The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-11-11

WASHINGTON, d. c., Nov. 1o.-[Spe-
| cial The public was taken into the
confidence of tho diplomatic branch of
the Government this afternoon in the
continuation of tho bearing begun yes
terday before tho Supreme Court on the
cass OF the Canadian sailor, w P Say
ward, seized for illegal sealing in the
Beying 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 Senate, tho long pending
dispute ever tho seal fisheries in
Bering sea will be definitely settled.
Solicitor General Taft, who was adj
dressing the court, made the first init
nation that the correspondence between
the two countries had reached point
OF an agreement upon arbitration. He
stopped at this point, and when Justice.
Gray desired some more explicit state
ment as to whether an agreement upon
arbitration had been actually reached,
tho solicitor general hesitated to replv
and lntimated that perhaps he had re-
vealcd more than he mot being cabinet
officer, and being authorized to speak
only on legal Questions) should have
done.
Thereupon Acknowledgement Miller
himself interPosed, and not only sub
stantiated all shat the solicitor-generaI
had said, but went further and an
nonnccd that the Government had
effected an agreement. This was prac-
tically the first announcement made as
to the progress OF the Boring sea
negotiations since the last correspon-
dence was made public, showing the
difference OF opinion between tho two
governments. 1t was surprising that
news should como out in argument in
court, and, tho Attorney General was
asked after Adjournment, if he would
throw some light on the subject.
1T is true that an agreement upon
arbitration has been reached" he said.
YES" he added, "the matter has been
settled between the two governments.
that is subject to ratification by the
Senate"
What arc the points Of arbitration?"
II cannot say any more than said in
court. Why don't you 60 to tho State
Department? Yes you can state as u
fact that an agreement has been con-
cluded."
SolicitorG General Taft was next seen,
but would only confirm what the At
torney-General had said. sin tho last
correspondence, you know" said he,
there was simply difference between
the two governments as to the point of
arbitration. Wolf, the correspondence
since then has resulted in treaty.
which now only needs to DO ratified by
the Senate
Tho reporter suggested that it was
something unusual to hear tho an
nouncement of such important news in
argument in court. ''But it is O fact"
was the response, laughingly, but posi-
lively given.
The very significant remarks II ado by
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Miller and Solicitor
General TAFT in the course of argu-
ments upon tho Sayward case before the
Supreme court to-day, were brought to
the attention Of Secretary Blaine. but
the secretary positively declined to
make any statement touching the
matter Other officers of tho State
Department were either ignorant Of the
progress OF negotiations or refused to
say anything upon the subject.
rho Inference drawn from develop
ments to-day 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
accept as final and conclusive, the
definition to be given by arbitrators of
tho exact right Of tho United States in
the Boring sea, as we'll as to pay any
awards OF damages suffered by the
nation that is declared to have held
true contention. 1t is also presumed
that arbitrators have been selected, but
none OF tho officials seen would discuss
the details of the agreement, doubtless
for tho reason that it has to DO sub
mitted to the Senate for ratification,
and therefore comes under executive
session rules OF the Senate, which re-
quire secrecy to be observed.
The manner in which news of a prao-
tical conclusion Of this controversy was
first made public recalls the first news
the public had of another diplomatic
event. viz: the recall OF Minister Miz-
ner from Mexico, when, for the first
time in years, q Presidential message
contained piece of live-"news" and
made the announcement that Miner
had been summoned homo.
The East Tennessee Dividend.