Evening journal., 1892-03-24
A WARNING TO ENGLAND
The Behring Sea Trouble Ap-
preaching a Grave Crisis.
SHARP RESPONSE TO SALISBURY.

He Is Plainly Informed by Our chief
Executive That II the Modus vIvendi
Is Not Renewed the President win Not
BE Responsible for tho Consequences.
WASHINGTON, March 2I.-The Behring
sea dispute has reached stage so serious
that every man in public life in Washing
ton realizes how grave a question il is and
looks forward anxiously for the next devel-
opments. The senate is now in possession
~ the latest evasive dispatch from Lord
Salisbury and Of the firm response Of Presi-
dent Harrison, which was handed to Sir
Jnlian Pauncefote. The documents were
laid before the executive session OF the
senate.
great many senators, after hearing the
reply Of Lord Salisbury TO the presidents
note OF March S, express the opinion that IL
is not only vague and indefinite, but insin-
cere. The principal objections TO salisbury's
reply are based on his reitetation OF for
mer assertion that pelagic sealing is not de-
structiVe Of seal life, and his declaration
that submission of the question to arbi-
tration would render a settlement indefi-
mite. As an illustration, his lorlship states
that Great Britain has devoted four years
to an attempt 20 determine an international
controversy between that nation and Por-
tugal, and that no progress has been made
toward a aconclusion
The counter proposition to require all
Canadian sealers TO give a bond TO indem-
Nifty the United States for seals taken If the
tribunal Of arbitration should decide in
favor Of this government, is regarded as
ridiculous. No plan is suggested by which
these bonds could be secured or collection
made II Judgment was rendered against
them.
A Presidential Threat.
While using nothing but diplomatic Ian
guage, the president in his reply proved con
clusiyely that the controversy between
Great Britain and Portugal had occupied
but one years time instead OF four He
again showed the necessity for close sea-
son, and reafirmed the discrimination Of
the United States to maintain such. either
with or without the aid OF Great Britain.
He does not recognize the counter propo-
sition as entering into the discussion. It is
said the president concludes his reply with
the following significant sentence:
III the modus vivendi be not renewed,
the president win not be responsible for any
consequences that may follow
It is understood that the committee on
foreign affairs win make report TO the
senate within forty-eight hours at the out
side
When the presidents message had been
read Senator Sherman arose and delivered a
short but severe lecture on the subject Of
revealing executive secrets. He impressed
upon the members OF the senate the grave
responsibility that rests upon them in deal.
ing with the question under discussion, and
warned them that the United States might
be plunged into serious complications with
a foreign power if an erroneous idea of the
pending correspondence should be given TO
the country in the shape of disconnected re-
ports in the newspapers
Secrecy to BE Maintained.
Senator Turpie made a sarcastic speech.
an which he acknowledged that the Sena-
tor from Ohio was the only member who
fully appreciated the Importance Of observ-
ing the rules on the subject.
Mr.. Sherman, in reply, dsavowed any in
tention 81 lectuifng his associates. He Said
he simply wanted to impress upon them the
grave responsibility which rested upon them
as senators and the serious results which
might follow premature or unofficial state
ment Of the situation.
A motion was made TO make public the
entire correspondence, but Senator Sher-
man opposed this proposition. The motion
was then modified so as TO authorize the
printing Of the correspondence for the ex-
elusive use Of the senate.