The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-06-02


natives, etc,
fauncefote replied. April Of. that he did
not agree with the presidents suggestions.
ana expressed beliefthat Salisbury would
NOT accept; that the killing of seals must
be cut Oft absolutely.
Blame thereupon submitted to Paunce-
fote statement of exactly what term. in
regard to caring for the natives ~ AIasr.
were imposed upon the North American
Company by the lease; in short. means Of
living, facilities for education. care of the
health, religious teaching, training of old
and young in community of over 3oo
persons are imposed upon the company bv
specific article OF the lease. If the
company should, as Pauncefote saw,
Salisbury requests, be deprived of all
privilege of taking seals, they certainly
could not be compelled to minister
TO the wants of these people
requires a considerable sum of money to
furnish all the requisite supplies, which
must be carried 400 miles on specially
chartered steamer. If the lessees are not
10 be allowed payment in any form they
VIII naturally decline the expense. No
appropriation has been made by congress
Tor this purpose, and the president cannot
leave thsse worthy and innocent people
to the hazard of starvation, even to Sc
cure any form of agreement with
Lord Salisbury touching seal life
Seal life may be valuable. but the irst duty
OF the government of the United States is
to protect human life. In this exigency
the president asks that Lord Salisbury con-
cede to the North American Company the
right to take a sufficient number of seals
to recompense them for their outlay, and
after full consideration the secretary of the
treasury has fixed the maximum at 1900
to be killed, and that no females be killed,
so that the productive capacity of the herd
be not diminished.
Secretary Blaine then renews the propo-
sition that the governments agree to sus-
pension of sealing, subject to the above
proviso, saying the president believes the
propositions are calculated to produce n
result at once fair and honorable to both
governments, and thus lead to a perma-
nent adjustment of controversy which
has already been too long left at issue.
On May Sir Julian Pauncefote replied
to Mr.. Blaine. stating that he had for
warded to Lord Salisbury a copy of the
secretary's note and had cabled his lord
ship the precise terms of the proposals.
The British minister regrets to find some
misconception as regards the complaint of
delay in acquainting Lord Salisbury with
Mr.. Blaine's second alternative proposal.
This proposition cessation of killing-he
says was originally made to him
verbally by Mr.. Blaine, and he
expressed some reluctance at sending
any more proposals to Lord Salisbury
while the latter's dispatch of February II
last submitting arbitration proposals, re-
mained unanswered, and suggested that it
would be more satisfactory If this new
proposal-cessation of killing-were made
concurrently with Mr.. Blaine's reply, and
understood Mr.. Blaine to assent to that
suggestion. If Mr.. Blaine had informed
him that the president for any reason de-
sired that this alternative proposal should
be telegraphed to Lord Salisbury,
he need hardly say that he should
have at once complied with
his wishes. But he cannot call to mind
that the presidents name was ever men,
toned at that talk, which was merely a
conversational exchange Of views. No
appreciable loss of time occurred, how
over, as he acquainted Lord Salisbury
with the proposal by mail, and received
prompt answer by telegraph, which en-
abled him to inform Secretary Blaine,
April 20, that his lordship was disposed To
consider the proposal fayorably. The
writer continues:
At an interview at your residence you ex-
pressed satisfaction at Lord salisbury's reply,
and stated that before taking further steps yon
desired to communicate by telegraph with the
president. At further interview at your resi-
dence, on the 9th, you informed me that the
president desired that the modus vivendi
should contain reservation of the right
TO kill a certain number OF seals for
support of the natives, etc. At first
sight this reservation caused me some disap-
pointment 1t certainly appeared open to ex-
ception as detracting from the principle OF
equity. which was feature of the original pro-
posaL was concerned at your stating that il
was never the intention of the president or
yourself that the modus vivendi would be put
In force until the arbitration terms were
settled. This 1 feared would prevent
timely application OF the modus yivendi, and
/ notice with satisfaction that no such condi.
ton is affixed to your present proposal, although
the reservation as to the killing of a limited
number of seals is maintained. / am glad to
think there 10 yet time to carry out for this
son any arrangement which may be promptly
agreed to.
On May 30 Acting-Secretary Adee ad-
dressed personal note to the British min
lister, requesting reply from her majesty's
government. On May % he sent another
note to the same officer, saying he was
anxious for an early response. He added:
The situation calls for prompt action. A
large fleet of Canadian sealers have been for
some weeks or months on the seas. They are
daily going further out Of reach. The revenue
cutters have awaited definite orders. Their
presence is urgently needed in Bering sea, and
any further delay tends to defeat the very pur-
pose for which the agreement is sought 1t IL
quite incompatible with fairness and justice 10
our citizens that this should be permitted
to continue. Ample opportunity has
been afforded her majestys government
to bring this condition to a close
by an effective agreement, but the result Is
still uncertain, and, TO all appearances, remote.
The president would be glad to know 1t ia near
at hand and certain, but he can no longer hold
back in furtheEance OF a vague hope TO the det-
riment of the Legitimate interests of the govern
ment and citizens OF the United States. I am
therefore directed by the president TO inform
you that orders have been given to the reyenns
steamer Rush to proceed to the seal
islands. Another revenue cutter, the
Corwin, is at San Francisco, nearly
ready TO sail, and win very shortly put to sea.
Should an agreement be reached before her de-
parture, appropriate orders will be sent by her
to the islands / mention this in order that you
NAV comprehend fully that this government de-
sires TO effect an arrangement for this season,
and that you may realize how much a days de-
lay lessons the ability of her maiesty's govern
ment to effectively cooperate with regard to
British subjects and tends to destroy the prac-
ticsbility of an agreement to limit the seal
catch.
On May 27 Sir Julian replied to Mr..
Adee that he had communicated the lat