The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-03-09
President Harrison Tells Britain Some.
thing Must Be Done for the Seal.
Either the Modus Vivendi Must Be Renewed at
Once or the United States Will Take Steps
to Protect Her Own Interests.
The Subject Discussed By the Cabinet
and the Senate In Secret Session.
Many SolOns Bitterly Opposed to Ratifying the
Arbitration Treaty Until England's Pre-
mier Gets Down from His High Horse.
REPLY TO SALISBURY.

REPLY TO SALISBURY.
President Harrison Insists That Something
Must Be Done to Save the Seal.
Special TO the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, March S-Unusual inter
est was to-day attached to the regular
meeting of the Cabinet. because it was gen.
orally known that the President would
consult with his heads of departments
about the refusal of Lord Salisbury to con-
time. on the part of the government of
Great Britain, the modus vivendi limiting
the catch of seal in Behring sea, pending
the decision of the international board of
arbitration. The facts have already been
set forth, but need repetition. that the
treaty providing for this board
of arbitration is yet to be ratified
by the United States Senate and
by the British Parliament; that the
existing agreement limiting the catch of
seal will soon expire; that q fleet of seal
ing vessels of twice the number ever before
equipped is preparing for An invasion of
Behring sea next season; that the conclu-
sion lof the board of arbitration, which is
to be composed of two representatives
from the United States, one from England.
one from Canada and one each from
France. Switzerland and Italy. cannot be
reached for many months, and that in the
meantime. unless the catch of seals
is restricted, as under the pres
eut modus. to which Salisbury
announces he will not agree. tho race
of seals will become extinct, so that there
will be nothing left to arbitrate about.
Moreover, the end of the modus viendi be-
tween Great Britain and the United States
might lead to the seizure of Canadian
preachers in the sea over which the United
States government claims exclusive juris-
diction, and such seizures might result In
serious complications. and. in a remote
contingency, In actual hostillties. These
were the serious questions which mainly
occupied the attention of the meeting of
the Cabinet to-day.
JOHN BULL MUST BACK DOWN.
The result of the meeting is. in brief.
that the thoroughly American attitude of
this administration. which was so brilliant
~ illustrated during the controversy with
the pIgmy Chilli, will be made equally en-
phatic in our dispute with the giant power,
Great Britain. Your correspondent has
the authority of one of the members of the
Cabinet present at the meeting to-day for
stating that President HarrlsonoirscciseAs
the nnlmous approval OF MS onciai
household for sending q cable dispatch
through Minister Lincoln to Lord Sails
bury. The substance of this dispatch is
that this government, having assented to
a treaty providing for the submission of
the questions a. issue In the Behring sea
controversy To arbitration, would insist that
pending the result of such arbitration there
should be no destruction of The thing of
most value under arbitration. namely. the
seals themselves. The only Interpretation
of this cablegram is that the United States
replies TO Great Britain By insisting upon
q continuance of the essential features of
the modus vivendi, which is the preserva-
ton of the race of seals. Salisbury may
answer this as he pleases. but there is no
question that what is unotficially termed
OF the State Department his "ins0lence and
arrogance" will meet with absolutely no
regard from this administration.
There were present at the meeting to-day
all the members except Secretary Blaine,
who is sick, and Foster and Noble. who are
out of the city. The session lasted about
an hour and half, being concluded at
shortly after / o'clock. The Cabinet, It is
said, discussed the question whether or not.
under the conditions that exist now, the
recently negotiated treaty of arbitration
shOnld be cent to the Senate, and it was
decided in the Affirmative. 1t was asserted
that it would not do for the United States
government, after having proposed arbi-
tration. TO withdraw from the arrangement
made by its representatives and that of
Great Britain. to carry that proposition
into effect. whatever position the other
party might assume.
WILL ACT FAIRLY.
This government, it was further stated,
must show it's good faith in the matter.
Other means than the abandonment of the
proposed arbitration could be found, and
doubtless would be under the new condi-
tions arising out of the refusal of Great
Britain to renew the modus vivendi by
which the seal herds could be protected
pending progress of the arbitration. Pres
ident Harrison, it Is said, fully realizing
the necessity that exists for expeditions ac-
tion If there Is to be any effective protec-
ton of the seals against peaching this sea-
son, will endeavor to reach an understand
ing with Great Britain as soon as possibl
Should Salisbury persist In his refusal
to again renew the modus viveudi after re-
ceiving the reply TO his note sent to- day it
is probable the President will notify him
that the laws of the United States against
Illegal sealing will be enforced against oil
vessels offending and the usual proclama-
lion warning poachers OF the sealing wa
tiers will be issued. The programme, how
ever. will depend largely upon develop
ments from time TO time. They may be
such as are entirely unforeseen al present
and, therefore, it cannot be stated with
any degree of definiteness now.
An associate of member of the Cabinet
said to-day: 1T is understood thoroughly
that Salisbury's attitude in this Bebring
sea controversy is intended for what would
be called In American congressional phrase
home consumption Salisbury's sole de-
sign is. as the leader of the Conservative
party In Parliament. TO make all the CAPT
tai he can out of an appearance of bull
doing the United States The English
Premier Will not be able to maintain his
clustering attitude for more than few
days. There is no danger; indeed may
say there is no possibility. of war. This
of saving the seal industry from destruc-
tion and at the same time of preserving all
the claims of this country as to its rights
in the Behring sea. as obtained by purchase
frorl Russia. which are to be submitted TO
arbitration"