Morning journal and courier., 1891-03-11
REACHED A SETTLEMENT.

A Favorable Turn in the Behrins Sea NegottatiOns-A Commu nication From Lord Salisbury to Sir Julian Pauncefort.
 WASHINGTON, D. O., March 10.-The Behring Sea negotiations have taken a most favorable turn and the governments of the United States and Great Britain appear to have at length reached a basis upon which to settle. This is shown by the following communication from Lord Sails bury to Sir Julian Pauncefort, the British minister here, which was laid before MT. Blaine and was made public tonight:
 FOREIGN OFFICE,
 February 21, 1891. To Sir Julian Pauncefort:
 Sir-The despatch of MT. Blaine, under date of the 17th of December, has been carefully considered by her majesty's gov ernment. The effect of the discussion which has been carried on between the two governments has been materially to narrow the area of controversy. After going over the ground the letter continues: In regard to the questions as they.are pro. posed by MT. Blaine, should say that as to the first and second no objection will be offered by her majesty's government. They are as follows:
 Q) What exclusive jurisdiction in the sea known as the Behring sea and what exclusive rights in the seal fisheries there in did Russia assert and exercise prior and up to the time of the cession of Alaska to the United Statesa
 @ How far were these claims of juris- diction as to the seal fisheries recognized and conceded by Great Britain?
 The third question is expressed in the following terms: Was the body of water now known as the Behring sea included in the phrase "Pacific ocean" as used in the treaty of 1895 between Great Britain and Russia, and what rights Gf any) in the Behring's sea were given or conceded to Great Britain by the said treaty!
 Her majesty's government would have no objection to referring to arbitration the first part of that question if it should be thought desirable to do so, but they would give that consent with the reservation that they do not admit that the decision, if it can conclude the larger question, the ar bitrator would have to determine.
 Did not all the rights of Russia as to jurisdiction and as to the sea fisheries in Behring's Sea east of the water boundary in the treaty between the United States and Russia of the 30th of March, 1867 pass unimpaired to the United States under that treaty. The fourth question is hardly worth referring to an arbitrator, as Great Britain would be prepared to accept it without dispute.
 The sixth question (relating to the es- tablishment of closed period in seal fish irg) which deals with the issues that will arise in case the controversy should be de- cided in favor of Great Britain would per haps more ftly form the substance of a separate reference. Her msjesty's gov ernment has no objection to refer the gen eral question of close time to arbitration or to ascertain by that means how far the enactment of such provision is necessary for the preservation of the seal species, but any such reference ought not to contain words appearing to attribute special and abnormal rights in the matter to tke United States. In closing Lord Salisbury requests that MT. Blaine be furnished with 8 copy of his despatch.