New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-03
DISCOVERIES OF GCANO.
ATTITUDE OF THE UNITED STATES Gov
EMINENT APROPOs OF THE CLIP
PERTON ISLAND AFFAIR.
IBy TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIpuNE.J

7 Washington. Jan. 2-The report Of the hauling
down OF the stars and Stripes" and the raising OF
the Mexican flag by an armed force from a Next
can gunboat at Clipperton Island bears evidences
OF considerable exaggeration for sensational effect
However this may be, the incident" is likely TO
lead to war between the United States and Mexico
There have been other guano island controversies
OF similar character between this Government
and Mexico and other American Governments
similar. with the possible exception OF the
"high-handed" hauling down OF the United
States flag, II that part Of this latest af-
fair shall prove he true. As TO the Lobos guano
islands. west OF the coast OF Peru. from which Peru
claimed the right TO drive away United States
sells Secretary Webster remarked that "the convic
ton IS deep and general among the consumers Of
the article in foreign countries or at least in the
United States. that the high price Of guano is occa-
stoned by the policy which the Peruvian Govern
ment has thought proper adopt in reference its
expectation and that that policy tends the ad
vantage OF a few individuals at the expense of the
consumers"
Some idea of the degree OF importance attached
to the discovery Of deposits Of guano is given in
the fact that the United States has twice enacted
laws relating TO the discovery by it's citizens Of
deposits Of guano. and defining the right OF such
citizens TO the protection Of the United States in
the use and control of the deposits of guano These
laws included in the Revised Statutes OF
the United States. The object Of the laws.
stated by Government authorities. is ito benefit
American agriculture by promoting the supply OF
guano at a reasonable price" The laws confer
upon the President of the United States discre-
tionary power TO decide whether an island which
has not been appropriated by any other nation,
and on which guano has been discovered, shall be
considered appertaining 10 the United States"
and whether he shall employ the land and naval
forces OF the United States 10 protect the rights
Of the discoveries Of such an island This.
declared by the Department Of State previous
occasion. rs marifestly a grave and important
duty" 10 be performed by the President only after
all the requirements Of the law shall have been
compiled with.
Before assuming therefore. the grave respons.-
biity of declaring guano island TO belong to the
United States. the President must be satisfied that
the guano found upon It is sufficient in quantity
and quality to justify the measure. To enable an
alleged discoyerer Of guano deposit TO make
title 1t is necessary. under the act OF Congress.
prove citizenship; that the deposit has not been
previously discovered by another; that the island
at The time not in occupation or possession or
President has been satisfied on all these points he
may in his discre ton, regard the island contain
United States, but he is not obliged 10 do so.
SO great Is the value o. the guano deposits OF
country able TO save Itself from dis member
ment after its recent disastrous war win Chi.d
the foreign debt OF Peru security upon All the
guano deposits OF the Republic" Under the ar
pledged its guano and nitrate deposits for the pay
the Republic.
CIpperion Island is coral reef. It's sole value
would be on account of deposits OF guano. The
dispatch from Mexico contains conflicting and in
accurate statements. such. for Instance, &c that
the island where this "h!Sh-handed proceeding u
said 10 have taken place i eight hundred miles of
the Mexican coast. while in another sentence II Is
described as thirty miles west Of Acapulco" II
states in paragraph that there are on this ISL
and -four thousand tons Of guano and in another
place 1t is stated that there are about twenty
thousand tons Of guano on the island, valued at
10000 In gold
During the Administration Of President Arthur
this Government had 4 controversy with Mexico
concerning Arenas Key. 1t was claimed by ciu-
zens Of the United States, and the claim was con-
tested by Mexico The State Department neither
asserted renowned tAe proprletorship OF the
United States the island nor did II affirm that
title rests with the Government OF Mexico The
Secretary Of State left the question open for lack
Of evidence sufficient to lead to satisfactory con
clusion IN the premises. The ground upon which,
under the laws Of the United States. IS based the
right Of citizens OF the United states TO the use
and control of deposits Of guano on Islands, rocks
keys is the discovery, not Of the island or other
place named. but OF the deposit Of guano II must
also be shown that the place Of deposit Is mot
within the lawful jurisdiction Of any other govern
moi