The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1892-03-24
IN SECRET SESSION
The Reply to Salisbury Re.
CeiVed by the Senate.
MR.. SHERMAN URGES SECRECY
President Harrison Uses Plain Language
to England's Premier

Behring Sea VIII BE PoIiced for the Pro-
lection of the scals-The President In
sists Upon IL Renewal of the NIodns
viveudi Pending ArbItration-The Unit
ted States win Not Abate its Claim to
Jurisdictiou in Behring sea.
WASHINGTON, March "a. 49, President
Harrison sent to the Senate copies of
Lord Salisbury's latest note and of his
own reply, which was cabled to London
Tuesday. In transmitting these notes,
which place the entire correspondence re-
lating to Behring Sea up to date in the
possession of the Senate, the President
made no recommendation or suggestion.
The text Of his reply is in itself fully in
dicative of the wishes of the administra-
ton. The Senate, Immediately upon
the receipt of this correspondence, went
into executive session and continued be-
hind closed doors for an hour, when the
correspondence was referr d to the Com
mittee on Foreign Relations, which al
ready has bofare it the proposed arbitra-
ton treaty
The greatest secrecy is maintained at
the Capitol upon the entire subject of
the Behring Sea negotiations. The ac-
curacy with which the evasive and un-
satisfactory character of Salisbury's
note, and of the vigorous and patriotic
tone of the Presidents reply, were stated
in these dispatches, caused considerable
annoyance to members of the committee
on Foreign Relations.
1t is said that in the executive session
yesterday Senator Sherman, the chair
mad of that committee, spoke at some
length upon the Importance in view of
the critical stage which the correspond
ence with Great Britain had reached, of
preserving the strictest silence until the
time should arrive for publishing the full
correspondence. Senator Sherman pointed
out that as Salisburys action was un-
doubtedly guided to some extent by
motives connected with the domestic
policies of Great Britain, indiscreet
newspaper comment might have an un-
fortunate effect, especially if based upon
information bearing evidence of accuracy.
The rejoinder of the President plainly
informs Salisbury in language which,
though, diplomatic, cannot be misunder
Stood that his equivocations are not
consistent with that frankness which
this Government has a righJ to expect
faith. The President, as was also an
ticipated, insists upon renewal of the
modus vivendi pending arbitration; de-
clares that the United States, in advance
of arbitration, will not abate its claim to
jurisdiction in Behring Sea, and con-
pcludes with stirring paragraph which
declares that this Government will pre-
vent the destruction of the seals, even
though it require the use of military
force.
This can only be interpreted as mean
ing that the President intends to police
Behring Sea, If it takes half of the navy,
as we'll as the revenue cutters now in the
Pacific, to do it, This would not neces-
sarily result in hostilities, unless Great
Britain should send fleet to Behring
Sea to oppose the seizure of the Canadian
poachers.
The reading of Salisbury's evasive note
containing several other unsatisfactory
propositions than renewal of the modus
vivendi was received in the Senate with
marked irritation. The pungeut and
stirring reply of the President was re-
ceived with marked approval on both
sides of the chamber,