The record-union., 1897-07-16
SECRETARY SHERMAN'S SHARP
NOTE.

Secretary Sherman's note to the
American ambassador at the Court of
St James, which is an indirect letter
to the English Cabinet, is a strong, Wig
orous and manly document. The Amer
lean Premier speaks in no uncertain
tones of our chagrin that England re-
fuses to unite with us in conference to
devise means to prevent the extermina-
tion of the Behring Sea seal herds. He
fatty and sharply accuses England of
unfairness and injustice in Withholding
the report of its expert scientist, Pro-
fessor Thompson until after the report
of our expert, DR. Jordan. had been
given publicity, and then formulating
a reply of refusal to fit the English re-
port, a refusal to act in concert with
the United States to the end both ma
tions originally had in view.
Secretary Sherman makes no conceal
ment OF the annoyance, even the indig-
nation of the Government of the United
States over Englands declination to
act with us to preserve the seal herds
from determination. It is all around
a document of statesmanlike vigor, dig
nifty and justifable Indignation. In
deed, it is intimated in one part of the
note that England is not only insin-
cere in this whole matter but that she
is actuated by the cunning Of unworthy
motive, that may easily be construed
as unfriendly.
Such a note in times when relations
between two great Powers are strained
would be taken as a distinct threat, and
be construed as offensive. Yet it is
perfectly true that Secretary Sherman
is justified in all he says, in every criti-
cism he makes, and every challenge of
the wisdom of the British Cabinet.
The 'Record-Union" will never regret
the position it originally occupied re-
garding the Behring Sea and our rights
therein. We believed then and still
hold. though arbitration has settled it
against us, that American rights to po-
lice. patrol and regulate in those waters
rose superior IL dbl OlLS1Ss L AlN1I NAAS 90
was marine territory over which Russia
exercised for half century exclusive
control. absolute and not successfully
questioned, and which right and title
she conveyed to us without protest or
objection. We then held that English
right in those waters never was greater
than the rights and privileges of Portu-
guese, Hawaiians, japanese, Cretans,
Turks. Icelanders or the tribes of the
burning deserts of Africa.
But the American nation was per-
suaded and beaten into arbitration of
the issue, and we were practically de-
feated. Now, British right being es-
tablished as equal. IL not superior. to
our own in Behring Sea, England snaps
her fingers in our face, denies the
physical facts of scientific inquiry and
development, and declares that since
English experts say the seal is not in
danger of determination, the British na-
ton will not only not consult with us
upon the subject, but will take no in
tion Of the herds.
This is said, and done, of course, be-
cause Of the profound respect, to use
no harsh term, that England enter
tains for the people of her American
colonies. These Canadians bluntly pro-
pose to take seals as and when they
please. and England evidently dares not
oppose their desire That, we suspect
is the long and the short of the matter.
The treaty award left loophole re-
garding joint action for seal protection
through which the British now seek to
escape The award required the two
nations to equally and efficiently patrol
the sea in protection of the herds for
a given period. This duty England has
not faithfully performed, according TO
American observation. Now, when con-
ference is desired concerning further
period Of patrol and policing of the sea,
the British contemptuously snap their
fingers in our face, and reply that they
are satisfied that our fears are ground