Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1897-07-10
THE BsHRINe SEA QUESTION.

The State Department Preparing to Trans.
init Correspondence TO Congress IN Re.
sponse to Call from that Body-No
Change in the United States Governments .
+ Policy Indicated.
81 WASHINGTON, July 6.-The fact that
tho state department is preparing for
transmission to congress the corre-
|sspondence that it has had since the
beginning of the session respecting the
Behring Sea seal fisheries appears to
nave been construed in some quar-
ters and by the London Chronicle
rs an indication of purpose on
the part OF our government to make a
radical change in its policy in the
Treatment of that long-standing diplo-
matte issue, and to seize on this oppor-
tunity to announce its adoption of a
'bold American policy
The truth is, that this particular
correspondence was called for by con-
gress weeks ago and has been delayed
IN transmission principally because
Mr.. Foster, who conducted personally
the greater part of it in conjunction
with Mr.. Hamlin, was absentin Europe.
Now, however, it is in shape and prob
ably will 60 to congress this week.
1t can be stated that it will not show
any change in the policy of this gov
ernment. which has, ever since the
first years experience under the Paris
award regulations showed the inef-
ficacy of those regulations to protect
the seals, lost no opportunity to urge
an extension of the rules upon Great
Britain. This has been done courte-
ously at all times, and Great Britain
has responded in like spirit, though, to
the regret of our government, without
consenting to the notifications de
sired. There have been some remon-
strances exchanged. For instance,
the British have protested against
what they termed the abuse
Of the right of search on the
part of our patrol vessels, and on our
part the British have been told that
their refusal to permit the sealing up
of firearms carried by sealers amounted
to an evasion of the spirit of the Paris
award. But in all this there has been
no exhibition of ill-feeling or any
thing like 'jingoism' on our
part, and while the recent sue
cess of Mr.. Foster in securing
the adhesion of Russia to the
extension of the regulations over the
entire north Pacific ocean beyond the
fortieth degree has strengthened our
position in the British negotiations, il
cannot be said that there has been any
change in the line of policy that was
laid down by Secretary Olney in the
last administration.
Reports Of British Irritation Discredited
LONDON, July 1.-THE statement of
the Washington correspondent OF the
Daily Chronicle to the effect that the
correspondence is about to be submit
ted to congress regarding Behring sea
matters, which will cause resentment
in Great Britain, charging bad faith in
the carrying out of the terms of the
award ETC., are discredited here in dip.
lomatic circles.
Previous to the jubilee celebration
United States Ambassador Hay gave
the marquis of Salisbury strong pre-
sentation of the case from the stand
point of the United States, but, it is
added, throughout the entire CORE
spondence there was nothing to offend
Great Britain, and there have been nc
communications on the subject since
the jubilee.
1t is understood that the Canadian
premier, Sir Wilfred Laurier, has con.
ferred with the British government on
the seal question. The interests OF
Canada are opposed to restrictions be-
ing placed on scaling, and as Great
Britain is now cultivating the good
viii of her colonies, this policy may
render it more difficult for the United
States to secure an agreement on the
subject.