The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-03-05
THE SEAL DISPUTE.
Lord Salisbury Refuses to Re
new the Modus Vivendi.
AMERICA MUST ACT ALONE.
British Columbia Poachers Backed Up
by the Provincial Government and
More Numerous Than Ever.

WARRINGTON CITY, March 4.-The course OF
the negotiations now in progress between the
United States and Great Britain touching the
seal fisheries of Bering sea is being closely
watched by members OF the Senate and House.
report from London to the effect that Sails
bury would not renew the modus viyendi was
received with dissatisfaction. 1t is realized that
the arbitration provided for in the treaty about
to be submitted to the Senate cannot be COM
pleted in time to avail Tor protection OF seal
waters, and the counter proposition to be made
by Lord Salisbury, looking to the establishment
of protected belt extending only thirty miles
from the shores OF the Priblof islands, is looked
upon as being entirely inadequate to meet the
case.
The members of the congressional committees
do not disguise belief in private that unless
the British government shows a disposition to
Join the work OF protection OF the waters OF
Boring sea from poachers during the progress OF
arbitration, the United States government must
undertake the work aud execute the law, which
has not been repealed, requiring it TO protec;
the seal fisheries. II this is followed the situa-
ton will assume phase very similar to that
preceding the readop tion OF the modus vivendi
last year, and the government may resume the
policy OF seizure of offending vessels, which
may lead to energetic protests aud perhaps re-
taliatory action by Great Britain.
The joint commission of the Boring sea fish
cries held final session this afternoon. After
signing the joint report embodying statement
of the facts the commission adjourned sine die.
1t Is understood that no agreement was reached
on the main question at issue, as to
whether or not the closed season and
the prohibition OF pelngic sealing are
essential to the preservation of the seal 1t is
eaid that representatives of the United States
have advocated a policy of this kind for a lin
tied period, and that the representatives, of
raat Rrff in
be two separate reports on this point These
will be submitted TO the board of arbitration.
In the meantime the treasury department is
making the usual arrangements for the enforce
ment OF the laws with regard 70 the seal fish
cries.
VICTORIA, March AIN the provincial legisla-
ture today Hon. J. II. Turner, minister OF
finance, moved, seconded by Hon. John Robson,
lengthy resolution regarding the Boring sea
fisheries, urging on the imperial government to
grant compensation to seaers for the losses
sustained last season, and to refuse to
renew the modus viyend for another year. Mr.
Turner said there were fifty-one vessels in the
province engaged in fishing, forty-six Of them
registered from Victoria and five reg
istered from Vancouver. Besides these
there were sixteen now the
way from Nova Scotia. The to-
tai cost OF the ffty-one now
here was 100000, and the outfit annually
required cost of 100000 The number of
white men actually engaged is over 500, and 500
Indians are likewise occupied Hon. John
Robson, premier, said the time had
now come when the British Columbia govern
ment must speak with no uncertain sound and
demand its full rights The information re-
ceived by the government proved that the pres
ent season is likely to be the best for years, and
# would be extremely unfortunate to have any
interference with seaiers.
PORT TOWNSEND, March 4-[special. 1.-The
British naval officers at EsquimaIt are making
arrangements to charter a steamer TO act as Il
tender to the British war vessels in Bering sea.
Captain Mcintyre, OF the steamer Costa Riea,
and the owners OF that vessel have been notified
to hold the steamer in readiness to go to Ouna-
laska next July. The war vessels viii leave for
Boring sea some weeks earlier to keep the
poachers out of the forbidden waters The
Costa Rica will take up supplies and coal and
will probably remain north until the latter part
of September. The Costa Rica was chartered
for the same purpose last year and the United
States engaged the Al-Ki as a tender to the
American war vessels.