The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-05-30
TO SAVE THE FUR SEALS.
PARLIAMENT IN TaE DARK ABOUT
THE AGREEMENT.

"
The Authorities st Washington Re-
Quested to Allow The British Minis
ters to Make Fuller etatement-No
Changes in the Orders Previously
Given TO the Revenue Cutters on the
Pacific Coast.
LONDON, May 60 William Henry Smith,
hrst lord Of the treasury, to-day introduced
in the House OF Commons q bill prepared
by the government prohibiting British sub
1eets from catching seals in Bering sea for a
certain period. The duration OF time during
which seals cannot be captured. Is not,
however, given in the bill.
Mr.. Brice asked II the government, in
view Of the second reading Of the Bering
sea bill being fixed for Monday. would dis
tribute the latest papers with reference to
the negotiations with tho United States.
Mr.. Smith said that the government
would do NO IL the United States govern
ment assented. He added that the govern
ment had cabled to Washington asking the
assent of the United States government.
THE HOUSE DISAPPOINTED.
copyrighted. 1891. by the Ne'o York Assocfased
Rressl
LONDON, May "A measure of the im-
portance OF the BerinG sea bill is rarely read
the first time In the House Of Commons
without ministers affording the House fuller
particulars than they vouchsafed to- day re-
garding tts provisions. The members list
ened with strained attention to Mr.. Smith.
expecting 10 learn the terms Of the agree
ment with the Washington government, aud
great was their disappointment when he
stopped short after uttering a formal re-
quest for permission to bring in q bill TO
enable the queen, by an order in council, to
make special prvoision TO prohibit the catch
ing Of seals in Bering sea by her majesty's
subjects during the period named in order.
NO FACTS oBTAINABLE.
Questions put to the ministers In the
lobby elected nothing beyond the statement
that they are waiting final responses from
Washington. Mr.. Smith has only vouch-
safed assurance that the arrangement
already secured harmonixes the action
OF the British government with that
OF the American government. Other
ministerial members express themselves
as certain that the measure will meet with
no adverse criticism either Ia the House or
In the country, and that IL will lead to the
permanent settlement of the dispute
Though the period Of prohibition is un-
derstood TO be one year, the elastic
hGeuED VI hu OEuoT IN COUNCIL
will empower the governmenf 30 make a
further extension. So many members were
discussing the situation In the Hobbies aud
In the smoking room that the House could
not proceed with business, and It was
counted out early in the evening.
ORDERS OF THE CUTTERS
WASHINGTON, May 29.--It does not APP
pear that any change in the orders 20 re-
venue cutters has followed the action of the
British government in introducing bill 10
prevent British subjects from taking seals
in Bering sea. The Bear 10 to sail to-
morrow from San Francisco to Alaska ports
under the orders sent last week.
The cutter Corwin, however, Is In
readiness In case Of need to hurry after the
cutters in Alaskan waters with supple
mentary and qualifying orders The subject
was not referred TO at to-day's cabinet
meeting, and there is reason TO believe that
this government is waiting upon the action
Of the British parliament before proceeding
further.
MORE VESSELS MAY BE NEEDED.
It was stated to-day by person in au-
thority that In case of the completion of the
agreement with Great Britain it will prob
ably be necessary TO supplement- the force
of cutters in Bering sea by some naval YES
sci, in view of the large number Of poaoAers
that are understood TO be in those waters or
ready to enter them. Moreover the cutters,
with their small number Of officers
and crews. have by past experience shown
their inability to take care of prizes after
their capture. There is no disposition to
repeat the past humiliating experience Of
placing prize crew Of one man aboard a
seized vessel only to have him carried Off TO
a foreign port. So it is possible that some
and perhaps all Of the naval vessels at the
Mare Island navy yard with their numerous
crews NAV be. sent north as soon after
the agreement is perfected by the
action of the British parliament as circum-
stances will permit. There are at that
navy yard the Alert. Mohican, Marion and
Thetis, the latter ship specially fitted out for
such service as she would be called upon to
render in northern waters. The Alert and
Mohican are ready for sea and the other
two might be put in condition for service In
a short time.