The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-03-26
English People Little Interested
in Bering Sea Dispute.
GLADSTONE SIDES WITH US.
Public Opinion Will Force Salisbury
to Renew Modus vivendi,
He Has Sent Reply to President Har-
rison's Letter The Administration
stoutly Supported by the Senate
How the Poachers File CIafma.

LONDON, March 25.-l Associated Press
Copyrighted, 1892. Until the Liberal
leaders have examined the Bering sea cor
respondence. which it is promised will be
made public Monday, no party action on
the question will be taken, but from the
draft of the correspondence as laid before
the United States Senate they have al
ready determined to adopt an attitude of
opposition. A week ago the Liberal lead
ers were inclined to support Lord Sails
bury, and the Liberal organs took an ad-
verse view of the position assumed by the
United States. Whether it be policy that
dictates the change of front or sense
of the justice of the American claims, it
is certain that the opposition leaders have
decided to attack Salisbury and arraign
him as pursuing needlessly vexatious
course instead of asserting to the reason
able arrangement offered by the Washing
ton City government. Gladstone's or
gan, the Speaker, will tomorrow contain
an article which, after analyzing the ex-
pert evidence, will maintain that renewal
of the modus vivendi ought to be assented
to by the British government, and con-
tinues:
Why should the government be asked to pro-
mote the success of Canadian adventurers who
deliberately undertake a dangerous speculation
OF doubtful legality and utility to mankind?
We are not going to war with the United States,
not even in the interests of federation of the
empire. and pending arbitration it is unjust to
refuse to continue an arrangement which was
part OF the condition under which the arbitra.
tion was agreed upon.
The Unionist organ, the Spectator, ad-
vocates settlement that will open the sea
to Canadian sealers, with a provision for
recompense to the Americans in the event
that the decision of the arbitrators is
against Great Britain.
The Star, which yesterday approved of
Salisbury's attitude in declining to assent
to prolongation of the modus vivendi,
has changed its views, and today advises
Salisbury to renew the modus vivendi. 1t
says the renewal will cause the "Cana-
dians to Scream" adding, ''but better that
than serious trouble between Great Britain
and the United States"
Lord Salisbury's reply to President Har-
rison's last note should be in possession
of the Washington City cabinet today.
Although no official statement regarding
its character is obtainable, official belief is
that Salisbury will agree to place an en-
barge on Canadian sealing in the open sea,
provided the United States government
agrees to pay compensation if the arbitra-
tion decision be against the American
claim.
Whatever may be the issue, the idea of
an armed collision is dismissed on all
sides as supremely improbable. The for
midable list received of United States
ships which are repairing to Bering sea,
has caused incredulous surprise in the
interest centering on the ques-
tion purely as a party one, neither side
having the remotest sense of any crisis
the peace. Popular interest in
the question is very slight.
Admiralty officials know nothing of any
change in the movements of the Pacific
as rumored. The Warspite,
Melpomene and Champion are under or
ders for Esquimalt March s; the Daphne
is at Esquimalt; the Garnet and Nymph
will remain on the Southern division and
the Pheasant in Hawaiian waters for the
present. From the movements of the ves-
sells it is evident they are not associated
with an acute phase of the Bering sea
The Army and Nary Gazette
will dismiss the matter with the observa-
ton that it is fuss over political question
and mere bluster, and that rumors of
naval'movements are only gossip.
The departure for Vancouver of a claim
settler for a marine insurance company
and Treasury Clerk Gredowe are connected
with the notice to Canadian sea.ers to file
claims within month at the customs
office at Victoria. Sir Charles Tupper has
suggested to the colonial secretary the
question of the permanent appointment of
a Canadian attache to the British legation
at Washington City to act as special ad-
wiser on Canadian affairs.
In the house of commons today, in reply
to a request for information as to the latest
from the United States
on the Berlng sea question, Lowther
secretary for foreign affairs,
said the correspondence was still pending,
but hoped it would be ready for production
in the house on Monday. The reply to
Great Britain's note to the United States,
he said, was still under consideration. He
said furthermore that the foreign office
had had nothing from Washington City
the kilograms published in this
mornings newspapers that the United
States committee on foreign relations had
recommended the ratification of the con-
yention.
WASHINGTON Cry, March p. The Sem
ate spent two hours and half in further
of the Bering sea arbitra-
tion treaty. A vote is expected on the
motion to rstify the treaty some time next
week. The discussion has established a
strong probability that the treaty will be
ratified. The senators who oppose it as a
whole are few in number, and find their
principal representative in FELTON, of Cali
fornia. His opposition is based upon the
idea that it contemplates possible sur
render of the absolute rights acquired by
the United States from Russia, but
the most formidable opposition is
made up of members who believe
the treaty should be accompanied by
resolution directing the president to with
hold exchange of final ratification until
Great Britain consents to renew the modus
viyendi. 1t has been represented by mem
bers of the foreign relations committee
that the adoption of such resolution
would defeat the treaty, for Great Britain
would never consent TO be placed in an at
titude of renewing the modus vIvendi
through fear OF results. There is another
element in the Senate that seeks 10 follow
the ratification with resolution indorsing
the presidents action up 20 this point, and
asserting strongly the purpose OF this gov
eminent TO protect its property in the seal
islands at all hazards pending arbitration
This element appeared today to have gath
cred strength.
The seriousness of the Bering sea situa-
ton is shown by the attendance of Secre-
tary Blaine at the cabinet meeting today,