The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-03-09
THE MODUS VIVENDL.
American Government Insists
on Its Renewal.
A REPLY SENT TO SALISBURY.
Many of the Senators Not Disposed to
Make Any Concessions.
A REPLY SENT TO SALISBURY.
Ine Senate Passes the Spokane Building
Bill, Appropriating oO,OOO-Two
Pacific Coast Gun Factories, Perhaps
The House Transscts No Business.

| WASHINGTON City, March s.-The cab.
met meeting today was important, not
withstanding the absence of Blaine.
roster and Noble. The entire session
was devoted to the consideration of the
bering sea question in general The
opinion was unanimous that the position
occupied by the British government,
opposing renewal of the modus vivendi,
Is untenable and not warranted by the
condition of the sealing industry. 1t
was argued that the opening of Bering
sea this season to indiscriminate
slaughter by poachers would undoubt-
edIy result in the serious injury if not
the total destruction of the industry. and
thus defeat the very object of the negotia-
tons. 1t was decided to insist upon a
modus vivendi somewhat similar to that
OF last year. Another question was in
regard to the Transmission to the Senate
OF copies of the correspondence on the
question since January 6. 1891. the
date of the last published volume. to
aid that body in consideration. While the
general opinion was favorable to this, it
was concluded to leave the matter open
for few days. The correspondence would
naturally include the last communication
received from Lord Salisbury respecting
the modus vivendl for the coming season
and its transmission may be DELAYED till it
includes also the response to Lord Sails
bury. This government is desirous of
reaching prompt agreement in regard to
the fisheries, in order that it NAV be Off
claliy promulgated IN advance of the seal
ing fleet
The Senate in executive session this
afternoon considered the arbitration treaty
in regard to Bering sea. There was much
opposition to it. Some senators bitterly
resented the idea of any treaty, holding
the right of the United States to the
waters acquired from Russia to be beyond
question, and that it would be a cowardly
surrender on the part of this government
to submit its rights to the uncertain de-
cision of foreign arbitrators. Attention is
also called to the fact that one of these ar
bitrators is subject of a power with
which our relations are somewhat
stralned-ltaiy. Others appeared to be-
Geve that approval of the treaty would be
distinct gain in the diplomatic battle, in
asmuch as it committed Great Britain to
recognition of the fact that the United
States had claim to jurisdiction over the
waters of Bering sea under Russian title, a
point which she has heretofore steadily
refused to allow. A third group thought
the treaty should not be approved finally
without the addition of clause renewing
the modus vivendi.
Indeed, there was manifested a general
feeling of disappointment growing out of
the refusal of the British government
to accede to the reasonable request of this
government IN that respect. Some SEN
ators took the ground that while the treaty
might safely be ratified, the admin
istration should be instructed in the
event of the continued refusal
OF the British government to insure the
protection of the seals during arbitration
proceedings, to order vessels of the United
States to seize every offending vessel, with
out regard to nationality. After consid-
cradle discussion the treaty was referred
to the committee on foreign relations.
Since the above was written it is learned
that Acting Secretary Wharton delivered
to the British minister of war this after
noon reply to the note declining to re-
new the modus vivendI. The reply reit-
crates the position of this government and
insists on renewal of the modus vivendi
of 1891 for the coming season. 1t is un-
derstood Sir Julian Pauncefote cabled the
entire text of the note to Lord Salisbury
this evening.
LONDON, March S.-William Randall
Creamer, member of the commons, has
written a letter in which he says petitions
representing ,250,0 900 members of various
industrial organizations and other persons
in favor of arbitrating all disputes be-
- = h.
will be Immediately presented to parlia-
ment.
OTTAWA, Ont, March s.-Minister of
Marine Tupper stated today that the chief
contention against renewal of the modus
vivendi was that IL was not necessary for
the preservation of seal life, as held by the
United States. The only danger of eIter-
mination is in the wholesale slaughter car
ried on by natives and the Alaska COM
pany on the breeding grounds.