, 1891-11-11

ArbitratIons with J.. Bull Reached.
WAsHINGToN, Nov. l0.-The public
was taken into the confidence of the
diplomatic branch of the government this
afternoon in continuation OF the hearing
in the Sayward case and the first an
nouncement was made that the prolonged
diplomatic correspondence between Secre-,
tary Blaine and Lord Salisbury had re-
suited in an agreement by which, with the
consent of the senate. the long pending
dispute over the seal fisheries in Boring
sea would be definitely settled. Solicitor
General Taft, who was addressing the
court, made the first intination that the
correspondence between the W countries
had reached a point of agreement upon
arbitration. He stopped at this point and
when j ustice Gray desired some more
explicit statement. as to whether agree
ment upon arbitration had been actually
reached, the solicitor general hesitated to
reply and intimated that perhaps he had
revealed more than he, mot being a
cabinet officer. and being authorized to
speak only on legal questions). should
have done.
T%hereupon Attorney General Miller
himself interposed aud not only substan-
tiated all the solicitor general had said
but vent further and announced that the
government had effected an agreement.
This was practically the first announce
men made as to the progress OF the
Bering sea negotiations since the last cor
~respondence was made public, showing
the difference of opinion between the two
governments as to the points OF arbitra-
ton. 1t was surprising that the news
should first come out in argument in court.
The attorney general was asked after
adjournment if he would throw some
light on the subject.
1T Is true an agreement on arbitration
has been reached" he SAID. Yes" he
added. the matter has been settled be-
tween the two governments; that is, sub
ject to ratification by the senate. What
are the points OF arbItration2" II cannot
say any more than | said in court. Why
don't you go to state department. Yes.
you can state as a fact that the agreement
has been concluded"
Solicitor General Taft was next seen,
but would unly confirm what the attorney
general had said. In the last CORE
spondence, you know" he said, there
WIS siunpl u ulleTtOCe OeJWeen inc TWO
governments as TO the points of arbitra-
ticn. Well, correspondence since then
has resulted in a treaty, which now only
needs to be ratified by the senate" The
reporter suggested it was something un-
usual to hear the announcement of such
important new in argument In court.
But it's a fact" was the response.
Secretary Blaine positively declined TO
make auv statement touching the matter.
The inference to be drawn from the devel.
opments today Gncludiug the statement
made by the attorney general to a repre-
sentative of the Associated Press, as
shown above,) is that the president will
submit to the senate an agreement in the
Dature of a treaty between the United
States and Great Britain by which both
parties bind themselves to accept as final
and conclusive the definition to be given
by the arbitrator of the exact rights of
the United States in Behring sea, as well
as to pay any awards of damages suffered
by the nation declared to have had a true
Contention. 1t is also presumed that the
arbitrators rave been selected but lone OF
the officials seen would discuss the the de.
tails of the agreement, doubtless for the
reason that it has been submitted to the
senate for ratification and therefore
comes usder the executive session rules OIL
the a which require secrecy to be
observed.
When Solicitor General Taft finished
his argument, Mr.. Choate. in behalf OF
Great Britain, addressed the court.