St. Paul daily globe., 1892-04-19
new M0DUS VIVENDI.
Secretary Blaine and Sir Ju-
liam Pauncefote Sign the
Instrument.
Considered in the Senate and
Referred to Sherman's
Committee.
Salisbury Has Been Scheming
TO Avoid Paying DAM
ages.
Hot Debate Probable on Chi
nese Exclusion--A Blow
at Mileage.

WASHINGTON, April 1s.-The modus
vlyendi for the protection OF the Behr-
Ing sea seal fisheries during the pend
ency OF the arbitration. which has been
subject of negotiation between Secre-
tary Blaine and tsss British minister,
was brought to the capitol about
o'clock this afternoon. 1t appeared,
from reading the document in the SEN
ate executive session, that Mr.. Blaine
and the British minister have been
spending the time since March % last,
when the British government con
sented to renew the modus, in trying TO
phrase the conditions relative TO dam
ages SO as TO secure advaDta for their
respective governments. Indeed, il
appears that all the hesitation and
reluctance exhibited by GIeat Britain in
consenting TO the renewal was assume d
with the purpose of obliging this gov
ernment TO accept terms for the adjust
ment OF damages that would insure
Great Britain against heavy loss in the
event of a decision adverse TO her by
the arbitrators, and oil the other hand
would promise the assessment OF such
sum OF money against tile United States
as would go far toward healing the sore
ness still felt by British diplomats at
the formidable Judgment rendered
against them by the Geneva arbitration.
Secretary Blaine has been endeavoring
10 bring the statement of liabilities Of the
two parties back to the basis laid down
in Mr. WhartOn's note Of July % last,
while the British government has
sought to escape the direct responsible
itY for the
UnwarrantabIe killing
OF seals and for anything more than the
difference between the 1850 skins
which the lessees of the seal Islands
took aud the 100000 skins that might
have been taken had the modus of last
year notbeen enforced. s'rhis important
agreement was signed at IL o'clock this
morning at the residence of Mr.. Blaine,
who, on account OF the inclement
weather, did not 20 to the department..
flo at once took 1t over to the executive
mansion and laid it before the presi-
dent, who in the afternoon transmitted
it To the senate for its action.
The mOdus vivendi Is in the form OF
a supplemental convention to the treaty
OF arbitration recently negotiated and
ratified. 1t states that both govern
ments will prohibit, during the sealing
season. the killing of seal in that part
of the Behring sea lying eastward OF
the line of demarkation described In the
treaty of 1851 between the United States
and Russia, and the governments
will enioin their citizens and vessels 10
an observance of the agreement. The
United States is allowed to kill for he
subsistence of the natives on the islands
Of st. Paul and ST. George 700 seals,
under the same restrictions as were in
force last year.
The vessels of each OF the United
States or Great Britain or citizens OF
each country Offending against this
agreement may be seized by either Of
the high contracting parties, but As soon
as practicable should be handed over TO
the authorities OF the nation TO which
they belong. who shall have jurisdiction
to try the offenders aad Impose the pen
alties for the same.
In general, it may De said the docu-
ment is a renewal of the agreement of
1891, with the addition of clause pro-
viding tor the settlement OF damages
sustained by the Canadian sealers
through the interruption OF their bus
mess in case the arbitration is against
the United States.
Under this clause owners OF Canadian
sealing vessels have already begun to
file their claims with committee APP
pointed to receive ana present them.
But Gen. Foster, the agent of the
United States, who is preparing the
case for this government, and Hon. h.
j. Phelps, counsel, are leaving no point
uncovered and will be fully prepared to
meet the claims on this score in the
event that they shall ever DE pressed
for payment.