The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-20
BERING SEA ARBITRATION
SPEEDY ACTION BY THE SENATE
ON THR MODUS VIvENDI.

The Convention Received by the Sen
ate Monday and Passed With Sub
stantial Unanimity Yesterday-The
Clauses Relative TO Damages the Only
Important Changes as Compared
With Last Years Agreement.
WASHINGTON, April l9-In his message
transmitting the Bering sea modus vivendi
convention TO the Senate yesterday, the
President said: "As the value and effect
iveness OF this agreement depends largely
upon its being put in force at once, 1 re-
spectfully request prompt consideration of
the subject by the Senate" The Senate
aoceded to this request with the greatest
expedition. The treaty was received yes
terday afternoon. referred to the committee
on foreign relations. which acted upon it
this morning, aud reported it favorably
this afternoon. Less than two hours was
the treaty discussed, and then 1t was rati-
fed with substantial unanimity.
As heretofore explained the modus took
the form of a convention or treaty because
it differed from last years agreement in the
conclusion of clauses relative TO damages
Bering sea arbitration treaty. The conven-
tion itself comprises seven articles the first
four OF which are precisely similar in
language with the modus vivendi of last
year, with the exception OF a change in
article l, OF the words 'until May next" to
'during the pendencv of the arbitration"
which governs the life of the modus vivendi
Britiy stated, these articles prohibit Great
Britain and the United States from seal
killing in Bering sea and on the seal islands
save 1900 seals to be taken on the islands
by the United States for the subsistence Of
the natives) during the arbltration provide
for the seizure Of offending vessels and
permit the residence of British agents on
the islands during the sealing season.
TWO NEW ARTICLES.
Articles and 6 are new and read as fol-
lows:
ARTICLE V. II the result Of arbitration be- to
affirm the right Of British seaers TO take seals
in Bering sea within the bounds claimed by the
United states under its purchase from Russia,
then compensation shall be made by the United
States to Great Britain Qor the use OF her sub
Jects) for absJaining from the exercise of that
right during the tendency Of arbitration upon
the basis Of such regulated and limited catch
or catches, as in the opinion Of the arbitrators,
might have been taken without an undue
diminution of the seal herds; and on the other
hand, IL the result of the arbitration shall be to
deny the right of British sealers to take seals
WlIlln SAID waters, then compensation shall be
made by Great Britain to the United States
tfor itself, its citizens and lessees)
for this agreement to limit the island
catch to 1900 each season, upon
the basis of the difference between this num-
Der and such larger catch as in the opinion OF
the arbitrators might have been taken with
out an undue diminution Of the seal herds.
The amount awarded, if any, In either case
shall be such as under all circumstances is just
and equitable, and shall be promptly paid.
ARTICLE VI.-Fhis convention may be re-
nounced by either of the high contracting par
ties at any time after Oct. 81, 1898, on giving
to the other party two months notice of its
termination, and ct the expiration of such
notice the convention shall cease to be In
force.
The seventh and last article simply pro>
vides for an exchange of ratifcations as
early as possible The treaty Is signed by
Secretary Blaine and Sir Julian Paunoefote
and is dated yesterday. 80 that to-day the
Senate has probably broken the record of
speedy action upon treaties,