Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-05-29
A BERING-SEA BILL.
BRITAIN APPARENTLY TO ACCEPT
OUR CONDITIONS PREcEoENT'
Looking to Arbitration Of the seaieries
Dispute-Jhe Nows Affords Great
satisfaction at Washington
80 ..,A ,.,arican cnhlo % the pIspatch.l

rBy Auelo-American cable to the Dispatch.l
LoSpos, Exo., May 2s.--Mr. George
Goschen. Chancellor Of the E1chequer' IN
the House Of Commons this afternoon
oave notice that the Government wouio
introduce q bill on Monday next whicn
would enable the Queen 10 prohioit Drit'Sn
subjects from catching seals in the ber'n a.,
Sea for period the extent Of which VIII
be stated when the bill is brought ior-
ward.
THE NEWS OF GoscHES's ACTION IN WASHING
TON.
fBy telegraph 70 the Dispatch.l
WASHINGTON. MAY 28.-The President
this afternoon received cipher dispaicn
from Minister Lincoln at London sayihg
that official notice had been gwen IN tue
House OF Commons that Dill Woulu nc So
introduced on Monday to autnorlZe tne
Onoen TO prohibit British SUBJECTS from
taking seals in Boring Sea. The question
engaged the Presidents principal atten-
tion TODAY. and he had conferences at oiI-
ferent times on its various phases VIII VIII
Secretary Foster, Secretary Tracy, score
tary Proctor, and Acting-Secretery-oi-
State Wharton. ,,r,..
One point considered was the advisabiIlty
of sending war vessels 90 Bering Sea 10 re-
inforce the revenue cutters in preventing
the taking Of seals in case closed season
is decided upon. This fleet would, OF
course, cooperate with the English war
ships now in those waters IN the entoTce-
mont of the agreement as concluded. IL II
understood that the Secretary OF the Navy
reported that there are three naval Vessel9
that could DO prepared for TINS service
without much delay.
THE NEWS VERY SATISFACTORY.
| The news of Mr.. Goschen's action was
received with satisfaction ut the State De
| partment. Generally il is taken as an IN
| dication that the British Government i,
| preparinr TO accept the condition imposed
by the President as preliminary TO arbltra-
ton and TO cause the British vessels 70 re,
frain from sealing meantime; Inc nAe9
period for the cessation of sealing referred
10 bv Mr.. Goschen probably means the re-
mainder of this season. During this time
the arbitrator Gor it Is TO DO presumed
that the British Governments action car,
ries with il an acceptance of the terms OF
arbitration held out by the President
during the correspondence will have az
opportunity TO reach an agreement.
POSSIBLY A COMMISSION TO VISIT ALASKA.
In the event that the point Of arbitration
il not reached, it may be the same time
will be consumed in sending an expert
commission to Alaska TO investigate the ac'
tual condition Of the rookeries and settle
the question which is still ct issue between
the Governments of Great Britain and the
United States as TO whether what IS known
as "pelagic sealing" or killing seal in the
open sea on the way to and from the shore
Iookeries is really as destructive OF seal
life as has been reported by the United
States Treasury agent. Early in the CORE
spondence on the subject, when Secretary
blaine suggested TO Lord Salisbury tha'
the British Government keep the sealing
vessels of its subjects ont OF Alaskan
waters. Lord Salisbury replied that TIM
could be done only by an act in council o.
through Parliament.
SPEEDY ACTION on THE MEASURE PROBABLE
Lest il might be believed from a know
ledge of the tedious and protracted cours'
of legislation in this country that the ac'
to be introduced by the British Govern
ment may not receive action in, time to ar
feet the operations of the sealers durini
the present season, it may be stated tina
in the British Parliament a measure OF TIM
character is Of high privilege-takes IT.
place above other measures introduced II
any other manner--and is almost sure co re
ceive speedy action.