New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-09
THE BEHRING SEA BILL PASSED
GOING PROMPTLY THROUGH THE HOUSE
OF LORDS.
LORD sArIsnuRY,s srEBoH ON THE NECESSITY
FOR THE MEASURE RESTRICTING THE
DEsrRUCTIoN OF SEALS.


London June s-In the House Of Lords today Lord
Salisbury moved the second reading Of the bill 10 en-
able Her Majesty, by Order in Council TO make special
provision for prohibiting the catching OF seals in Behrng
Sea by her subjects during the period named In the
order speaking to his motion. Lord Salisbury said
that Behrlng sea measure intended to settle
differences between the United States and Canada
He wished, first, TO express his sympathy with the
deep grief felt both In Canada and in the United King
dom over the death of Sir John A. Macdonald. What
ever opinions might be politically entertained by the
various parties, there could not be doubt that the
great constitutional statesman, to whose efforts Canada
owed her present prosperity, and who had always
proved loyal devoted champion Of the interests
of his own country and of the British Empire piear
Heard
Continuing, Lord Salisbury said that the long pend
ing differences upon the claims Of tho United States
to stop the hunting of seals in Behng Sea had been
agreed upon In principle and referred 10 arbitration
He hoped the terms of arbitration also almost
agreed upon. There to apprehend that II
restrictions placed the destruction of seals
while the arbitration pending serious If not
fatal blow might be inflicted upon the valuable finish
ing industry in the United States. Therefore it had
been agreed 10 forbid the killing Of seals on islands In
those parts Of Behring Sea within their jurisdiction
provided Her Majcstys Government also prevented
seal-huntng by British subjects. 1t seemed to Her
Majestys Government that they would Justly incur
the not only of the United States but OF the
civilized world II they rsked the extinction Of this
valuable industry Therefore they had introduced the
present measure, which enabled Her Maiesty's Gov
ernment, by Order in Council TO forbid the killing
Of seals in Behring Sea by British subjects To this
Canada consented on two conditions First, that the
arbitration should proceed; secondly. that compensa
t1on be paid to the Of fishing vessels sustain
Ing loss through this action Of the British Govern
ment.
Who was to pay this compensation was a more
difficult question. Her Majestys Government did not
deny that If compensation had to be paid part should
fall upon England but they not inclined TO admit
that the whole should be borne by England. Whether
they would persuade the Canadian Government TO teke
part over he did not know, but 1t was impossible to
defer action until the difficulty was solved therefore
the Government had In the first instance assumed
liability which could not In any case be heavy II
the House were willing. It would be diplomatic and
convenient that the bill in every stage pass tonight
Lord Kimberley Q-iberaD desired fully to Necho
Lord Salsburys regrets at the loss sustained by Canada
and the empire in the death of Sir John Macdonald
The speaker had no criticism to offer against the blu
and expressed satisfaction that there was every pros
peot Of closing a long controversy with the United
States.
In response to an inquiry from Lord Dunraven, Lord
Salsoury said he believed that Russia was favorable
to the British views on the subject and would adhere
to the suspension of the slaying Of seals.
At the concllslon of the Prime Minister'S remarl1s
the bin read for the second sna the third time and
passed.