Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-03-10
TROUBLESOME SEALS
TAKE UP THE TIME OF TIE SENAT c
IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
The Proposed Arbitration Treaty Dis
cussed- some senators Oppose 1t, 9TH
ors Approve of 1t and Still Others Want
1t Modified

WASHINGTON, March S.--To-day the
Ser te went into executive session to consider
the arbitration treaty received to-day IRON
the president. There were no copies of cor
respondence showing the variety of steps in
negotiations leading up to the signature OF
the treaty, and the presidents letter, which
came with the document, was simply one of
transmittal, without suggestion or recon-
mendation. The text of the treaty
read in full, and concise explanation OF
the necessities of the made in be
half OF the administration by one of the
senators. Whom he had concluded there
followed an animated but not acrimonious
discussion Of the document.
The opposition to the treaty took several
forms and there were at least three differ
ent views of the subject. A body OF sena-
tors resented bitterly the idea of ratifying
any arbitration treaty. They held that the
right of the United States to the
waters acquired from Russia was hey yond
question and that it wonld be cowardy
surrender on the part of the United States
for it to consent to submit it's right to the
uncertain decision OF foreign arbtrators.
Attention was also called to the TACT that
one Of the three foreign arbitrators who
would really hold in their hands the final
decision of the question at issue would be
the subject Of a power with which our rela-
tions are very much strained, meaning
Italy.
a considerable number of senator 8
appeared TO believe that the approval OF the
treaty would he distinct gain i'll the dip
lofnatlc Oatte, as 1t committed Great Brit
AIN to the recognition OF the fact that the
Uuited States had claim to Jur .sdiction
over the waters of Behring sea under the
Russian title, point which she has hereto
fore steadily refused to allow.
A third party thought the treaty should
not be approved finally without the adIi-
ton of clause renewing the mOdus vi
Vendl Indeed there was manifested gen
era feeling OF disappointment growing out
Of the refusal OF the British government to
Rccede to the reasonable request Of this gov
eminent in that respect, and some senators
took the ground that, while the treaty might
safely be ratified by the Senate, the admin
ltratlon should be instructed that in the
event Of continued refusal OF the Brit tisn
government TO ensure the protection of the
seals during the course or the arbitration
the vessels of the United States should seize
every offending vessel, without regard to
nationality. They announced that II trouble
resulted from the adoption of this course
they were prepared to fully support the
administration in taking all necessary steps
20 give effect to the laws of the United
States for the protection of the seals.
After the discussion had progressed in
this strain for an hour, the treaty was re-
ferred to the committee on foreign relations.
Meanwhll the interest OF the senators has
been fully aroused and it is probable tina
when the document is reported back from the
committee the struggle VIII be renewed at the
point where it closed to day.