Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-03-31
WHAT SALISBURY HAS TO SAY.
HIS Indemnity Propositions More Com
plicated Than at First SupDosed


plicated Than at First Supposed.
LONDON, March 27.-Lord Salisbury un-
der date Of March &C. replied as follows to
Secretary Julian Pauncefote, in reply to
Mr.. Wharton's note of March 22d: "In re-
ply to your telegram of the 23d inst, notice
has been given 10 owners of ships sailing for
Boring sea that both agreements at present
under discussion between Great Britain and
the United States, that as to arbitration and
that to an intermediate arrangement, may
affect liberty of sealers in Boring sea. They
have, therefore, notice OF their liability to
possible interruption, and will sail subject
to that notice.
The question of time is not, therefore,
urgent. Inform the president that con
cur in thinking that VIXEN the treaty has
been ratified there will arise q new state of
things. Until it is ratified our conduct is
governed by the language OF your note of the
14th of June, 1890. But when it is ratified
botn parties must admit that contingent
rights have become vested IN the older,
which both desire to protect. We think
that the prohibition of sealing, il it stands
alone, will be unjust to British seaers if the
decision of the arbtrators should be adverse
to the United States
We are, however, willing, when the
rengement similar TO that of last year if the
United States will consent that the arbitra-
tors should in the event OF decision advers Sc
to the United States, assess the damages
which the prohibition OF sealing shall have
inflicted on British seaers during the pen
dancy Of the arbitration, and, in tbs event
of decision adverse TO Great Britain
should access the dameges which the limta-
ton of slaughter shall, during the pendancy
of arbitration, have inflicted on the United
States of its lessees.
As an alternative course, we are also will
ling, after the ratification of the treaty to
prohibit sealing in the disputed waters if
vessels be excepted from prohibition which
produce a certificate that they have given
security for such damages as the arbitra-
tors may assess in of u decision adj
verse TO Great Britain, the arbitrauors 20
receive the necessary authority on that be-
half Ia this case restriction of slaughter
on he islands will not in poiut of equity
- necessary. Her majesty's government
are unable to see any other than one OF
these two methods of restricting seal hunt
ing in the disputed waters during the arbi.
traton which would be equitable to both
parties. -
A later note from Lord Salisbury to Sir
with further reference to your telegram
of the 23d, am not prepared to admit, a.
gather that the president thinks, that we
have objected to the arbtrators having
jurisdiction to damages inflicted in th,
past by the party against whom the awarc
is given. | only objected To her majesty
government, being liable for acts they haY,
not committed
l AIN ready to consent to q reference OF
this point on the following terms: "Tha
In case the arbitrators shall decide in ia Of
OF the British government, that govern
ment may ask tlem further to decid
whether the United States governmen
have, since 1885, taken any action in BE
ring sea directly inhIcting wrongful loss o,
British subjects aud il SO TO Assess the dam
ages incurred thereby.
That, in caas the arbitretors shall decid
in favor of the government of the Unite,
States, that government may ask them t.
decide further whether the British govern
ment have, since 1885, taken any action i,
Boring sea directly INJECTING wrongful los
on the United States their lessses and
no to assess the damages incurred thereby. ;