The record-union., 1892-03-10
BEHRING SEA.
SYNOPSIS OF CORRESPONDENCE
SENT TO THE SENATE.
Lord Salisbury Sees No Reason for a
Renewal of the Modus
Vivendi.
Special to the REcoRD-UN1oN.


WASHINGTON, March 9.-The President
to-day sent to the Senate the correspond
ence in regard to the Behring Sea ques-
ton, covering the period from April 20,
1891, to the date of the recent correspond
ence. The correspondence includes all
letters exchanged between the two Gov
ernments since April 20, 1891. Most of it
has been heretofore published. There
are numbers of letters between Mr..
Blaine and Sir Julian Pauncefote, of
which the following is the most import
ant:
Sir Julian informs Blaine that Sails
bury does not admit, as has been pre-
viously indicated by Blaine, that the de-
lays have been greater on the part of
Great Britain than those caused bv the
United States. He says that the British
Commissioners have reported that there
is no danger of serious diminution of
seals and that therefore the necessity of
the moduS viVendi is not apparent
Still he would not object TO the prohibi-
ton being limited to zone of not more
than thirty miles around the Pribyloff
islands, provided that the catch on the
islands be limited to 10000.
In his note OF March 7th, Sir Julian
presents arguments in support Of Lord
SaliSbury's refusal to accede to another
moduS vivendi.
He says that it was first agreed to. un-
der stipulation, that the measure could
not be repealed, and that there is no ap-
parent danger to the seal species
He adds that the zone proposed is more
extensive than that mentioned by Blaine.
on March l6, 1871, and the anticipation OF
conflicts, which was considered in the
note of May 4, 1891, has been met by the
provision of the Behring Sea Act Of the
Supreme Court and the order in council.
In his response, sent yesterday, Assist
ant Secretary Wharton states that the
President notices with the deepest regret
the indisposition of her majesty's Gov
ernment to agree upon an effective modus
CiUeltCii for the preservation of seals in
the Behring Sea, pending a settlement of
the respective rights of the two Govern
ments in these waters and in the fur seal
fisheries therein.
A letter of February 29th from Paunco-
fote to Blaine acknowledges the receipt of
Blaine's note of the 24th respecting the
renewal of the nl0dltS UfUe7edl and states
that its contents has been telegraphed to
the Marquis of Salisbury. Salisbury's
reply was stated to be that "he Sails
bury had received no information to
show the necessity for renewing the
modUS UiUendd.'
The letter of March 7th renewed the
proposal contained in Pauncefote's letter
of February 18th to prohibit, as pre-
cautionary measure for this season, all
killing of seals within zone extending
not more than thirty nautical miles
around Pribylof Islands, such prohibi-
ton being conditional on the restriction
of seals to be killed for any purpose on
the islands to a maximum of $1,000.
1t is learned that Secretary Blaine'S ILL
ness prevented any consultation with
him on the Salisbury note opposing the
ply thereto, dated the Sth inst, trans
mitted by Mr.. Wharton, was in fact
written by the President.
The arbitration treaty submitted to the
Senate by the President reciteS the desire
OF the Government of this country and
England for an amicable settlement of
the questions concerning the jurisdiction
rights of the United States in Behrinp
Sea, also the preservation of fur seal in
the sea, and the rights of either country
as regards the taking of seal in the sea.
Therefore, the questions to be submitted
TO the Arbitration Committee, composed
of seven, two to be named by the Presi-
dent OF the United States, two by Queen
Victoria, and one each by the President
of the French republic, King of Italy.
and King of Norway and Sweden.
The treaty provides for the time and
place OF meeting OF the arbitrators: the
various points to be submitted: for the
filling OF vacancies that may exist on the
committee; for the employment of neces-
sary clerical assistants etc, and binds
this country and England to consider the
findings of the tribunal as a full. perfect
and final settlement of all questions re-
terred.