Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1891-06-18
NUMBER II.
THE BEHRING SEA-.
The Cabinet Considers Measures to-
Enforce the Treaty.
synopsis of the Correspondence by
Which the Negotiations We're
Finally Closed.
no PROTECT TIE SEALS.

TO PROTECT THE SEALS.
WASHINGTON, June 1.-THE Behring
sea question was further considered at
the cabinet meeting, with view to
taking such additional steps as may be
deemed necessary to enforce strict
compliance with the terms Of the agree
ment for a closed season.
WASHINGTON, June II -Behring sea
is now a closed sea to seal poachers.
President Harrison's proclamation is
sued Monday Is official notification to
all the world that the United States
and English governments will act
together AS some of the seal
poaehers sail under German colOrs
the Importance of warning off every
body is plain The modus vivendi leads
up to arbitration. Coincident with the
presidents proclamation instructions
go from the navy and the treasury
departments The president sent
letters To Secretary Tracy and
Secretary Foster calling their atten-
ton to the adoption of the modus
vivendi and directing them to CO.
operate with the British government in
policing the sea. The navy will be
represented by the warships Mohican
and Alert which are now at San Fran
cisco, and the treasury department by
the revenue cutters Bear, Corwin and
Rush. This fleet will rendezvous at
San Point, where the British vessels
will also rendezvous.
The correspondence between the
United States government and that of
- u 81,
sea negotiations since that already pub
lished, is made public 1t is very vol
luminous. A synopsis is as follows:
II begins with proposal by the British min.
lister for modus vivendi, In which Great
Britain and the United States shall jointly
agree 10 suspend the taking OF seals In
Behring sea uutil May next, except the 1900
seals which the United States had insisted
should be taken by the company having the
lease. Ii also provides that the British gov
ernment may send consuis TO visit the sealing
| islands, and closes by requirement. that I'M
less Russia shall agree TO the convention IL
hall not 90 into operation. This was sent June
3, being thirty days after Mr. biaine's definite
proposition OF May T. already published,
To this the acting secretary of state replies
that the president suggests that the agree
ment should only apply 10 the portion or
Behring sea lying west OF the line agreed upon
]
AM Great Britain. He declines, however, to
consent to the appointment Of consols by
Great Britain at the sealing Islands, but SAYS
in the event of an agreement with reference TO
arbitration the United States government will
extend reasonable facilities TO the government
OF Great Britain for investigation OF the
islands into any ports involved ia the oontro-
versy. He also objects TO tho clause by which
Russia is TO be made party To the agreement.
He closes with the request for prompt re
Spouse.
To this Lord Salisbury replies insisting that
the agreement should cover all the Behring
sea and that the agreement as to arbitration
should be made simultaneous with the modus
vivendi.
The acting secretary OF state replies that
! this government can not consent 10 the delay
which would be necessary to agree upon the
| details Of arbitration, as the modus Wv endi
should go into operation at once, but that IL
| in expectation that an agreement for arbitra-
tion win be reached. tine United States gov
ernment win permit the British govern ment
to send suitable persons to the seating Islands
this season
To this Lord Salisbury replies June s,
with !, new torn OF modus vivendi, which closes
with plan for the appointment of a commits.
sion TO examine and report what interna-
tional arrangements are necessary between the
United States, Great Britain and Russia for
the preservation Of tho far SEALS and that the
United states and Great Britain shall request
Russia 10 forbid her subjects taking seals east
OF the Inc Indicated in the plan outlined above
The state department replies regrett!ng that
new propositions are now brought ia and in.
sisting upon speedy termination Of the Eeg0.
tiatons.
The British minister replies on June 10 that
while there Is great reluctance on the part OF
Great Britain TO yield the points ii has named,
It will consent to 40 so If the United States
win consent to the appointment OF commits
sion 70 consider the protection Of the seal
species.
The secretary of state represents that the
United States government will agree 10 the
appointment OF such a committee simutane.
ously with the appointment Of committee OF
arbitration. mis- practically closed the nego
tiatiuns and IL was agreed on Saturday that the
modus viycudi should be signed ut the state
department Monday.