New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-16

citizens OF Great Britain Vcsseis mug
C9) The Government Of the United States snail
prohibit until May 1892 the killing Of seals in that
part OF Behrng above described and on the shores
and islands thereof the property Of the United States
(in excess of 1900 to be taken on the islands, and
the Government of the United states will promptly
take such steps best calculated eiectually 70
insure the observance Of this prohibition by the cid
zens Of tho United states and the veesls flying its
flag.
These changes are suggested IN order that the modus
may clearly the territorial extent with the
pending proposals for arbitration thst the stipulation
for prohibition Of seal killing upon the Islands OF the
United States may rest upon It's order. and that
the obligations Of the respective Governments 10 give
prompt and vigorous effect to the agreement may be
more clearly apparent
second-The pertinency Of the suggestion contained
in the third subdivision Of Lord sssburys proposal
is not apparent to the President The statutes OF the
United States explicitly prohibit the landing OF any
vessels al the seal islands and the residence thereon
Of any person. unless specifically authorized by the
Secretary Of the Treasury. II is, therefore,
obvious that no consular functions could DO
discharged upon tho islands by any representa-
tive of Her Majesty's Government The Presi-
dent regards this law declaring exception to the
residence Of consus within the meaning OF Article Nv
of the convention and navigation OF Deem
Der 90 1915, between Her Maiesty's Government ana
the United States II the proposal intended TO relate
10 the islands Of St Paul and St. George aud has ior
its object such agents of the Government OF
Her Majesty may be appointed to investigate facts
that may be involved In the pending proposals for aro
tation or in the hearing before the arotraors am
directed by the President say that in the event o. an
agreement for arbitration Of the questions in dispute be-
tween Great Britain and the United States he would be
willing to extend reasonable facilities to Great Britain
for the investigation at the islands OF any facts involved
In the controversy.
Thrd-The fourth clause Of the proposal Of Her Ma
Iesty's Government limiting the taking effect OF the
RuSSia presents what
seems 10 the President an nsuperabe difficulty, as an
adherence to that suggestion by Her Macstys Govern
ment WILL In his opinion prevent the conclusion OF any
agreement and Will inevitably cause such delay as 10
thwart the purposes which he must suppose both Gov
sruments have had in view He is surprised that this
result did not suggest itself to Lord Salisbury and does
not doubt that it will be apparent to him on reexam-
fnaton.
NO OCCASION FOR CALLING FOR RUSSIAN AID.
am also directed TO remind you that the contention
between the United States and Great Britain mas been
limited to that part of Behring Sea eastward OF the
line Of demarcatOn described in our convention with
Russia to which reference has already been made, and
that Russia has asserted any rights IN theSe
waters affecting the subectmatter of this contention
and cannot therefore, be a necessary parry 70 uese
negotiations II they not now Improperly EXPANDED
Under the statutes the United States the President
authorized to prohibit sealing In the Behring Sea WITH
In the limits described in convention with Russia
and to restrict the killing Of seals on the sands OIL he
United States authority is conferred upon MIN
10 make penal the taking of seals in the waters OF
Behrng westward Of the line referred TO or upon
any OF the shores or Islands thereof. 10 was never
supposed by any one representing the Government OF
the United States in this correspondence, or by Ihe
President that agreement for modus vlvenol couu
oe broader than the subject Of contention stated IN he
correspondence OF the respective Governments. Nego-
tatlons for an arbitration have been proceeding be-
tween the United States Great Britain, and If these
powers competent to settle by this friendly mepnou
their respective rights and relations In the disputed
waters, upon a permanent basis 1t would seem 10
follow that no question could arise as 10 tner COM
potency TO deal directly with the subject OF single
season II Great Britain insists upon impossible con-
dtons viz: that the conclusion Of the mOdus vlvendl
is to be DELAYED until and made contingent upon the
assent Of Russia TO stop the killing OF seals on us own
islands and it's own waters and upon the exercise Of
the President Of powers not conferred by law' thls
would be, in his opinion, practical Withdrawal pS
Great Britain from the negotiations for a modus
vivendi. This he would much regret and ne con-
fdently hopes that reconsideration will enable LORD
salisbury to waive the suggestions OF Russss paruc-
nation in the agreement and the inclusion OF other
waters than those which the contention between ti9
United States and Great Britain relates
In case the terms of the modus vivend are agreed
upon the President suggests that provision heretofore
considered in another connection in the general CORE
spondence by which the Naval or other duly commS
stoned officers of either party may arrest any offending
i
whose flag IL carries such judicial proceedings as
the law provides should be incorporated here the more
efectnally to carry out the supulations Oh the re
spective Governments TO prohibit their citizens and
vessels from taking seals in the specified waters OF
Behrng Sea.
Having. with view to exigency which he has sew
oral times caused to be explained to you promptly re-
sponded to the suggestions OF your note OF yesterday
the President directs 10 say that he will be pleased
to have from Lord Salisbury prompt response to these
suggestions.
IN am further directed by the President to say that
your note of the same date referring the conditions
Of the proposed arbitration and stating the objection Of
Lord salisbury TO points In the proposal OF Mr.
Blaine will have the early attention Of the President
have the honor, etc., WILLIAM F. WHARTON,
Acting Secretary.
Sir Julian Pauncefote. G. O. NJ. c., X. C. B., etc.
GREAT BRITAIN ACCEPTS THE PRESIDENTS PRO
PoSALs.
The correspondence continues as follows:
British Legation, Washington, June g. 1891
Sir Immediately the receipt OF your note OF june
relative to tho proposed mOdus vivendi in Behr1nt
Sea. I communicated It's contents to the Marquis o
Salisbury by telegraph. have now the honor to in
form YOU that late last mint received telegrapm
reply from His LOrshp of which the substance is con
tanned in the enclosed memorandum nave the honor
etc JULIAN PAUNCEFOTE
The Hen william F. Wharton.
q Memorandum.
Behring Sea Modus Vivendl.
Her Majesty's Government accept the proposal D
tho President that the modus vivendi, agreed upon
should provide that the naval or other duly commits
stoned officers of either party arrest any Offending
vessel and turn Il over at the nearest port OF th
nation whose flag carries, for such judicial proceed
,ngs as the law provides" BY accepting this pro
posal Her Majesty's Government give 20 the cruiser
Of the United states the power Of supervising the con
du,t of British subjects In observing the proposes
agreement at soa This is concession which, In Lor
salsburys opinion, entitled Her Ma1estys Govermen
40 ask from the United States that correspondent
nowcr Of supervising proceedings Of United State
citizens on the seal islands 1t is on the fidelity wit
,rMcb the condition Of not killing more than $50
GOALS is observed that the equality OF the propose
agreement depends.