The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-05-29
ENGLAND AND TIE SEALS.
A Bill to Prohibit British Subiec
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A Bill to Prohibit British Subjects
From Catching Them.
LONDON, May 28-George Goschen, chan
cellor Of the exchequer, in the House of
Commons this afternoon gave notice that
the government would introduce a bill
Monday next which would enable the queen
TO prohibit British subjects from catching
seals in Boring sea for a period the extent
of which will be stated when the bill is
brought forward.
HARRISON NOTIFIED.
WASHINGTON, May IS - The President
this afternoon received a cipher dispatch
from Minister Lincoln at London, saving
that official notice had been given in the
House of Commons that a bill would be in
troduced on Monday to authorize the queen
to prohibit British subjects from taking
seals in Boring sea.
CONFERENCES HELD.
The question engaged the Presidents
principal attention to-day and he had q
conference at different times on its various
phases with Secretary Foster, Secretary
Tracy and Secretary Proctor and Acting
Secretary of State Wharton. One point con-
sidered was the advisability of sending war
vessels to Boring sea to reinforce the reve-
nue. cutters in preventing the taking of
seals IN case closed season is decided upon
This fleet would, of course, cooperate with
the English warships now in those waters
in the enforcement of the agreement as
concluded. 1t is understood that the Sec
rotary of the Navy reported that there are
three naval vessels that could be prepared
for this service without much delay.
THE NEWS WE'LL RECEIVED.
The news of Mr.. Goschen's action was re-
ceived with satisfaction at the state depart
ment. Generally it is taken as an tndica-
hat Rvtfi
preparing to accept the condition imposed
by the President as preliminary to arbitra-
ton and cause British vessels to refrain
from sealing meantime. The fixed
period fer cessation of sealing
referred to by Mr.. Goscheu probably means
the remainder of this season for it is to be
presumed that the British Governments
action carries with it an acceptance of the
terms of arbitration held out by the Presi-
dent during the correspondence), will leave
an opportunity TO reach an agreement.
AN EXPERT COMMISSION
In the event that the point of arbitration
is not reached it may be that some time
will be consumed in sending an expert COM
mission TO Alaska to investigate the actual
condition of the rookeries and settle the
question which is still at issue between the
governments of Great Britain and the
United States as to whether what is known
as ''pelagic sealing or killing seals in the
open seas on their way to and from the shore
rookeries, is really as destructive
to seal life as has been reported by the
United States treasury agents. Early In
the correspondence on the subject, when
Secretary Blaine sugg ested to Lord Sails
bury that the British government keep the
sealing vessels of it's subjects out Of Alaskan
waters, Lord Salisbury replied that this
could be done only by an act In council or
through parliament.
TIME NOT TO BE WASTED.
Lest 1t might be believed, from knowl-
edge Of the tedious and protracted course
OF legislation In this country, that the act 20
be introduced by the British government
may not receive action in time 30 affect the
the operations Of sealers during the present
season, u may be stated that Ia the British
parliament a measure Of this character il Of
high privilege. takos its place above other
measures introduced Ia any other manner,
and is almost sure 70 receive speedy action.