The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1892-03-12
Bebring Sea Middle.


sea matter has assumed q most serious
phase, and public officials make no at
temp to disguise their grave concern at
the outcome. It was developed today
that Lord Salisbury's proposition with
regard to the present season was not
only to open Behring yea outsid 9 of tn
thirty mile linn it off Prybilloff leland to
indisoriminate seal :ng, but to limit the
catch within that helt, including, Of
course, the shores of the island to 80, 600
seals. In the language of II prominent
official this proposition is wholly IN
fair, arrogant and ever insulting to this
country" 1t is commended by expe .
that the opening of Bshrirg sea Or
one season in the manner sug-
gtstsd would result in the speedy
determination of the seal species
and that there would then be nothing to
ar5itrate. This government is not at
all disposed to allow this to be done
without making o vigorous and deter.
mined effort to prevent it. Unless Lord
Salisbury reoedes from his present posi-
tion and consents to q removal of last
years modus vivendi, restricting the
catch OF seals to such as are regarded as
necessary for the welfare of the nations,
it will be necessary for this government
to undertake alone the protection of
seals by the enforcement of laws bearing
on the subject. It is probable that a
special meeting of the cabinet will be held
Monday for the purpose of considering
the subject and deciding upon a plan Of
action in case of Lord SaIisbury's insist.
ence on his last proposition.
SENATORS ARE IGNORANT.
WASHINGTON. March Sit is quite
clear from inquiry at the capitol that
with the exception of q few members of
the house and senate committees on
foreign r%eparations senators and repre-
~sentatives are in q state of ignorance of
the present condition Of the negotiations
respecting the seal fisheries. The ignor-
anoe Of the real state of affairs at the
capitol is partially excusable on the
ground that the treaty itself has not
reached the senate, andlndeed It'll limited
by some members that unless the British
government evinces q disposition to act
with fairne 81 in the matter of the modus
vivendi, it may be sent to the senate by
the president. While this deplorabie
contings ncy is not believed to be near
at hand, Q few congressman who are in
formed as to the exact situation express
privately their great concern at the out.
look, and fear that If the treaty fails and
the contentious of the two nations rela,
tive to the rights OF their subjects in the
Behring sea revert to the status they
occupied at the beginning of the nego-
cations several years ago, very serious
information. al complications may be ex-
pected. A discussion of the subject has
the effect to attract the attention not
only OF th" g'neral public, but also of
enter pris:!g vessel owners, and the
latter, aliuie ed by the hope OF large prof
it's from seal taking in the northern
waters were making preparations for
moving toward Behring sea in such
numbers as to warrant the bslief that
unless the move ment is promptly and
vigorously checked the seal ~rookeries
will be completely depopulated. Such
bers OF the foreign relations com.
mlttees az are conyersant with the sub
lect, are OF the opinion that the United
States cannot permit III q organized
system OF poaching to be resumed. and
that, failing in it's IF ,rts to secure the
renewal of the modus vivendi, in iustioe
70 the half starved natives OF the seal
islands, if not from regard for the
dignity OF the nation ana rights of the
lessees OF the islands, the government
viii proceed as soon as the season onens,
to police the waters of Behrinp Sea with
q powerful and effective Acct and
seize all poaching vessels regardless
OF nationality or of protests of the inter
ested nations. While the adoption Of
such q course might appear to be an in
vltat. on to dispute, and perhaps to more
serious consequences, it is said BY some.
9 bers of the committees il wonId
really be in accordance with estabIished
diplonatic practices, which permit 8 na.
tloD, While it's contention 9 are the snh-
1ect Of negotiation, to maintain its
ground until the conclusion il reached.
with the understanding that il The result
% the negotiations or arbitration Il
against j. the nation would be under
obligation to make 20. d any wrong Il
may have committed upon the rirhts ~
the tubjects Of the party to the contro-
54#@@a 8s G$