New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-05-29
FOR SAVING THE SEALS.
AN IMPORTANT BILL TO BE INTRODUCED
IN PARLIAMENT TO-DAY.
RESIGNED TO PROHIBIT BRITISH SUBJECTS
FROM CATCHING SEALS IN BEHRING SEA
FOR 4 CERTAIN PENoD-THE PREsI-
DENT CoNFERs WITH CABINET
OFFICERS on THE MATTER.


London. MAY 2s.-Mr Goschen, Chancellor Of
che Exchequer, in the House of Commons thls
afternoon gave notice that the Government woclu
tomorrow introduce bill which would enable
The Queen 10 prohibit British subjects from
catching seals in Behring Sea for period the
extent of which will be stated when the bill is
brought forward.
Washington May 2s-The President this AFTER
noon received a cipher dispatch from Minister
Lincoln, at London, saying that official notice
had been given in the House of Commons that
bill would be introduced tomorrow TO authorize
the Queen to prohibit British subjects from taking
seals in Behrng Sea. The question engaged the
Presidents principal attention today and he had
conferences at different times on its various
phases with Secretary Foster, Secretary Tracy Sec
rotary Proctor and Acting Secretary Wharton Ohe
point considered the advisability of sending
war vessels to Behring Sea to reinforce the rev.
efue cutters in preventing the taking of seals In
case a closed season is decided upon
This feet would of course cooperate with the
English warships now in those waters in the en-
forcement of the agreement as concluded. 1t is
understood that the Secretary of the Navy reported
that there are three naval vessels that could DE
prepared for this service without much delay
The news of Mr. Goschen's action was received
with satisfaction at the State Department Cen
orally il is taken indication that the British
Government is preparing to accept the condluoh
imposed by the President as a preliminary to aroi-
tration and to cause the British vessels to refrain
from sealing meantime
The fixed period for the cessation Of sealing re-
ferred to by Mr.. Goschen, probably means the
remainder of this season. During this time the
urbitrators for it is to lie presumed that the Brit
ish Governments action carries with it an ac-
Of hold ont nv
The President during the correspondence will have
an opportunity to reach an agreement In case
the point of arbitration is not reached,
it may be that the same time will
be consumed in sending an expert COM
mission to Alaska to investigate the actual
condition of the rooeries, and settle the question,
which is still at issue between the Governments OF
Great Britain and the United States, whether or
not what is known as "pelaeic sealing" or killing
seal in the open on their way 10 and from
the shore rookeries, is really as destructive Of
seal life as has been reported by the United States
Treasury agents.
Early in the correspondence on the subject, when
Secretary Blaine suggested to Lord Salisbury that
the British Government keep the sealing vessels
of its subjects out of Alaskan waters, Lord Sails
bury replied that this could be done only by
an act in Council or through Parliament
Lest il might be believed, from knowledge OF
the tedious and pr0tracted course OF leSsiatlon
In this country, that the act TO be introduced by
the British Government may not receive action
in time to affect the operations of the sealers
during the present season, il may be said that IN
the British Parliament measure OF this charac-
ter is Of high privilege, takes its place above
other measures introduced in any other manner
and is almost sure to have speedy action.
Although 1t is the belief of officers of the State
and Treasury Departments that sufficient time yet
remains in which TO pass an act of Parliament and
efYectuay put into operation close season,
contrary opinion is taken of the situation by some
other persons, who say that the effort now being
based on Canadian opposition and the posi-
bility that Canadian influence may be
strong enough to DELAY Parliamentary
action notwithstanding Lord Salisbury's desire
for a close season." II is understood that Lord
Salisbury himself through Sir Julian Pauncefote,
has expressed TO this Government doubt as to
his ability TO prevent operations by sealing YES
sells already fitted out and in Behring Sea pre-
pared for work
An act of Parliament would silence Canadian
opposition effectually than an order issued
by Lord Salisbury; but, as time is the great ele-
ment in the case. short delay in Parliament
would be sufficient to give the seaers opportunity
10 take large number of skins before they could
he officially ordered not TO do so The North Amerl-
can Commercial Company also has its preparations
made to take seals. and will endeavor to take as
many possible soon as the drive" OF the
seals begins that. unless both the United
States and Great Britain act with extraordinary
promptness, il is sad the " close season" can be
at best only partial, instead Of total, and this
condition Of things NAV lead to litigation with
the North American Sealing Company, which
asserts certain vested contract rights in the matter