The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-06-02
FUR SKINS OF THE SEALS.
A BLUE BOOK GIVING THE LATEST
CORRESPONDENCE.

william henry Smith Moves Second
Reading of the Bill Now Before the
House of Commons-He Makes a
Friendly Speech and Is Followed by
Sir Harcourt and Mr.. Chamberlain.
LONDON. June IA blue book was pub
ltshed this afternoon giving the most recent
correspondence between Great Britain and
the United States touching the Bering sea
seal fisheries. The blue book opens with
telegram from Lord Salisbury to Sir Paunce-
fote, the British minister at Washington,
dated April II, expressing the approval of
Secretary Blaine's suggestions that there be
complete cessation Of seal catching pending
the award of the proposed board of arbitra-
tion.
THE LATER CABLEGRAMs.
Then follow cable dispatches from Sir
Pauncefote to Lord Salisbury, dated April
%, 28 and %, and May A, and 10, referring
to the modus vivendi aud informing Lord
Salisbury that Secretary Blaine preferred
that the proposal for close season should
come from Great Britain. The blue
book also gives Secretary Blaine's
dispatch OF May 4, detailing
the proposals and note of Sir
Pauncefote to Secretary Blaine of May 5.
In dispatch to Lord Salisbury of May go,
Sir Pauncefote says that President Harri-
son is anxious for a reply to Secretary
Blaine's last note, and in a dispatch Of NAV
70 says that the President is much concerned,
but cannot detain the cruisers. The blue
book ends with q cablegram from Lord
Salisbury to Sir Pauncefote dated May 2S.
saying that a bill had been introduced
in parliament TO give the queen authority
to forbid the killing of seals in Bering sea
by British subjects and declaring that the
British government could take no further
action in the matter until this bill had been
passed by parliament.
WILLIAM HENRY SMITHS STATEMENT.
The first lord of the treasury, William
Henry Smith, in the House of Commons to-
day moved that the Bering sea bill be read
the second time. Mr.. Smith said that the
bill dealt with a question of urgency and
was promoted with desire that arrange
ments of an amicable character should
be made 10 settle the disputes.
He was sure that all parties
would agree that it was better that the diff
ference be determined by friendly arbitra-
ton than by more barbarous methods.
[Hear, hear.1 There has been delay In sub
mitting the question to parliament, owing
partly to causes which those who had ex-
pertence in diplomatic negotiations would
understand and partly to the illness of the
Canadian premier, who had earned the
respect of everybody who had any kuowl-
edge of the services he had rendered to the
empire at large. [Cheers.l There would
be but one feeliug-that of sorrow-that q
life so valuable seemed about to end. [Hear,
hearll
CANADA's CONSENT.
The consent of the Dominion government
was subject to certain conditions, which
appeared to be reasonable, one being that
ships fitted out under the British flag for
lawful fishing in Bering sea be compensated
for loss during the period Of prohibition.
Under the bill sealing is prohibited
simply within BerinR ssa. The effect
will be greatly diminished
catch Of seals aud great rise in the price
of skius obtained south of Bering sea- The
prohibition will continue until 1892, within
which time it was expected that the arbi-
traitors would make an award. 1t was not
proposed that an order be issued
unless Russia also consented to the
entire prohibition within Bering sea.
Compensation would depend upon the actual
loss ship owners sustained, taking into &C.
count the increased value Of the fisheries
outside Of Bering sea, that could only he
ascertained by comparison, and the arrange
ments for which were as yet incomplete.
There was every reason to hope for the CO.
operation Of Canada in making the neces>
sary regula ations. [Hear, hearl
A FRIENDLY ACT.
He did not urge the House to accept the
bill on the ground of absolute right or of
absolute Justice, but as friendly act to a
friendly power. He hoped course would
be adopted that would lead to settlement
of the question that had given concern to
successive governments for long time
past. He was sure that, as in the case of
the North sea convention, the House would
gladly concur in the arrangements neces-
sary for such purpose. [Cheers.l
SIR HARCoURr INDoRsEs.
Sir William Vernon Harcourt agreed
with Mr.. Smith that serious misunder-
standing between England and the United
States would be a great calamity. The
government would always receive the sup
port Of the opposition in referring interna-
tional questions to arbitration. The Ber-
ing sea dispute seemed above all others to
be one lending itself to arbi-
tration. therefore he had nothing
satisfaction with the course adopted. 1t
was satisfactory to find Canada party to
the arrangement. This was essential He
would not enter into details of subordinate
Importance. He desired to associate him.
self with the language of Mr.. Smith in re-
gard 70 Sir John Macdonald.
Staveley Hill conservative approved the
arrangement embraced in the bill, although
he thought the close time for seals ought,
from Oct. to June 30, to prevail outside
OF Bering sea as well as within.
CHAMBERLAIN PLEASED.
Mr.. Chamberlain said he heard with great
satisfaction the arrangement obtained from
the United States. Mr.. Smith had only
referred to the assent Of Russia for a close
time. He understood that the German flag
also had been seen In Bering sea. He hoped
the government would ascertain what was
the position Of the maritime nations toward
the question. He wanted to know whether
the subjects for arbitration were agreed
upon with the United States, and whether
that power had withdrawn its startling
claims to almost exclusive possession of
BeriDg sea. Would arbitration be confined
to precautions to preserve the sealsl
George Osborne Morgan, Sir George
Campbell, Sir George Baden Powell and
Mr.. Bryce approved the issue Of the nego-
tiations.
THE UNDER sECRETARY's ST ATEMENT.
Sir James Ferguson, under foreign secre-
tary, said that the government had every
reasor to be satisfied with the Houses re-
ception of the bill. They might be well
assured when Canada assented to the ar
rangement. Arbitration would be con-
cerned not only with the respective rights
Enoio0d the TInftaa Gfafao and Na.ada