The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1892-04-06
Note from Salisbury.

In reply to your telegram notice has
been given to owners OF ships sailing for
Behring Sea that both agreements at
present under discussion between Great
Britain and the United States-that as
10 arbitration and that as to an inter-
mediate arrangement-may affect the
liberty of sealing in Behring Sea. They
have, therefore, notice of their liability
to possible interruption, and will sail
subject to that notice. The question OF
time is not, therefore, urgent.
Inform the President that we concur
In thinking that when the treaty has
been ratified there will arise a new
state OF things. Until it is ratified our
conduct is governed by the language of
your note of the 14th OF June, 1890.
But when it is ratified both parties must
admit that contingent rights have be-
come vested in the other, which both de-
sire to protect.
I'VE think that the prohibition Of seal
ing, If it stands alone, will be unjust to
British sealers if the decision Of the
arbitrators should be adverse to the
United States. We are, however, will
Ing, when the treaty has been ratified, to
agree to an arrangement similar to that
OF last year ii the United States will
consent that the arbitrators should, in
lnc cNtub VI IL ucClolOH duNtISo W LILO
United States, assess the damages which
the proh bition OF sealing shall have in
ffiicted on British sealers during the
tendency of the arbitration, and in the
event of q decision adverse TO Great
Britain should assess the damages
which the limitation of slaughter shall,
during the tendency of arbitration, have
inflicted on the United States or their
lessees.
AS an alternative course we are also
willing, after the ratification of the
treaty, to prohibit sealing in the disputed
waters IL vessels be excepted from pro-
hibition which produce a certificate that
they have given security for such dam
ages as the arbitrator may assess in
case of q decision averse to Great
Britain, the arbitrators to receive the
necessary authority on that behalf. In
this case a restriction of slaughter on
the islands will not in point of equity be
necessary.
- Her Majesty's Government are I'M
able to see any other than one Of these
two methods of restricting seal hunting
In the disputed waters during the arbi-
tration which would be equitable to both
parties.
Salisbury States His Terms
A later note from Lord Salisbury to
Sir Julian Pauncefote says:
With further reference to your telegram,
] am not prepared to admit, as l gather J
that the President thinks, that we have OBJ
jected to the arbitrator having jurjsdic-
ton as to the damages inflicted In the past
by the party against whom the award Is
given / only objected to her Matesty's
Government being liable for acts they have
not committed. l am ready to consent to
reference on this point on the following
terms
That in case the arbitrator shall decide
In favor OF the British Government, that
Government may ask them further to de-
eide whether the United States Government
has, since 1885, taken any action in Behring
Sea directly infiicting wrong full loss on Brit
ish subjects, and, IL So to assess the dam.
ages incurred thereby.
That in case the arbitrator shall decide
In favor Of the Governm ent OF the United
States that Government may ask them to
decide further whether the British Cow
ernment have, since 1885, taken any act on
In Bering Sea, directly inficting wrongful
less on the United States or their lessees,~
and, If so, to assess the damages incurred
thereby.
The note to Sir Julian Pauncefote Of
June IA, 1890, referred to in Lord Sails
bury's reply, is as follows:
(Receved June IA. 1875 1S0o.)
The undersigned, her Britannia majesty's
envoy extraordinary and minister plenipo-
Tertiary TO the United States OF America,
has the honor, by instruction Of his Gov
eminent, to make to the Honorable James
G.. Blaine. Secretary of State of the United
States, the following:
Her Majesty's Government has learned
with deep regret from notices which have
appeared in the public press the accuracy
OF which has been confirmed by NJ Rlaine's
statements to tho undersigned, that the
United States have issued instructions to
their revenue cutters about to be dis
patched TO Behring Sea under which the
vessels OF British subjects will again be ex-
posed under the prosecution OF their legiti-
mate industry on the high seas to unlawfm
inter. erence at the hands OF American
officers. Her Britannia Majestys Govern
ment are anxious to cooper ate to the
fullest extent of their power with the
government OF the United States In such
measure as may be found to be ex-l
pedient for the protection OF the seal
fisheries They are at the present moment
engaged In examining, In concert with the
Government OF the United States. the best
method OF arriving at an agreement upon
this point But they cannot admit the
right of the United States of their own sole
motion to restrict for this purpose the free
dom of navigation OF Behring Sea, which the
United States have themselves In former
years convincingly and successfully vindi-
Gated, nor to enforce their municipal legis-
lation against British vessels on the high
seas beyond the limits of their territorial
Jurisdiction.
Her Britannia Majes'y's Government are
therefore unable to pass over wit bout no.
lice the public announcement of an inten-
ZION on the part of the Government OF the
United States to renew the acts of inter-
ference with British vessels navigating
outside the territorial waters of the United
States. of which they have previously had
10 complain.
The undersigned Is, in consequence. in
structed formally to protest against such
interference, and to declare that her
Britannia Majesty's Government must hold
the Government of the United States re-
sponsible for the consequences that may
ensue from acts which are contrary to the
established principles OF international
law. The undersigned, etc.
JULIAN PAUNCEForE