The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-03-27
TO Crafty CANADA.
Why Lord Salisbury Refuses to
Renew MOdus Vivendi.
HE WILL YIELD PRETTY soon
The Corwin at Port Townsend on Her
Way to Boring Sea-Albatross TO Be
Transferred to Revenue Marine.

~
sion as to the points involved in the dis
pute between the United States and Great
Britain by the discussions in the executive
sessions of the past week. It would have
been we'll, according to one of the most
broad-minded senators, if the public had
been truthfully informed upon these
points, for popular ignorance prevails In
England as well as in the United States,
if London newspaper comments are a crl-
terion. For instance, it was suggested that
if the United States consented to pay the
damages sustained by the sealing vessei
owners in the event of the arbitrator de-
Gliding that the claim of the United States
is not well founded, Lord Salisbury would
renew the modus vivendi.
1t is learned now that as far back as last
June the president suggested that the
question of the liability of each govern
ment for damages inflicted upon citizens
or property should be left to the decision
of arbitrator. The British government
declined to commit itself to the doctrine
that it is responsible for the acts OF its
subjects, which, in the language OF Lord
Salisbury involves the proposition that her
majesty's government is liable to make
good losses resulting from the wrong action
of persons sailing outside their iurisdic-
ton under the British flag"
The United States government has been
willing to drop the question of damages,
but has insisted that if it Is to be consid-
cred. the question submitted should also
include determination of the loss inflicted
upon the United States through the illegal
killing of seals by British subjects.
The president finally consented to
modification. which was included in the
treaty, permitting the two governments to
submit to arbitrator the facts bearing
upon the claims for damages and leaving
to them tine determination of the question
of liability. The question was in this con-
dition when the treaty was signed, and
has not since been touched upon in the
correspondence.
1t was argued on the part of those sena-
tors who said that the British government
would doubtless consent to a renewal of
the modus vivendi if it could assure the
Canadians against loss from the illegal
seizure of their vessels, that as Great
Britain had made an agreement with the
government of Sweden and Norway for
protection of the seal seasons on those
coasts. and also consented to an agreement
with France looking to the regulation of
fisheries in the North sea, she would be
willing to enter into fair arrangement of
the same nature with the United States.
When the modus vivendi was negotiated
last year, Salisbury said in the house of
lords, in referring to the determination Of
the seals:
1t seems to us, on the whole, that the propo.
sition is a ressonable one, and we should be
fully deserving the censure not only of the
United States, but of the civilized world, if by
adhering too closely to a technical right we
should run the risk OF the destruction of this
valuable industry and valuable animal.
Much speculation in the Senate is
caused by the sudden change of mind of
Salisbury. His ostensible reason for q
refusal of the renewal of the modus
vivendi is the representations of the COM
missioners sent to Alaska to the effect
that there is no necessity for renewal.
The real reasons are believed by number
of senators to be disposition to use his
present position to gain concessions from
the United States on other points of con-
troversy, such as the unsettled claims for
damages, to favorably impress Canada
with the apparent disposition to heed
her demand and avail himself of
the present opportunity to re-
taliate upon this government for
an alleged infraction of the
spirit of last years modus in permitting
the North American Commercial Com
pany to kill more than 1900 seals. It is
believed that these reasons will SO far in
huence Salisbury as to prevent a renewal
of the modus on the same terms as last
year, but not to determine him in an effort
to force England to protect the sealers, for
whose actions he has declined to assume
responsibility.
NEW YORK, March 26.-Admiral Selwyn,
of the British navy, is at the Everett
house. He arrived on the Majestic. and is
on his way to visit Mexico For fifty-
eight years he has been in active service,
and was with Sir Edward Belcher's expedi-
ton to San Francisco in 1887. Today he
was asked about the Bering sea contro-
versy. His prompt answer was:
There will be no war between England and
the United States, no matter what the present
outlook poriends. look upon the controversy
SIS polite merely, for know England does not
desire the seals exterminated, whatever the cry
may be for modus vivendi. The question OF
mare c!cusun, or seal limit is the one that
should be settled definitely. Now the mare
cldJsUm for the United States ia that portion of
the sea within sixteen miles from shore because
long range guns can shoot that far. Formerly
It WAS three miles, but as bigger guns have been
made the limit has been extended
Then you think that war is not to ha
thought OF?
War on the ocean will soon be thing of the
past This Boring sea matter will be settled
amleabiy, believe, but politics will be PLAYED
q little il the meantime.
LONDON, March 26.-Referring TO the re-
ported entente between Russia and the
United States in the Boring sea question.
the s. james GG=ettc today saws: Both
sides know that the United States is not
going TO war with Great Britain. but we
can't allow Russia to interfere.
Some London papers fear that a conflict
will be precipitated by the indiscreet action
OF the naval officers. Vice-Admiral Sal
mon has written a letter 10 publisher To-
day IN which he asks if both American
and British officers VIII execute their in
structions.
SAN FRASCIsCo, March 26.-The United
States cruiser Yorktown arrived this
morning from San Diego. Cal, and an
chored IN the harbor. When asked if he
had received any orders as to the destina-
tion Of the Yorktown, Commander Evans
said:
cannot say that expect any until reach
the navy yard.
There is some talk of sending your vessel to
Bering sea.
Well, if orders come for us to 60. We shsIl do
so, and without delay. There are no repairs
necessary outside OF having the hull cleaned
aad that IS not so very foul and will take only a
short time our most interesting period xss
during our stay in Chilean waters, but we did
nothing more than prepare ourselves for any
orb fa,H f,1~-