The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-03-12
Trying to Make Capital Out of
Bering Sea Matter.
THE PEOPLE ARE AGAINST HIM,
GladstOnians Strongly in Favor of
the M0dus Yivendi.
A Liberal-Unionist NJ. p. Sentenced to
Penal Servitude-Extension OF Re-
ligious Liberty - An Oxford Tutor
Sentenced to Prison for Blackmail.

LONDON, March IL Associated Press,
| copyrighted, 1892. Lord Salisbury's de-
| lay in arranging for modus vivendi in
| Bering sea has been a matter of private
| consideration by the leaders of the opposi-
ton, resulting in a decision not to move
In the matter until the policy of the gov
ernment appears more definite. The for
eign office is unusually dilatory in the pro-
duction of the papers in the case. Mr.. J.
W. Lowther, parliamentary secretary for
foreign affairs, denies that the details
of the recent negotiations have yet
! reached the foreign office, but as
the anxiety for early settlement
bee ONES heightened by every days
cable dispatches, postponement of the
governments explanation cannot be made
beyond next week. The motive of Sails
bury's conduct. as is well known in official
circles, is found in the promptings of Sir
Charles Tupper, who has been advising
the government to show fight against re-
newal of the modus vivendi, on the ground
that II is not fair to Canada, as it will lock
up capital now invested in sealers.
The platform of the extreme Tory organs
of the country is dead against Salisbury
for risking quarrel with the United
States for the sake of the small capital in
vested in the fishing boats. Tomorrow
number of the Speaker will indicate the at
titude of the Liberals in arguing that the
reasons that induced Salisbury to agree to
the modus vivendi in 1891 apply with
equal force In favor of renewal in
1892; that if the English government
is confident of the strength of
its case there is all the greater cause to be
content to await the decision of the arbi-
tration tribunal, and to be ready mean
while to meet the Washington City ex-
ecutive on provisional arrangement.
The difficulty causes no comment among
ministerialists, who rely upon Salisbury's
prudence, nor is a serious rupture with
the United States thought possible on
either side of the house.
Salisbury's final acceptance of modus
vivendi is held inevitable. What stirs the
opposition is the needless discussion of
comparatively trivial matters, tending to
excite irritation.
With reference to other trouble, Can
ada's supposed infraction of the treaty of
1917, forbidding warships on the lakes be-
yond limited reservation, the colonial
Offices advices divest the action of the
Dominion government of the Importance
the cable dispatches attribute to the mat
ter. According to these advices only one
Canadian vessel was built, designed for
the lighthouse service, but now destined
to watch for smugglers on the lowest en-
trance.
A potent factor guiding Salisbury's pol
icy to harmony with the Washington City
government is the fact that on the eve of a
general election it is possible to risk in
curing popular anger by allowing arbitra-
ton to collapse at a moment when it ap-
pears to be on the verge of success.
Since Cromer's motion in favor of per-
manent treaty of arbitration with the
United States was indefinitely postponed
under pressure of government business,
report has been circulated in the lobbies
of the commons that Salisbury has re-
ceived private assurance of the readiness
of the American government to negotiate
such a treaty. The Liberals accept the
report as true, and if the session lasts
beyond Easter Mr. Cromer will renew the
motion, which will be supported by the
bulk of the Liberals and a number of Con-
servatiyes, and is certain to be carried. In
the event of earlier dissolution it will be
brought up as early as possible after the
assembly of the new parliament.
Memorials in favor of the treaty have
Deen SlgHtu Dy l-p,vbJ N'lThlugiueH, prov
ing that the temper of the country will not
stand Salisbury's worrying policy toward
kindred nations.
The Stdadnrd commenting on the Bering sea
question, says We cannot help thinking that
President Harrison is trading oyermuch on our
past amiability. The Wharton message com
pletely misrepresents the attitude and argument
OF Salisbury. beside begging the whole ques-
tion is dispute. The suggestion that England
would only be too glad il the arbitration were
abandoned is too ridiculous to be discussed.
lord Salisbury is bound to protect English
rights as far Us possible and it is Just TO do so,
and we must assure our friends in America, in
all good humor, that no amount of browbeating
is likely 10 force him into abandoning that re-
spOusiDility
WASHINGTON CITY, March 11.-fSpeciall
The two British vessels seized in Bering
sea last year for violating the modus
vivendi are said to be among the vessels
that have already started for the sealing
grounds. The vessels are the Otto and f.
B. Marvin. AS far as known, the British
government has not even instituted pro-
ceedings against them. On the other
hand, the La Symfa and Ethel, two Amer
ican vessels seized tor the same otfense,
were libeled and condemned by the
United States court. Today there is con-
siderable adverse comment in official cir
cies regarding the radically different ac-
ton of the governments in matters in
which at the time they were supposed TO
be in full accord.
The Ber.ug sea question was again con-
sidered at today's meeting of the cabinet,
but it is understood that no action was