New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-29
THE CANADIAN REPLY.

Heads we win, tails you lose" Is, II reports
be true the Canadian reply to the overtures OF
the United States Government on the subject Of
Behring Sea- The United States. 1t will be re-
membered, said that under the present system
the fur seals were being commercially extermi-
mated, and an industry of great profit to both
countries was thus being ruined This Canada
would not at first admit. But when she sent
an expert commission to investigate the facts
scientifically It's findings confirmed the United
Statess contentious in every essential respect.
! Then the United States proposed a temporary
suspension Of sealing, both land and pelagic, all
around, to give time for further investigations
and negotiations, and permanent settlement
which should be equitable and just to all parties
concerned To this the Canadian Government
has now made reply. to the effect that 1t will
agree to such suspension Of sealing only on con-
dtion that the United States will first grant all
its demands on every other matter Of dispute
That statement sounds extreme II Is. accord
ing to Ottawa dispatches. well within the bounds
Of truth. Canada asks that Joint commission
be called to meet at once. that all the contro
versles between the two countries be submitted
to Il for settlement, and that the adjustment OF
sealing relations be dependent upon the result
Of It's labors II the commission shall settle all
these other controversies in way satisfactory
to Canada, pelagic sealing will be suspended.
II 1t does not thus settle them, pelagic sealing
will not be suspended. And If the United States
does not agree to such plan, Of course pelagic
sealing will go on as at present. Grant US
everything we ASK or you will get nothing" Is
the practical Interpretation Of that reply.
That this Is. indeed. Canadas reply is to be
believed with reluctance end only on the
strength of Canada's own authority. For 1t
must be regarded as lacking the elements Of
Justice and reason. 1t Is no doubt desirable
to settle all the questions at issue. This coun-
try is as much interested in doing so as Canada
can be- But they should be settled one at a
time each on its own merits. No court tries
half a dozen unrelated cases at once. There Is
no connection between sealing and the Alien
Labor law, nor any good reason why proper
fulflment Of the Paris award should be made
conditional upon Interpretation of the Anglo
Russian North American treaty Of three-quar-
tiers of century ago. 1t Is much as II
man should refuse to come to an agreement with
his neighbor over disputed fence-line until
that nelghbor would agree to buy his next years
crop Of potatoes ut a special price. No doubt
the principle Of give and take" has a proper
place in international negotiations. But even
in its application one bargain at time ought
to be made and settled II Canada would en-
ter upon consideration CT the sealing question
alone and In the course thereof should ask con-
cessions on some other matter as quid pro
QUO, her action would be reasonable and bust
nessllke. This country does not expect her to
give something for nothing. and If IT were shown
that the Abandonment Of pelaglc sealing would
mean dead loss to Canada with no compensat-
Ing advantages to her and clear profit TO the
United States, this Government would doubt
less be ready TO consider the question Of re-
Enumeration to its northern neighbor But to
agree In advance that Canada Is to be compen-
sated TO the full extent she may desire, whether
or not she is shown to be entitled to any COM
pensation at all, would be by far too onesided
nm arrangement for serious consideration.
Not the least significant feature Of the case
Is that Canada admits that the sealing regula-
lions ought to be revised, and more equitable
arrangement made In the interest Of both coun-
tries. And yet she refuses to make such an ar
rangement unless she is paid her own price for
doing So She even admits that pelagic sealing
II of no value TO her. Says Sir Louis Davies,
her Minister of Marine and Fisheries 1--WE
"know that as commercial venture it does not
"pay either country" Yet she refuses to sus-
pend this industry, which Is not profitable to
her. unless she 4, richly remunerated for so do
ing. She will not right a wrong without re-
ward and she demands payment for something
which she specifically declares to be Of no value!
A more Illogical and unworthy attitude for q
great nation to Assume Ii scarcely 10 be imag-