Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-06-04
BEHRING SEA BILL.
Debate in the British House Of
Commons.
THE BILL PASSES SECOND READING.
England Generously COmpensates Cana
dian sealers-FriendIy Regard For the
United States-Regrets at Macdon-
AIDS Fatal Sickness.

| LONDON, June First lord of the
treasury, William Henry Smith, in the
house of commons, moved that the
Behring bill be read a second time. He
said the bill dealt with question Of
urgency and was prompted with a de-
sire that arrangements Of an amlcaole
character should be made to settle .
dispute. He was sure that all parties
would agree that 1t was better that the
difference be determined by friendly
arbitration than by more barbarous
methods There had been a delay in
subrn 'tting the question to parliament
owiL., partly to causes which those
who had experience in diplomatic
negotiations should understand, and
/ partly to the illness Of the Canadian
premier, who had earned the respect OF
everybody who had any knowledge OF
| the services he had rendered to the en-
| pire at large. There would be but one
feelipg-that of sorrow that life was
so soon to end. The consent OF the
| Dominion government was subject to
certain conditions which appear ed to
be reasonable, one being that ships ht'
ted out under the British flag for law
ful fishing in Behring sea be compen'
sated for loss during the period of pro-
hibition. Under the bill sealing was
prohibited simply within Behring sea-
The effect would be a greatly dimtn'
ished catch of seals and great rise in
the price of skins obtained south Of
| Behring sea. The prohibition would
| continue until 1892, within which time
It was expected the arbitrators would
make an award. 1t was not proposed
that an order be issued unless Russia
also consented to entire prohibition
within Behring sea- Compensation
would depend upon the actual loss the
ship owners sustained. Taking into
account the increased value of fisheries
outside of Behring sea that could only
be ascertained by comparison, ar
rangemepts for which were yet incom-
plete. There wes every reason to hope
for the cooperation Of Canada in max
ing the necessary regulations.
Mr.. Smith said that 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 friend
ly power. He hoped a course would be
adopted that would lead to a settlement
of 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 arrangements
necessary for such purpose.
Sir William Vernon Harcourt agreed
with Mr.. Smith that a serious misun-
derstanding between England and the
United States would be great calam-
ity, The government would always re-
ceive the support of the opposition in
referring international questions to ar
bitration. The Behting sea dispute
seemed above all others to be one tend
ing itself to arbitration, therefore he
had nothing to say except to express
satisfaction with the course adopted.
1t was satisfactory to find Canada
party to the arrangement This was
essential The government could not
enter into the details of subordinate i'm
portance. He desired to associate him
self with the language of Mr.. Smith in
regard to Sir John Macdonald.
Mr.. Chamberlain said he heard with
great satisfaction the arrangement OBJ
tanned from the United States. Mr..
Smith had only referred to the assent of
Russia for close time. He understood
the German flag also had been seen in
in Behring sea. He hoped that the
government would ascertain the posi- |
ton of 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 claim to the almost |
exclusive possession of Behring |
sea- Would the arbitration be con-
fined to precautions to preserve the
seals? The question of compensation |
was of minor Importance. Still he could |
not help thinking that it was rather
hard that this should fall on the Brit
ish taxpayer. Any claims for compen-
sation ought to be closely watched, for
many vessels which it was proposed to
compensate were American and repre-
sented American interests which
worked against the United States gov
ernment under the American flag. No
compensation ought to be paid unless
clear proof was produced that the ves-
sells claiming compensation were really
Canadian vessels.
Mr.. George Osborne Morgan, Sir
George Campbell, Sir George Baden
Powell and Mr.. Bryce approved of the
issue of the negotiations.
Sir James Furguson, under foreign
secretary, said arbitration would be
not only with the respective
rights of England, the United States or
Canada in Behring sea, but also with
measures to preserve the seals. Over
lures had been made to Russia for the
fixing of close time. Although no
answer had as yet been received It was
shown that Russia some time ago was
favorable to such a measure. The
government assented with reluctance
to the United States proposal that 1900
seals be taken this year. The arrange
nents were temporary one for the re-
noval of the source of difficulty pend
ng arbitration The matters to be re-
'erred to arbitration were still the sub !
Iect of correspondence, but the govern
nents steadily approached points of ,
agreement
The bill was then read the second
lime.
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Perils of the Night.
SAN ANTONIO, Tex, June 2-Morris c
Scott was awakened ahouf o oyo1o.1- / Q