Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-12-22
. ITLOOKs sQUALLY.
President Preparing Message ia the Beh-
ring Sea Dispute.


NEW YORK, December 2l-President
HARRISON expects to accompany the Trans
mission TO Congress, OF the further papers
relating 10 the Behring Sea controversy,
with a special message OF some length.
Inthis message he will express his views
respecting the rights and claims OF the
United States connected with the seal hsh-
cry. the comparative merits OF the conduct
and position of the two Governments since
the first seizures in 1885, and the duty OF
Congress in the present position OF the
question.
The message will be framed with es-
pecial references to the now pending pro
posal of the British government for an ar
bitration, which-proposal it is intended TO
reject before any communication Is made
to Congress.
The rejection Of the proposal will effect
a practical, if not complete, suspension OF
diplomatic efforts for settlement, there
being no expectation that either govern
ment will bring forward any offer for a re-
uewal of negotiations. The personal bitter
ness between Mr. Blaine and Lord Sails
bury that has arisen out Of the course OF
the negotiations is perceived here 10
constitute q material objection 10 con-
tinuance of efforts toward a settlement
especially after the diplomatic relations
between the two governments shall have
been further strained by the energetic
manner in which Mr. Blaine is preparing
to show up the hollOwness ana unfalrneSs
of the British arbitration project 1t IS be-
cause of the seemingly hopeleSsness OF the
prospect Of a settlement by peaceful means,
and the necessity of almost instantly re
solving upon 4 new course OF conduct Tor
the United States, that the President has
4 r.a1 20 Low a before
Congress. and TO apply for legislative as
sistance IN shaping and enforcing the poll
cv of the immediate future.
The pending British proposal is 10 refer
TO the determination of a friendly and i'm
partial arbitrator of the question whether
/ the seizures of the British sailing vessels
bv the United States in 1856, 1881 and 1888
were or were not lawful seizures. To this
/ form of the proposed submissisn OF the
case 10 arbitration the President strenu-
ously objects, and he never will agree to
| il unless Congress shall assume the re
spOnsibility in some mode Of yielding ad-
herence TO il.
The President will give Congress dis
tinctly 10 understand that in the present
state Of the matter he perceives neither
authority nor reason 10 abstain next season
from literal enforcement Of the provis-
ions Of law for the protection OF the FUR
seal in Alaska aud the waters thereof He
will ask Congress for liberal appropria
ton 10 meet the expenses Of fitting out
chartered vessels, 10 serve as revenue yes
sells. IN sufficient number and character TO
capture and dispose of the numerous mar
auding vessels expected to enter Behring
Sea next June and July. He will not refer
to measures of defense against any steps
that Great Britain may possibly take for
the protection of Canadian sealers from our
revenue vessels. He does not wish 10 ap-
pear to anticipate such counteraction by
England.
II is expected that the President will ac-
cept pledge of resistance TO the utmost II
Lord Salisbury should SO far force the IS
sue limo appropriation is granted, or II
the debate shows a controlling indisposl-
ton To proceed 10 hazard of war upon the
seal question, the revenue vessels Will be
instructed simply TO warn foreign sealing
vessels next season, but not 10 lay hands
upon them And in that case the Presi-
dent will feel Il incumbent upon him to
facilitate the resumption Of negotiations
for the purpose Of aScertaining the best
terms Of settlement that can be eNtorted
from the British Government FOR terml-
nation of the controversy.