The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1892-03-12
UNCLE SAM Is FIRM.
PLAIN TALK TO ENGLAND ON THE
BEHRlNG SEA QUESTION.

The british Premier Informed That This
Government Has the Ability and the In
tontion TO Maintain It's Sovereignty Un-
der tho Treaty Of 1907 with Russia.
WASHINGTON, March "a cabinet session
was held for the first time in two weeks.
There were present all the members except
Secretaries Blaine, who is sick, and Foster
and Noble, who are out of the city. Az was
expected, Behring sea matters were the
principal subject under discussion. Imme-
diately upon adjournment President Harri-
son sent the treaty proposing arbitration Of
the Behring sea controversy TO the senate
for its consideration.
In the course Of the meeting the reply
to Lord salisbury's note, in which he an
nounced his unwillingness to further extend
the modus vivendi Of last year, was present
ed and discussed and later delivered to Sir
Julian Paunoefote, the British minister, as
through him Lord Salisbury's note had been
communicated to this government, It is
said that the reply, while expressing regret
at the action of his lordship, very broadly
and firmly intimates the ability and inten-
tion Of the government Of the United States
to protect the seals and all other property
rights claimed by it in the Behring sea by
virtue Of the treaty of 1867 with Russia. The
reply is said to be a dignified but emphatic
statement Of the controverted rights Of this
country in the territory under discussion.
A Firm Stand WIN BE Taken.
The cabinet discussed the question
whether or not, under the conditions that
exist now, the recently negotiated treaty Of
arbitration should be sent TO the senate,
and it was decided in the Affirmative. Il
was asserted that it would not do for the
United States government, after having
proposed arbitration, to withdraw from the
arrangement made by its representatives
and that Of Great Britain to carry that
proposition into effect, whatever posi-
ton the other party might assume. This
government, it was further stated, must
show its good faith in the matter. Other
means than the abandonment Of the pro
posed arbitration could be found, and doubt
less would be, under the new conditions
arising out of the refusal of Great Britain to
renew the modus vivendi by which the seal
herds could be protected pending progress
Of the arbitration.
President Harrison, it is said, fully real
izing the necessity that exists for expediti-
GUS action, If there is to be any effective
protection Of the seals against poachng
this season, will endeavor to reach an un-
derstanding with Great Britain as soon as
possible. Should Lord Salisbury persist in
his refusal to join in modus vivendi after
receiving the reply to his recent note, it is
probable the president will notify him that
the law Of the United States against illegal
sealing will be enforced against all vessels
offending, and the usual proclamation warn
ing poachers off the sealing waters will be
issued, The programme, however, will de-
pend largely upon developments from time
to time. They may be such as are entirely
unforeseen at present, and, therefore, it can
not be stated with any degree Of definite
ness now.