Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1892-03-12
THE SEALING DISPUTE.

The Question Before the Cabinet A Lively
Executive Session Of the senate on the
Matter.
WASHINGTON, March o.-The cabinet
meeting yesterday was devoted TO the
Boring sea question with view TO de.
Gliding on plan Of action in case Great
Britain adheres to its refused to renew
for the present season, pending arbitra-
ton, the modus vivendi of last year.
In the absence OF Secretaries Blaine,
Foster and Noble, action was post
poned until the next meeting in the
hope that the cabinet would then have
the benefit OF Mr.. Blaine's counsel
Acting Secretary Wharton delivered
to the British minister yesterday the
reply of this government to Lord Sails
bury's note declining to renew the
modus vivendi. This reply reiterates
the position of this government and in
sists on renewal OF the modus vivendi
of 1891 for the coming season. It is
understood that Sir Julian Pauncefote
cabled the entire text of the note to
Lord Salisbury last evening.
Inn hAiAbh AE Inn or'N6 ns
WASHINGTON, March Sat $3.50
o'clock yesterday afternoon the senate,
on motion OF Mr.. Sherman. chairman
of the committee on foreign relations
went into executive session to consider
the arbitration treaty received from the
president There were no copies OF the
correspondence showing the various
steps in tho negotiations leading up to
the signature of the treaty and the
presidents letter which came with the
document was simply one OF transmit
tal without suggestion or recommenda-
ton. The text Of the treaty was read
in full and q concise explanation OF its
terms and Of the necessities of the case
was made in behalf of the administra-
ton by one of the senators.
When he had concluded there fol.
lowed an animated but not acrimonious
discussion of the document IL soon
became apparent that the treaty was
to receive severe and formidable oppo.
sition in its consideration. This oppo-
sition took several forms and there
were at least several views on the sub
iect.
On one hand body Of senators re-
scented bitterly the idea of ratifying
any arbitration treaty. They held that
the right of the United States to the
waters acquired from Russia was be-
yond question, and that it would be
cowardly surrender on the part OF the
government for it to consent to submit
to the uncertain decision OF foreign
arbitrator
A considerable number of senator's
appeared to believe that the approval
of the treaty would be distinct gain
in the diplomatic battle, inasmuch as
it committed Great Britain to the rec
ognition of the fact that the United
States had claimed jurisdiction over
the waters Of Boring sea under tho
Russian title, q point which she has
heretofore steadily refused to allow.
A third party thought the treaty
should not be approved finally without
the addition OF clause renewing the
modus vivendi Some Of the senators
took the ground that while the treaty
might safely be ratified by the senate.
tho administration should be instructed,
in the event Of tho continued refusal
OF the British government TO insure the
protection OF the seal during the course
of the arbitration, to order tho vessels
Of the United States TO seize
every offending vessel without
regard to nationality. They an
nounced that If trouble resulted from
the adoption of this course. they were
prepared to fully support the admins
tration in taking all necessary steps to
give effect to the existing laws OF the
United States for the protection OF
seals. After the discussion had pro-
crossed in this strain for an hour. on
motion Of the chairman the treaty was
referred to the committee on foreign
relations.