Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-07-16
sHERMAX's SEAL LETTER.
II Has Not Affected NeEotintions-h
Cnnfcrenre assured.

IL Has Not Affected NeEotinttOns-A
Conference Assured.
LONDON, July 15.-While among the
general public here the tone Of Secretary
Sherman's letter 10 Ambassador Hay, re-
garding the Bering Sea seal regulations,
is greatly resented. the correspondent OF
the Associated Press is in a position TO
say that. whatever criticism the British
Government has TO make upon the
phraseOlOgy Of the communication the
letter has not in any way aHected uh-
favorably the negotiations which COlont'
Hav has been conducting. A conference
will be held i'm Washington during the
autumn. at which the United states
Great Britain Russia. and Japan VIII
be represented. Since the receipt Of Sec
rotary Shorman's note to Lord SALISBURY
Ambassador Hay has had repeated con
ferences with his LOrdship, all Of which
have been Of the most friendly charac-
ter. The most conciliatory spirit Is as
PLAYED in the matter by the British for
eilu office, as is evident BE- the decision
20 hold a conference which, although not
vet formally announced may be regard
ed as settled.
IL may also be taken for granted that
Canada does not oppose this decision.
The evening newspapers are in a rage
over the matter The half-penny journals
issue sensational placards bearing sucf
lines as Twisting the Lions Tail Again
and America Shrieks at England"
The more serious papers deal with the
situation editorially. The Times. I'm its
financial article to-day, referring to Sec
rotary Sherman's communication in re-
ference to the controversy. says: "Mr.
Sherman's dispatch Is not regarded Sc
rlously, but the fact that American
statesmen. or rather politicians. think il
useful from time 10 time TO indulge IN
language Of scarcely yelled hostility. viii
not pass unnoticed. and will add TO the
prevailing indisposition OF prudent invest
ors 10 buy American Securities
= I1Er5 NEED BLOOD-LETITNG.'
The Daily Mail says edi,orally: "Unless
we get an arbitration treaty. the Jay will
come when the unbridled Verbiage of a
small section Of American politicians will
magnify petty insult into a pretty war.
Secretary Sherman's dispatch is 10 I'M
Diplomatic for English ears. and too no!
low for American cOmmon-sense. In
the interest Of humanity. the rumored al
lance between Japan and Spain is lie
sirable Our Yankee friends want a
little blood-lettng TO bring them TO a
sensible international policy, and this
would best be done by any hands other
than those Of England"
The Times, in an editorial article says:
1T is impossible TO doubt the authen-
ticity of the document. 1t is a manifest
attempt in offensive language 10 fasten
upon England charge of bad faith.
II this was not Secretary Shcrmans in
tontion. ne has shown himself sinsularly
untitled for the delicate and responsible
duties Of his office. II it was. then, the
statement ne recently made repIli1t.ng
he charge of bad faith was deli0eraIely
misleading When he was first appoint
ed TO his present office, doubts were ex-
pressed as 10 the wisdom Of the choice.
II he really sent this dispatch, they WI
be fully confirmed"
The Standard says editorially: "The
appearance of Secretary Sherman's dis
patcn has undoubtedly damaged the posi-
ton of the State Department. II is
preposterous that We should be accused
If bad faith by men who have VIGOROUSLY
refused to comply with an impartial
award simply because il was given
against them
WARIIKE.
The Post. in an editorial, says: Every
indication points 10 the certainty that
Great Britain will be compelled to fight
FOR her existence against the United
states as soon as the American Govern
men believes that war can safely be be-
gIn. In such "A situation, war cannot be
Il verted by justice nor by good will our
statesmen must search their consciences
and make sure in any controversy
that may be raised. that their atti-
tude is Just and fair. They should con-
cede 40 long as there is any reasona Die
doubt concerning the justice OF their po-
sition. but they must be prepared for an
apueal 10 force. We can imagine no
more dreadful calamity. our duty Is 70
make sure that it comes by no fault OF
ours. and that IL shall find us united and
prepared.
,erhe respite will. in all likelihood be
the time needed for the creation OF
more powerful American heet-say. three
or four years. or for the creation OF a
NAUTICAL combination with some naval
Power. say az many months. The orS
eauizatlon to sustain such a contest will
he short. The time to face the situation
Is not in three years or three months.
but now.
roo LATE FOR CLASSIFICATION.