Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-03-05

The Boring sea situation today Is regarded as
critical In the extreme. The action OF Presi-
dent Harrison in shortening his stay down the
river Is looked upon evidence tsat he real
ICES that the question has reached an important
crisis and that firm stand must be taken i'm
medistely.
But little else is talked OF around the State
Department today and there is no denying the
fact that the turn the matter has taken within
the past few days is causing a good deal Of con-
Germ No one seems willing to predict what
the outcome of the negotiations will be.
The action of Lord Salis bury in approving
OF the treaty of arbitration. but coupling il
with ms refusal TO agree TO renewal of the
modus yivendi. Is regarded as arrogant and
insulting and has given rise TO an immense
amount OF harsh criticism.
ISsISCERs AND THRILLING.
His suggestion that the seal fisheries should
be closed within thirty miles of the Pribylov
Islands is regarded as insincere and triaIng
especially as he makes the restriction that the
United States shall Only tahc 80 O0o seals within
that belt. which Great Britain tacItiy admits
belongs to tie United States.
AN ABSURD PROPOSITION.
II is generally regarded that to submit the
whole matter TO arbitration and leave the sea
entirely open to fishers for a whole season
would be absurd on the face of it, inasmuch as
by the time the question came to be settled
there would be literally nothing left
to srbitrate for the reason that there would be
no seals eGtant An open season as proposed.
II is thought. would mean the utter annlhila-
ton OF the species. Last year the catch OF fur
seals. under the provisions 81 The modus
vivendi and at time when the watt g were rs
well poiiced as they could be. amounted 10 be-
tween &C. 900 aud NJ, 000
This was more than double the number taken
In any previous year.
The State Department is in receipt q iufor-
nation to the effect that a: least twice rs many
vessels are being fitted ont to
engage in the seal fisheries this year
as last 1t Ia agreed that II
there are to be anr seals lett concerted action
on the part OF Great britain and the United
States. or by the United States alone. must be
taken at once. With this fact IN view
Lord Sallsbury's procedure In submitting
lhe points IN controversy to com
permitting the seals to be destroyed with prac-
tical!y no restriction is looked upon as an
action IN anything but good faith.
ONE OFFICIALS VIEWS.
Appointment official, speaking of the matter
today to a reporter. said: For Lord salisbury
to propose arbitration Under such conditions is
very much like two men who are GUARDING
over the possession OF a SO note. One OF
them says to the other. YOU 60 ahead
ard decide which of us owns this bill. In the
meantime III go off and spend i. and when
come back you can tell me he result OF your
deliberations. That's Just about the way the
whole matter looks 10 MT just now
TIE JOINT COMMISSION.
The joint commission on the Boring sea
seal fisheries yesterday signed a Joint re-
port emDodying statement OF facts as to
all points connected with the sealing in
dus:ry on Which there Is no dispute. No
agreement WAS reached on the main cues
ton at issue, as TO whether or not closed
season and prohibition Of pelagic sealing are
essential for the preservation of the seal spc-
cles. The representatives of the United States
advocated policy OF this kind for a limited
period and the representatives OF Great Britain
opposed it.
1t is by no means an easy matter to predict
what the next move OF this government in
this matter will be. The return OF the Presi.
dent LIS awaited with a great deal Of interest.
and II Is probable that special meeting of the
cabinet will be held on Monday TO consider the
situation.
THE NEXT PHASE UNCERTAIN.
The next phase in the situation is looked
forward to with good deal of anxiety and no
one seems to know who will take the next step.
The treaty, which was signed by Secretary
Blaine and Sir Julian Pauncfote last Monday,
will probably be sent up to Congress some time
early next week, with view TO having the
whole matter settled as soon Is possible.
THE BRITISH VIEW.
As STAR reporter was informed today 1t is
not regarded, from the British point
of view, as at all probable that the
United States will seize any sealers during
this coming season. but if any are seized the
least of probabilities is that it would lead to a
serious international complication. with hos
Utilities as possibility. What the British repre-
sentatives expect is TO make such a case before
the Alaska court, if any seizures are made
will be free from the technical defects m
the Sayward case and to get it at once before
the Supreme Court They are really DESTROYS
of an opportunity to get a technically perfect
case involving this question before the Supreme
Court