THE BEHRING SEA DISPUTE.

Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 147, 22 June 1889, Page 4

THE BEHRING SEA DISPUTE.

Papers by the American mail bo-day show bhab our cablegrams considerably magnified the difficulty over the Behring Sea fisheries The excitement arose from a message despatched from Victoria, 8.C., to ?__ effect that the flag - ship Swifteure, the fast cruiser Amphmn bhe Icarus, and bwo torpedo boats then at that port, were being stocked to a lengthy cruise, and would, on the arrival of HM Champion, leave for Alaskan waters. The despatch added: "Itis well understood here thab<mould Bribish sealers be interfered with by American cruisers while prosecuting seal hunting without the league limit, the British war vessels will protect them. It is stated that the sealing mascers were assured before clearing for Behring Sea thab bheywould be protected. A prominent member of the Canadian Ministry, however, who was interviewed on bhe subject, abated bhab the Government had no information with regard to the movements of these vessels He added: I am hopeful of a peaceful settlement, and negotiations were progressing favourably before the Republicans assumed office. Secretary Bayard had gone so tar as to propose an international convention to take steps for the protection of the fur-bearing animals _in Behring Sea and the Sea, of Qkotsk. Japan, Russia and England had as-reed to send representatives. I don t anticipate trouble this year. Even thoue-h British war vessels should proceed to Behring Sea, their presence 'is only natural. Canadian sealers venturing north will be warned of __Mr dangers" as usual, and be advised to sub mib in case of seizure. Canadian seamen rani ob expecb probecbion from British men-of-war unless some flagrant outrage is committe_. After seizure the vessels' owners can se_.c compensation through diplomatic Ch TWB id of course, the natural and proper coarse. Russia and Japan as weU.as;Eng'land and tb*> United States have an wteresb in the Bebrio* Sea, and it is no i competent for any one Power to determine the question of navigation there. Seals, however, are usually captured when on shore, and we have very little doubt that the American GoWnment, experience great difficulty in putting down poaching cm the Alaska coast an* the chorea of the

Aleutian Islands, whloh are their property. Of course sealers who Infringe the regulations governing those territories are liable to seizure just as an American vessel would be if caught breaking the New Zealand regulations which prohibit sealing on the Auokland Islands.