The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-06-02
DELAYS OF DIPLOMATS.
So Many and So Long That the
Closed Season Will Be
Lost.
American and Canadian Sealers
Already on Their Way to
Bering Sea-
Blaine Shifts Position on the Question of
Cessation of Killing Wants to
XIII a Few.

Cessation Of KilIing-Wants to
XIII Few.
WASHINGTON, June 1.-The state depart
lnent to-day made public the latest install
ment Of the correspondence of the Bering
sea matter. 1t begins with the letter from
Secretary Blaine to Sir Julian Panncefote.
May 4. In 1t he refers to his proposition
after tho Adjournment Of congress for d
modus vivendi under which no Canadian
sealer should be allowed to come within
certain number of miles of Pribyloff
islands. Lord Salisbury fearing this might
provoke conflict the president concluded
to propose suspension of sealing by both
nations during arbitration or during the
season Of 1891. The long silence of Lord
Salisbury seemed to imply that he would
ing Bering sea and az all intelligence
from British Columbia showed that sealers
were getting ready to sail in large numbers
the president found he could not with
Justice prevent the lessees from taking
seals on Pribyloff islands. On the 22d of
April Blaine received notice from Paunce-
fote that Lord Salisbury was ready to agree
to the proposition, and Mr.. Blaine tele-
graphed it to the president in the west.
The latter replied, April rs, expressing sat
1sfactlon, but instructinR Blaine to inform
Pauncefote that some seals must bs killed
by natives for food: that lessees are bound
under their lease from the government to
feed and care for natives, etc. Paunce-
fnfo nd vii h
with the Presidents suggestion, and ex-
pressed a belief that Salisbury would not
accept: that the killing of seals must
be cut off absolutely. Mr.. Blaine
thereupon submitted to Pauncefote
statement of exactly what terms in regard
to caring for the natives of Alaska were i'm
posed upon the North American company
by lease, in short, the means of living. fa-
clllt1es for education, care OF b ealth, reli-
gious teaching, training of ola and young
IN community of over BOO persons are inn
posed upon the company by specific arti-
Gle of the lease. If the company should,
as Pauncefote says, Salisbury requests, be
deprived of all privilege of taking seals,
they certainly could not be compelled to
minister to the wants of these people for an
entire year. 1t evidently requires a consid-
cradle sum of money to furnish all requisite
supplies which must be carried 1000 miles
on specially chartered steamer. If theles-
sees are not to be allowed payment in any
form. they will naturally decline expense.
No appropriation has been made by con.
gress fer this purpose and the president
canEot leave these worthy and innocent to
the hazard OF starvation, even to secure
any form of agreement with Lord Sails
bury touching seal life. Seal life may be
valuable. but the first duty of the govern
ment of the United States is to protect hu-
n g ayiu ha Iop% olye
that Lord Salisbury concede to the North
American company the right to take a suf-
tcient number OF seals to recompence them
for their outlay, and after full considera-
ton the secretary of the treasury has fixed
the maximum at 500 to be killed and thet
no females be killed, SO that the present
of the herd would not be dimin-
ished.
On May 5. Sir Julian Pauncefote replied
to Mr.. Blaine, stating that he had forward
ed Lord Salisbury copy of the secretary's
note, and had cabled his lordship the pre-
else terms of the proposal. The British
minister regrets to find some misconcep-
tion as regards the complaint of delay in
acquainting Lord Salisbury with Mr..
45laine's second alternative proposal. This
proposal (for the cessation of killing), he
says, was originally made to him verbally
by Mr.. Blaine and he expressed some re-
luctance at sending. any more proposals to
Lord Salisbury while the latter's dispatch
of Feb. p last (submitting arbitration pro-
posals) remained unanswered and sup-
gested it would be more satisfactory if
this new proposal Cessation of kill
ing) were made concurrently with
Mr.. Blaine's reply, and he underst bod
Mr.. Rlaine to assent to that suggestion.
No appreciable loss Of time occurred, how
ever, as he acquainted Lord Salisbury with
the proposal by mail and received prompt
answer by telegraph. which enabled him to
inform Secretary Blaine, April 20. that his
lordship was disposed to consider the pro-
posal favorably. "At the interview at Your
residence 23d April,' continues the min
lister, you expressed satisfaction at Lord
reply and stated that before
taking further steps you desired to COM
by telegraph with the president.
At further interview at your residence, on
the 9th, You informed me that the presi--
dent desired that the modus vivendi should
contain a reservation of the right to kill a
certain number of seals for tho support of
natives, etc. At first sight this reser-
uation caused me some disappoint-
ment. 1t certainly appeared open to excep-
tion as detracting from the principle of
equity which was principle of the original
was concerned at your stating !
that it was never the intention of the pres-
ident or yourself that the modus vivendi |
should be put in force until arbitration |
terms we're settled. This, l feared, would |
prevent the timely application of the modus
and notice with satisfaction that
no such condition Ia affixed to your present |
proposal, although reservation, rs to the
killing of a limited number of seals ia main
tained am glad to think that there is
yet time to carry out for this season any ar
which may be promptly agreed
10. May 30 Acting SEQ stary Adee addressed
personal note to the British minister. re-
questing reply from her M jestv's gov
srnment. On May 26 he sent another note
% the same officer, saying the president
was anxious for an early response. The
he added. calls for prompt action.
4 large fleet of Canadian saiers has been
Tor weeks or months on the seas. They are
laily going further out of reach. Revenue
,utters have awaited definite orders. Their
presence ia urgently needed in Bering sea,
my further delay tends to defeat the very
purpose of which az cement is sought.
II am therefore directed bv the presi-
lent" continues Mr.. Adee, "to inform you
hat orders have been given to the revenue
utter Rush to proceed to the sealing
stands. Another revenue steamer, the Cor
win, is at San Francisco, nearly ready to
ail, and will shortly put to sea.
,efore her departure appropriate orders
will be sent by her to the islands. men,
ion this in order that you may compre-
send fully that this government desires
o effect an arrangement for this season
md that you may realize how much days
lelay lessons the ability of her majesty's
government to effectively cooperate with
egard to British subjects and tends to de-
Sroy the practicability of an agreement to
INIT the seal catch.
May Sir Julian replied to Mr.. Adee that