great Britain
originated the proposal 10 enforce
international rules for the prevention
of collision at sea, based on the recon-
mendatiOns of the mar ltime conference
of Washington, and cOncurred in, sug-
Sesting March /, 1895, as the date to
be set by the proclamation for carrying
these rules into general effect, Her
Majesty'S Government having encoun-
tered opposition on the part of British
shipping interests, announced its in
ability to accept and it was conse-
quently cancelled. The entire matter is
still in allegiance, without prospect OF
better condition in the near future.
The commissioners appointed TO mark
the international boundary in Passa-
maquoddy Bay, according to the de-
scription of the treaty of Client, have
not fully agreed. The completion of the
preliminary survey of that 4askan
boundary, which follows the contour of
the coast from the sOuthermost point
of Prince Of Wales Island until ii
strikes the one hundred and forty
first meridian at or near the summit OF
Mount st. Elias, awaits further neces-
saTy appropriation which is urgently
recommended.
This survey was undertaken under
the provisions of the convention entered
into by this country and Great Britain
July -. 1892, and the supplementary
convention of February ,, 1894. AS to
the remaining section Of the Alaskan
boundary, which follows the one hun
dred and forty-first meridian north
wardly 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 given merld-
ian at a particular point is a work re-
curing much time and careful OBJ
servatiOns and surveys. Such obser-
vations and surveys were undertaken
by the United States Coast and Geo
detic survey in 1890 and 1891, while
similar work in the same quarters un-
der British auspices are believed to
give nearly coincident results; but
these surveys have been independently
conducted. and no international agree
rnent 10 mark these or any other parts
OF the one hundred and forty-first me-
ridian by permanent monuments has
yet been made. In the meantime, the
Valley of the Yukon is becoming a
highway through the hitherto uneX-
plored wilds of Alaska, and abundant
mineral wealth has been discovered in
that region, especially at or near the
junction of the boundary meridian
with the Yukon and its tributaries.
In these circumstances it is eXpedi-
ent. indeed imperative, that the juris-
dictional limits of the respective gov
ernments in this new region be speed
lily determined. Her Britannia Maj
esty's Government has proposed joint
delimitation of the one hundred and
forty-first meridian by an interna-
ticnaI commission Of experts. which, if
Congress will authorize it and make
due provision therefor, can be accom-
pIished with no unreasonable delay.
It is impossible to overlook the vital
Importance Of continuing the work al
ready entered upon and supplementing
1t by further effective measure looking
TO the exact location of this entire
boundary line.
I call attention tothe unsatisfactory
illumination of the respective jurisdic-
tions of the United States and the Do
ninion of Canada in the Great Lakes,