New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-08-25
STRONG EXPRESSIONS FROM OTTAWA
VIEWS OF CABINET OFFICERS ON ENGLANDs
RuMoRED WILLINGNESS 10 ACCEPT

RUMORED WILLINGNESS TO ACCEPT
ARBITRATION.
Ottawa Aug "a (SpecaD.-A report was currens IN
Ottawa to-day that England had offered to settle tho
Behring Sea difficulty by arbitration. Most OF tno
Ministers of the Crown are out OF town. MacHenHe
Bowel, Minister of Customs and Acting Minister Oh
Fisheries and Marine, said that he had received no
official information to the effect stated. In matter
of so much Importance II such an offer had really
been made by England he would not feel at liberty
to express an opinion at the present stage "itnouo
his saving it in so many words, however, IL was
inferred that he would scarcely be prepared TO creds
any report Of this nature that was not officially con-
frmed. william Smith, Deputy Minister Of Marine
and Fisheries who also in town, said that no
infomatio had reached the Government SO far as ne
knew respecting the reported arbitration.
One prominent member of the Government
who had not been known for years TO
use a profane word, CALCULATED with empha-
sis when askedabout the story: Il can'e
make out why the devil of our fellows don't 90
out surround the Rush, and bring her into BRUSH
ports Another added: |" She's pirate, anyway
leading member of the Ministry, who intimated that,
considering the delicate nature of the affair." he must
decline to allow his name 10 be used made state
ment which Will be regarded as important as en-
abling American readers TO understand what repre-
sentative Canadian feeling tho matter really Is.
lie said
ence but the open-handed piracy must stop, and
the Canadian Government will urge that steps be
taken to render further seizures impossible beforo
anything is agreed TO. Tho Ministers, rightly or
wrongly are satisfied that the States are blufBng,'
and that England is In serious earnest this time.
several Of the Ministers have talked over Tho Lon
don Tmess' editorial supporting Canada and have
expressed their satisfaction with it, understanding
ii 10 be the inspired uterance of the Imperial Gov
ernment. All the great maritime interests Of the
greatest maritime Nation on earth involved
the point raised and in the settlement of these Ques-
tons Of international law and the jurisdiction Of tho
Government can withstand when IN motion
Americans will continue to bluff unrii England
gets her back up and talks and means fight. Then
The Republic will back down, for the reason, II no
other, that she has not leg to stand on Besides,
the states are hardly In a condition Of preparation
TO fight England on the Just yet. In twenty
days England could lay the leading Atlantic cities
of the In ruins The general opinion prev all
ing here tonight is that England viii not
to any such arbitration as the United States would
consider satisfactory. Her interests are too I'M
pOrtant. She will not let the decision OF such Q
matter rest in the hands Of thirl party, but
will consent u conference. Canada Will urge, n
there conference, that the fisheries question
and the subject of limited reciprocity In the tarihs
OF Canada and the United States bo presented, ara
that Canada be of the parties 20 the proceedings
England and Canada will undoubtedly agree 70 far pr
pOsas Join the United states In protecting me seals
pending the negotiation for conference ana tne CON
ference itself, but only on condition INA, hIssn, M
while seizures shall be stopped, that there SHAH DE no
exercise of sovereign power OUTSIDE the ,hree-mhs ~,
limit and that compensation shall be palu Ior tno
selzures already ELECTED