The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-04-20
TO STUDY SEAL LIFE.
Government Ships Ordered to
Cruise After Evidence.
BERlNG SEA TREATY RATIFIED.
The Senate Breaks the Speed Record In
Accepting the Agreement-Provis-
ions of the Modus Yiyendt.

| PoRT TOWNSEND, April 19.-lSpeclai-l-
| The United States coast survey steamer
| Macarthur is expected to arrive from Sc
attic this evening. Tomorrow. with some
special government officers aboard, she
will proceed to Neah bay. thence for
weeks cruise along the coast OF Nancou-
yer island. The principal object OF the
trip is to obtain additional data relative to
pelagfc sealing. Although no definite in
formation can be obtained from the Off
GERS. it Is almost assured that several seal
ing vessels now cruising near Cape
Flattery will be boarded and the
officers and crew examined under
oath relative to seal life. It appears that
the government has fully realized the ne
cessity of obtaining authentic information
regarding habits of. seals. The officers
who went north recently on the Alba
tross and Corwin had emphatic instruc-
lions TO gather the most reliable evidence
obtainable. The Macarthur is also in
structed to make special inquiries concern
ing the wrecked schooner Henry Dennis.
The L. S. steamer Mohican will proceed
to Seattle tomorrow for fuel, and will then
cruise to Tacoma and return here for
further instructions.
PITTsBURG. April 19.-Commander Will
liam VI. Johnson, L. s. ", passed through
here today en- route TO Tacoma, at which
point he will take charge of the Mohican,
which was ordered to Boring sea with two
other naval vessels and several revenue
cutters.
WASHINGTON CRY, April 19-The Sem
ate committee on foreign relations this
afternoon reported favorably the modus
vivendi convention with Great Britain.
The treaty was discussed less than two
hours and ratified with substantial una
nimity. The convention comprises seven
articles. The first four are precisely SINH
lar in language to last years modus, with
the exception of the change in article l, of
the words until May next" to during
the tendency of arbitration" Briefly
stated. the articles prohibit Great Britain
and the United States from seal killing in
Boring sea and on the seal islands (save
1900 seals to be taken on the islands by
the Z nited States for the subsistence of
the natiyes) during arbitration; provides
for the seizure Of offending vessels and
permits the residence OF British subjects
on the islands during the sealing season.
Articles and 6 are new, and read as fol-
lows:
Article ). II the result of the arbitration shall
be TO affirm the right of British seslers to take
seals in Boring within the bounds claimed
BY the United states under its purchase IRON
Russia, then compensation shall be made by
the United States to Great Britain flor the uss
OF her subiects) for abstaining from the exercise
Of that right during tendency OF arbitration,
upon the basis OF such regulated and limited
catch or catches, in the opinion OF the arbitra-
tors, as might have been taken without undue
diminutiou OF the seal herds. And, on the
other hand, If the result OF the arbitration shall
be to deny the right Of British sealers TO take
seals within said waters, then compensation
shall be made by Great Britain to the United
States (for the use OF its citizens and lesseesl
upon the basis of the difference between
the limit Of the island CATCH, 503-and
such larger catch in the opinion of
the arbitrator might have been taken without
undue dininutiOn of the seal herd. TIE
amount awarded, If any, in either case shall be
considered under all circumstances just and
equitable, and shall be promptly paid.
Article 6. This convention may be renouncsd
by either of the high contracting parties at any
time after the 31st day of October. 1885, on giv
ing to the other party two months notice OF its
termination, and at the expiration OF such
notice the convention shall cease to be in force
The seventh and last article simply pro-
yides for exchange of ratification as early
as possible. The treaty was signed by
Secretary Blaine and Sir Julian Paunce-
fote and dated yesterday, so today the
Senate probably broke the record of
speedy action upon treaties.