Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1890-12-25
lie SEALING DISPUTE.

The President Preparing special Message
on the subieet-I3ritish Overtures Ro-
Jeeted-Congress 10 Take the Resp0nsl-
biIlty.
WAsHiNaTON, Dec. 2i.--President
Harrison expects 10 accompany his
transmission to Congress Of the further
papers relating to the Behring sea con-
troversy with a special message Of sons
length. In this message he win express
in language Of his own selection his
views respecting the rights and claims
OF the United States connected with the
seal fishery, the comparative merits Of
the conduct and position Of the two
Governments since the first seizures in
1886 and the duty Of Congress in the
present position of the question.
The message will be framed with es-
pecial reference 10 the now pending
proposal Of the British Government for
an arbitration, which proposal il is in
tended TO reject before any communica-
ton is made to Congress. The rejection
of the proposal viii effect a practical, II
not complete, suspension of diplomatic
efforts for settlement, there being no
expectation that either Government win
bring forward any effort for renewal
Of negotiations after the impending re-
lection of the British tender Of arbitra-
ton has been announced by Mr. Blaine
TO Sir Julian Pauncefote.
The personal bitterness between Mr..
Blaine and Lord Salisbury, said to have
arisen out of the course of the negotia-
tions, is perceived here to constitute
.I 1,g3,. -,
of efforts toward settlement, and espe-
cially after the diplomatic relations be-
tween the two Governments shall have
been further strained by the energetic
manner in which Mr.. Blaine is prepar-
ing to show up the hollowness and un-
fairness of the British arbitration
project
1t is because of the seeming hopeless
ness of the prospect of settlement by
peaceful means, necessity Of almost
instant resolving upon a new course of
conduct for the United States, that the
President has determined TO lay the
matter before Congress and to apply
for legislative assistance in shaping and
enforcing the policy Of the immediate
future
AS iplliAnh lAbpp0dis do d$iNdAAN
stated, is TO refer to the determination
of friendly and impartial arbitration
the question whether the seizure of
British sealing vessels by the United
States in 1886, 1887 and 1889 We're or
were not lawful seizures. To this
form # proposed submission of the
case to arbitration the President strenu-
ously objects, and he will never agree
TO it unless Congress shall assume the
responsibility in some mode of yield
ing adherence 10 it. The principal
ground, however, is that such form Of
submission would preclude the arbi-
traitor from gi&pe~effect in Ibis d+-sjssonc
otherwise than argumentatively or coll
laterally to those duties Of comfy and
good neighborhood which, are owed by
Great Britain 10 the United States in re-
spect to seal fisheries of Behring sea.
Those duties, as the President con-
ccives them arise partly ont of the
natural and partly out of the historical
conditions of the case, and he will
neither ask nor accept the award of an
arbitrator upon the controversy unless
Great Britain distinctly agrees in the
articles of submission that the legality
of the seizures shall depend, so far as
in reason and justice it ought,
upon consideration of those
and conditions The
non-disturbance of the protective right
assumed by this country over the Behr-
ing Sea seal fishery for nearly twenty
years after the cession of Alaska is
greatly relied upon by the President to
the right OF the United States,
and he will not agree to an arbitration
that does not permit weight to be di-
rectly given to his acquiescence in
American jurisdiction.
The President will give Congress dis
tinctly to understand that in the present
state Of the matter he perceives neither
authority nor reason to abstain next
season from a literal enforcement Of
he provisions of the law for the protec-
ion of the fur seal In Alaska and the
waters thereof. lie will ask Congress
'or liberal appropriation to meet the
Expense of fitting out vessels to serve as
'evenue vessels in sufficient number
md character to capture and disperse
he numerous marauding vessels ex-
,ected TO enter Behring sea next June
md July. If Congress grants an appli-
ation for the enforcement of the seal
ng law in the Behring sea, the Presi-
lent will accept such action as pledge
# resistance to the uttermost, if Lord
should so far force this issue.
If no appropriation is granted or if
he debate shows controlling indispo-
ition 10 proceed 20 war on the seal
question, the revenue vessels will be in
tructed simply to warn foreign sealing
esSels next season. but not 10 Law hands
pom them. And in that case the Presi-
ent viii feel II incumbent upon him 10
lcilitate the resumption of negotia-
ions for the purpose Of ascertaining the
est terms Of settlement that can be eX-
lrted from the British for a termina-
ION of the controversy.
Personally the President believes in
ghting the matter TO an end next
eason. but the gravity of the possible
forbids him 10 commit the
overnment TO an irrevocable course
-ithout first obtaining the opinion and
motion OF Congress.