The morning call., 1891-05-27
SENT AFTER SEALS.
The British POachers In the
Behring Sea.
The President and His Cabinet Discuss
the Subject.
Salisbury Breaks His Long SileRce-NO Sat-
lSfactOry Result Arrived At-The In
struetIOnS to the Revenue Cutters.
Special to THE MORNING CALI.

WASHINGTON, May 26-The Behring Sea
soon be settled. The question formed
topic of long discus sion this morning by the
President, Secretary Foster and Secretary
Tracy, in the course of which Captain Shep-
ard. Chief of the Revenue Marine Division,
and Chief Special Agent Tingle were called
upon to supply certain information in regard
to the seal fisheries. The question was sub
sequently considered at the regular Cabinet
meeting to-day at length, but no conclusion
was reached. Secretary Foster and the As
sistant Secretary of State will have spe-
cial conference with the President to-mor-
row with view of determining some plan
of action. The President fully appreciates the
necessity of prompt action in the matter
and is doing all in his power to arrange so
til at there may be no further delay in the
departure of the revenue cutters to the Behr-
ing Sea for the purpose of protecting the
interests of the United States.
If those vessels start now they would not
reach the fisheries until the middle of June
or fifteen days after the opening Of the sea-
son, and 1t is understood that ffty-nine
p0aching vessels are now in the vicinity of
the Behrimg Sea threatening pursuit and a
slaughter of seals. The North American
Commercial Company'S steamer left San
Francisco for the seal Islands about a week
ago and VIII probably arrive there by the
end of the month, when the employees of the
company will at once proceed to take seals
and continue TO do so until the entire num-
ber allowed by law is secured. unless some
order is received from the officials at Wash
ton to the contrary.
sALISBURYS SILENCE BROKEN.
NEW Y YoRK, May 26.-The Herald's Wash
ingtOn special says: Lord Salisbury at last
has broken his long silence in regard t0 the
BthTing Sea agreement, but he has not
broken it In a way which affords much re-
lief to the Administration. He has neither
accepted nor rejected Blaine's suggestion
that a closed season be agreed on, and that
the North American Fur Sealing Company
be allowed seals enough TO COMPENSATE them
for their expense at the seal islands. His
communication does not come in writing,
but is delivered by Sir Julian PauncefGte
the British Minister 10 the President. Sir
Julian said Salisbury was not Indifferent to
the Importance of the subject, nor is he
seeking needless delay. He hesitated be-
cause OF the StrCng opposition which was
developed all over British North America TO
q closed season.
Protests come, not only from the people in
British Columbia, but from those of Canada.
Lord Salisbury is greatly troubled by the
feeling in Canada which he does not wish
to atfront, although he says he would like to
reach an amicable agreement for a closed
season. He sent Sir Julian to the President
to make his position clear, and to show he Is
not Intentionally delaying action. but study
ing the question with view to its solution.
While the President and Cabinet are willing
TO accept the prCtestatlons Of Lord Salisbury
so far as the circumstances justify them,
they feel it is getting too late in the season to
paltnr