St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-11-11
BEHRINC SEA RIGHTS.
Uncle Sam and John Bull
Agree to Arbitration in
the Matter.
Solicitor General Taft Gives
Out the Secret During His
Speech.
Text of the Arguments in the
Sayward Case by Legal
Big Guns.
Corn and Potatoes Plentiful
and Good--Figupes on
Coinage.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1O.-The public
was taken into the confidence of the
diplomatic branch of the government
this afternoon IN the continuation of
the hearing begun yesterday before the
United States supreme court in the case
of the Canadian sea er w. Z. Sayward,
seized for illegal sealing in Behring sea,
and the first announcement made
that the prolonged diplomatic
correspondence between Secretary
Blaine and Lord Salisbury had
resulted in an agreement by which,
with the consent of the SEN
ate, the lOng-pendiDg dispute over the
seal fisheries in Behring sea will be
definitely settled. SolicitorsGeneral Taft,
who was addressing the court, made the
first intimation that the correspondence
between the two countries had reached
point where they had
Agreed TO Arbitrate
He stopped at this point, and, when
Justice Gray desired some more eX-
plicit statement as to whether an agree
ment upon arbitration had been actually
reached, the solicitor general heStated
to reply, and intimated that perhaps he
had revealed more than he mot being a
cabinet officer, and being authorized to
speak only on legal questiOns) should
have done.
1hereupon Attorney General Miller
himself interpOsed. and not only sub
stantiated all that the solicitor general
had said, but went further and an
nounced that the government had eff
fected an arrangement. This was really
the first announcement made of the
CT of nf hn put.1 iofs
since the last spOndence was made
public showing a difference of opinion
between the two governments on the
points of arbitration. 1t was surprising
that the news should first come out in
an argument i'll court, and the attorney
general was asked after adjournment if
he would throw some light on the sub
ject. r.
at is true that an agreement upon
arbitration has been reached" he said.
The matter has been settled between
the two government; that is, subject to
ratification by the senate"
What are the points of arbitration"
81 cannot say any more than | said in
court. Why don't you go to the state
department? You can state as q fact
that an agreement has been conclud-
ed"
Solicitor General Taft was next seen,
but would only confirm what the att0r-
ney general had said. I'm the last cor
respOndence, you know" he said.
There was simply difference between
the two governments as to the points OF
arbitration. Well, the correspondence
since then has resulted in treaty which
now only needs to be ratified by the
senate"
Taft Positive. Blaine Silent.
The reporter suggested that it was
something unusual to hear the an
nouncement of such important news in
an argument in court. but it's
fact" was the response, laughingly, but
positively given.
Secretary Blaine positively declined
to make any statement touching the
matter. The Inference drawn from the
developments to-day Including the
statement made by the attorney general
as above stated is that the president
will submit to the senate an agreement
in the nature of treaty between the
United States and Great Britain, by
which the parties bind themselves to ac-
cept as final and conclusive the defini-
ton to be given by arbitrator of the
exact rights of the United States in
Behring sea, as well as to pay any
awards of damages suffered by the
nation that is declared TO have had the
true contention.
1t is also presumed that arbitrator
have been selected, but none of the Off
cials seen would discuss the details of
the agreement. doubtless for the same
reason, that it has to be submitted to the
senate for ratification. and therefore
comes under the executive session rules
of the senate, which require secrecy to
be observed. The court room was well
filled with leading members of the bar
when the court opened this morning,
and Solicitor General Taft resumed his
argument. At its close Mr.. Choate, in
behalf OF Great Britain. addressed the
court.