The Portland daily press., 1892-03-25
YANKEE GRIT.
A Question Of Honor Not Of
PaItry Gain.
PRESIDENTS REPLY TO THE
BRITISH PREMIER.
Letter in Which He Declared Our
Rights Would Be Upheld.
RETALIATION AGAINST CANADA
PROPOSED BY SENATORS.

Abstract of the Recent Correspondence
Reports are Decidedly Disqieting-
British War Ships Said to be Under
Orders-Canada Held Responsible
Lord salisbury's Position Looks Ridicu-
Ious in the Light of the Presidents
Reply-He Has Remarkable Scheme
by Which We Would Take the Bonds
of Canadian Seal Poachers.
WASHINGTON, March 24.-The follow
ing is an abstract of the late correspond
ence between the United States and
Great Britain respecting the Behring sea
controversy, yesterday transmitted to the
Senate by the President On February
/, Sir Julian Pauncefote sent Mr.. Blaine
a note stating that, in his opinion, the
British commissioners were right in
holding that they had no power, under
the present mandate, to discuss the ques-
ton of modus vivendi for the next
fishery season; that their authority was
confined to reporting their views on
what fishery regulations of perma-
nent character might be necessary with
view to arbitration and that the ques-
ton of modus vivendi pending the re-
suit of the arbitration was one for the
two governments to discuss.
LORD SALISBURY'S REPLY.
On March 19,Sir Julian sent Mr.. Whar-
ton cablegram from Lord Salisbury,
saying: s'Lord Salisbury again points out
that the information in the possession OF
Her Majesty's government does not lead
them to believe that another years sus-
pension is necessary to prevent undue
diminution of the seal herds. His
Lordship proceeds to observe that be-
yond this the question is: It is considered
by your government that they have the
right to be protected from the loss they
may incur from sealing being permitted
this year, in the event of their claim to
Behring sea being upheld by the arbitra-
tors. He states that Her Majesty's gov
ernment do not dispute that after the
ratification of the convention, there will be
some foundation for this contention, but
adds that the prohibition Of all sealing
as remedy has this defect. The Brit
ish sealers excluded from Behring sea
would have ground of complaint if the
British claim should be upheld by the
arbitrators.
Serious Damage VIII Be Caused
to the industry by the suspension OF
sealing for long period. In view of all
the above considerations, it appears to
Her Majesty's government that it would
be more equitable to provide that sealing
in Behring sea shall continue on the con-
dition that the owner OF every sealing
vessel shall give security for satisfying
any damage the arbitrators may judge"
MIR. WHARTON TO SIR JULIAN
PAUNCEFORTE.
On March 22d, Mr.. Wharton replied to
this: 'The further protraction of this
discussion will make any modus vivendi
that may be agreed upon Intellectual to
protect the interests of the United States
and will give the Canadian sealers
practical ammunition by reason1of the
impossibility of communicating. to them
the agreed restrictions. Itis known to
the government that sealers have
hastened their departure to escape the
notice of a possible modus and every
day almost adds to the fleet that must
now be overhauled at sea. These yes
sells will, if not turned back, will go into
Behring sea and pursue to the very
shores Of our islands the slaughter of the
| mother seals seeking their accustomed
rookeries to be delivered OF their young.
This is a Crime Against Nature.
"This government expects to show, it
the arbitration proceeds, that the female
seals constitute the larger per cent Of the
catch of pelagic sealers. That, in view
of this serious and confident contention
of this government, His Lordship should
assume that another years suspension OF
such sealing is not necessary, to prevent
the undue diminution Of said seal herds
| and should insist that pending the arbi
tration, it shall go On precisely as II nc
arbitration was agreed upon
is as surprising as it is disap.
pointing. If Her Majesty's government
SO little respects the claims OF this
government as to be willing to forbeal
FOR single season to disregard them
the President cannot understand why
Lord Salisbury should have proposed
and agreed to give those claims the
dignity and standing which the reference
to a high court of arbitration implies
| From the moment arbitration was agreed
upon, neither party was at liberty te
disregard the contentious of the other
| It must be assumed that the sincere pur,