The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-06-16
THE BEKING SEA PAPERS.
Abstract Of Recent Correspondence Tha,
Led to Q Presid entail Proclamation.

Abstract Of Recent Correspondence That
Led to Presidential Proclamation.
WASHINGTON CITY, June 15.-The department
OF state this afternoon made public the latest
correspondence on the subject, beginning with
note June from Sir Julian Pauncefote in
reply to Secretary Blaines letter of May IA. Re-
plying to Blaine's proposition Sir Julian replied
with the amended draft of an agreement which
differs from the one signed today in covering, by
an interdict against killing, the whole of Bering
sea and its islands. 1t also provided for q
British consul at the islands this summer. and
that the convention should not come into opers-
ton unless Russis's assent was obtained.
In reply the president offered proposition
suggesting such changes would give to the
modus vivendi the same territory extent with
the pending proposals for arbitration, and so
that the stipulation for prohibition OF killing
upon the islands Of the United States might rest
upon its own orders, and that the obligations of
the respective governments to give prompt and
vigorous effect to the agreement might be more
clearly apparent. The president stated that no
British consular functions could be exercised
on the Bering sea islands, but reasonable facili-
ties might be extended Great Britain for inves-
tigation at the islands of any facts involved In
the controversy to be arbitrated The bringing
of Russia into the affair at this time would
prove simply prohibitive of agreement upon a
modus vivendi, and could not be granted by the
United States. The suggestion that either
power might arrest violators of the agreement,
De they British or American, is then made by
the president.
Relative to the bringing of Russia into the af
fair the president says that the fourth clause of
the proposal OF her majesty's government limit
ing the taking effect of the modus yiyendi upon
the assent of Russia, presents what seems to
the president to be insuperable difficulty. as
an adherence to that suggestion by
her majesty's government will, in his opin
ion, prevent the conclusion OF any agreement
and will inevitably cause such delay as to
thwart the purposes which he must suppose
both governments have had in view He ia sur-
prised that this result did not suggest itself 10
Lord Salisbury, and does not doubt that it will
be apparent to him on denomination. He con-
tinued:
am also directed to remindyou that the con.
tention between the United States and Great
Britain has been limited to that part of Rerino
sea eastward of the line OF demarcation do
scribed In our convention with Russia to which
Russia never asserted any rights in these
waters affecting the subject matter of this
contention, and cannot, therefore, be a necessary
party to these nominations, III they are NOT y,Ouy
Improperly expanded, under the statutes Of the
United States. The president is authorized IN
prohibit sealing in Bering sea within the limits
described In our convention with Russia, and
United States, but no authority Is Conferred
upon him to make penal the taking of seals in
the waters OF Bering sea westward of the
line referred to or upon any other shore
or the island thereof Ii was never snnnosed
by any one representing the government of the
United states in this correspondence or by the
president that the agreement for the modI,s
yivendi could be broader than the subject of
contention stated in the correspondence of the
respective governments Negotiations for arbi-
United States and Great Britain and
If these powers are competent 10
SETTLE by this friendly method, their rssnective
rights and relations in the disputed waters nron
permanent basis, it would seem to follow that
no question could arise as 10 their competency
to deal directly with the subject of the single
season. II Great Britain now insists upon
impossible conditions, viz: That the Conclusion
of the modus vivendi is 10 be delayed until and
made contingent on the consent of Russia to
stop the killing OF seals on its own islands and
in its own water, and upon the exercise by the
president of powers not conferred by law this
would, in his opinion, be a practical with
drawal OF Great Britain from the negotiations
for the modus yivendi.
On June Lord salisburys reply was received.
lie accepts the presidents suggestion az 70 the
arrest of poachers and turning them over to the
power to which they belong, but thinks Great
Britain should have a consul on the islands to
see that not moro than Z, 500 seals were taken.
This is regarded as indispensable, and in lien of
q consul, he asks that a British agent NAV he
specifically authorized 70 reside on the islands
Inc demand TO take Russia III ne Withdrew hlIt
urges that the interdict apply to all Bering sea.
and urges that the terms of arbitration be set.
tied simultaneously.
In reply, the president states that the limits-
tion of killing seals is absolutely within control
of the United States, as q daily count is made
by sworn officers. This government could not.
OF course, consent to any arrangement that inn
piled doubt OF its good faith OF involved foreign
supervision. The president, however, Is quite
willing 10 agree that England may send To the
islands, with view TO collecting the facts in
volved in arbitration of the questions. The
suggestions of this reply are then embodied by
the president in a proposition covering the
agreed points, and the presidents suggestions
as amendatory, the limit line of final agreement
being included and permission stipulated that
Great Britain may send suitable persons 10 the
islands for the purpose named This was cabIed
Two days later Lord Salisbury replied with q
counter proposition. adding to the agreement
for taking 800 seals these words: .'To be taken
on the shores and islands as food and skins, and
not for tax or shipment.
The president in reply declares this to be an
extraordinary proposal, and not clear one.
ssThis new condition" he says, sis entirely in
admissible, and inconsistent with the assent
already given by her majesty's government TO
the proposition OF the United States in that be-