The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-07-22
THE LONDON PRESS IS WROTH
OVER SECRETARY sHERMAN's
BEHRING SEA LETTER.
CENSURED FOR MAKING II PUBLIC
1t Is Said Lord Salisbury VIII En-
tire1y Ignore the BeIIigerent
Epistle-cutting Remarks Made
About Political JfngOes.

Associated Press is in position to sa
that whatever criticism the British govern
ment may have to make on the phrase
0logy of the communication the latter ha
not in any way affected unfavorably tn
negotiations which Col. Hay has bee
conducting.
A conference will be held in Washington
during the autumn. at which the Unite
States, Great Britain. Russia and Japal
will be represented.
Since the presentation of Secretar,
Shermans note to Lord Salisbury, Ambas
sadOr Hay has had repeated conferences
with his lOrdship, all of which have beel
of the most friendly character. The mos
conciliatory spirit is displayed in the mat
| ter by the British foreign office as is evi
dent by the decision to hold conference
which. although not yet formally announc
ed, may be regarded as settled.
| 1t may also be taken for granted that
| Canada does not oppose this decision. Mr.
| Davies, the Canadian minister of marine
| IN an interview with the correspondent OF
| the Associated Press, today said:
I'VE regard the latest proposals of the
| United States as entirely reasona bic.
There is the friendliest feeling with regard
to the negotiations between the two gov
ernments and in view of this the two
peoples should not be resentful. think
this is reasonable view to take of the
matter.
81 have talked with Mr.. John w. Fos-
ter as to the reports that the cores
pondencee. might provoke some unpleas-
antnesS," continued Mr.. Davies. ..and he
agrees with me that there is no reason
for resentment. However. / do not CON
slider it fair that only one side of the
correspondence should be published. The
Canadians have never believed the seals
We're I'm any real danger of extinction.
Distinctly on the contrary, it is proved
by statistics that they are steadily in
crossing"
The evening papers are in a rage over
the sharp reply of Secretary Sherman to
Lord Salisbury in the seal controversy.
The half penny journals issue sensational
placards. bearing such lines as Twisting
the lions tail again." and America
shrieks at England"
The more serious papers deal with the
situation deliberately
The Globe, in an article headed Yankee
Insolence," says: ..
"The memories of Cleveland's impertin-
cnt message are revived by the extraordin-
AIRY insulting dispatch which Mr.. Sherman
has permitted to find its way into the
papers. Watch the merits of the ques-
ton, which fortunately is one for the
L.
Sherman is in defiance not only of the
usage of diplomacy, but of the maxims of
ordinary civility. Englishmen will be glad
to see that Lord Salisbury has so far as a
patriot of the seal fisheries is concerned,
treated the message as though it had never
been sent. If he were to 80 Il step further
and to direct Sir Julian Pauncefote to in
innate to Mr. Mckinley that her majesty's
government declines to receive dispatches
sent in such language and could only re-
ply to the note by handing Col. Hay his
passports. the action would be endorsed by
the complete approval of the nation
The Pail Mall Gazette says. Mr.. Sher-
| mans tone is not what it might be. but
the nastiest feature of the affair is in the
publica ton of the dispatch at all.
The Westminster Gazette refers TO Mr..
Sherman's somewhat ugly dispatch and
Says:
Seals. like silver, get into American
party politics. 1t is an ugly symptom that
seals should he used to provide the new
American government with means TOR Il
demonstration against England. The Nc
Kinley government will inevitably disap-
point the American jingoes in the matter
of silver and thinks it necessary to clear
itself of pro-British suspicious by striking
too heroic attitude in the matter of seals.
The Times in an editorial says:
1t is impossible to doubt the authentic
| ity of the document. 1t is a manifesto
| ton, in offensive language. to fasten upon
England charge Of bad faith. If it was
| not Secretary Sherman's intentions, he
has shown himself singularly unfit, for
| the delicate and responsible duties of his
Office If it was, then the statement he
| made repudiating the charge of bad faith
| was deliberately misleading. When he
| was first appointed to his present office,
| doubts were expressed as to the wisdom
| of the choice. If he really sent this dis
patch. they will be fully confirmed.
| The Times. in its financial article, today
| referred to Secretary of State Sherman's
communication in reference to the seal
controversy. 1t says:
| Mr.. Shermans dispatch is not regarded
seriously, but the fact that American
statesmen, or rather politicians, think it
| useful from time to time to indulge in
| language of hostility will not pass I'M
noticed and will add to the prevailing in
| disposition of prudent investors to buy
| American securities.
| Suggesting that the dispatch was pub
lished with the connivance if not the
| active aid of lingo senators, who We're
| under Il solemn obligation to treat it as
confidential, the Times proceeds to quote
| from New York papers condemning the
| tone of the dispatch and expresses the
belief that this will he the attitude of
the American public.
The editorial concludes by calling at
tention to the financial article in another
column of the Times, adding: "JingOisn!
has business aspect unfavorable TO the
revival of American prosperity"
The Chronicle severely censures the
methods of American diplomacy, and
| says:
The fact that some nations, like our
selves. are fortunate in being favored
with the presence of Il diplomat who is
no less gentleman in public than in
private life, is not sufficient to remove
this slur and danger"
| The Standard says:
The appearance of Secretary Shcr-
mans dispatch has undoubtedly damaged
the position of the state department. 1t
is prepOsterOus that we should be nc.
cused of bad faith by men who have no.
torously refused to comply with an i'm.
partial award, simply because it was
given against them"
The Post says:
Every indication points to the Ger.
tainty that Great Britain will be com.
PEELED to fight for her existence against
| the United States as soon as the Ameri.
can government believes that war car
be safely begun. In such n situation
war can not be averted by justice. moi
by good will. Our statesmen must search
their cOnsciences and make sure that
| in, +ho+ l.