Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1891-06-06
MORE ABOUT THE SEALS.
Correspondence Between Mr.. Blaine
and Sir Julian Pauncefote.
Till Parliament Acts on the Pend
ing BilI--BIue Book Published,

England Can't Make Definite Answer
Till Parliament Acts on the Pend
ing BiII--B1ue Book Published.
The l9ngdefefred correspondence relating
to the Behfing Sea controversy has been made
public, and it shows that this government has
all along been more anxious than the British
Government to establish close season and to
suspend the killing of seals until the whole
question can be settled by arbitration
After Secretary Blaine was taken i'll the
President assumed direct control of the sub
ject dut failed to obtain any reply from Lord
Salisbury to the proposal for a close season.
The indications are that the British Parlia.
ment will Immediately pass the pending bill
relating to the Behring Sea and that it will be
followed by an order to Canadian vessels to
stop the catching of SEALS also that the United
States will Immediately cooperate and employ
Its power TO maintain a close season. These
negotiations Will require some time and pend.
ing that it is estimated that not less than 800
0OO seals will be killed.
But officials of the Treasury and State de.
partments believe that arrangements will be
completed in time to stop such slaughter of
seals as has been dreaded.
The correspondence just made public
opens with a note from Secretary Blaine to
the British Minister, dated May 4, in which,
after long statement TO show the absolute
necessity for the taking of some seals by the
iessees of the islands to enable them to maintain
the natives as per agreement, the Secretary
proposes the following arrangement between
the two governments:
The Government of the United States limits
the number of seals to be killed on the islands
for purposes just described to 100.
The Government of the United States guar.
antees thas no seals shall be killed in the open
waters of the Behring Sea by any person on
any vessel sailing under the American flag, or
by any American citizen sailing under any
other flag.
The Government of Great Britain guaran-
tees that no seals shall be killed in the open
waters of the Behriug Sea Y any person on
any vessel sailing under the British flag, and
that no British subject shall engage in killing
seals for the time agreed upon on any vessel
sailing under any other flag.
These prohibitions shall continue until the
LIST day Of May, 1899, within which time the
arbitrator shall render final awards or awards
to both governments.
To this note Sir Julian Pauncefote replied
promptly the nextday that he had transmitted
the Secrctary's communication to Lord Sails
bury, and that he had no doubt the matter
would be attended to at once
On May 20, nothing more having been heard
from England, Acting Secretary Adee sent
personal note TO Sir Julian urging the import
ance of an immediate reply. This ELECTED no
response, and on the Goth Mr.. Adee again
wrote to the minister informing him that the
Rush had been ordered to the sealing islands
but that the Corwin would follow her later
and would carry appropriate orders to her
should the matter in question be arranged at
once.
To this Sir Julian replies on the 9th that
his government has been making all haste
possible, but has as yet been unable to make
any definite reply to Mr.. Blaine's proposal.
a Blue Book Published.
LONDON, ENG.-A blue book just published
gives the most recent correspondence between
Great Britain and the United States touching
the Behring Sea and fisheries.
The blue book opens with telegram from
Lord Salisbury to Sir Julian Pauncetote,
British Minister at Washington, dated April
II, expressing approval of Secretary Blane's
suggestion that there be complete cessation
Of seal catching pending the award OF the pro-
posed board of arbitration.
Then follow cable dispatches from Sir Julian
to Lord Salisbury, dated April %, % and 81,
and May 4, and 10, referring to the modus
vivendi and informing Lord Salisbury that
Secretary Blaine preferred that the proposal
for a hearing should come from Great Britain.
The blue book also gives Secretary Blaine's
dispatch Of May detailing the proposals and
the note of Minister Pauncefote to Secretary
Blaine of May 5. In dispatch to Lord Sails
bury of May 20 Minister Pauncefote says that
President Harrison is anxious for reply to
Secretary Blaines last note, and in dispatch
of May % says that the President is much con-
cerned but cannot detain the cruisers
The blue book ends with cable dispatch
from Lord Salisbury to Minister Pauncefotc,
dated May rs, saying that bill had been in
trOduced in Parliament to give the Queen
authority to forbid the killing of seals in
Behring Sea by British subjects, and declaring
that the British Government could take no
further action in the matter until this bill had
been passed by Parliament.