St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-03-06
MAY FIGHT FOR SEALS.
The Behring Sea Dispute is
Assuming a Very Serious
Aspect.
Lord Salisbury's Proposition
Unfair, Arrogant and In
sulting.
If Adopted 1t Would Mean the
Quick Destruction of All
Seals,
Leaving Nothing to Be Arbi-
trated--PoachePS Prepar-
ing to Move.

WASHINGTON, March s. The Behring
sea matter has assumed a most serious
phase, aud public officials make no at
tempt to disguise their grave concern
at the outcome. 1t was developed today
that Lord Salisbury's proposition with
regard to the present season was not
only to open Behring sea outside of a
thirty miles limit off Pribyloff island to
indiscriminate sealing, but to limit the
catch within that belt, including, of
course, the shores of the island, to
10000 seals. In the language of
a prominent Official, this PROPOSE
ton is wholly unfair, arrogant,
and even insulting to this country"
1t is contended by experts that the
opening of Bering sea for one season in
the manner suggested would result in
the speedy determination Of the seal
species, and that there would be moth
ing to arbtrate. AS one official. eX-
pressed it, sit would be like arbitrating
the ownership of something that had
gone out of existence.
The news from British Columbia that
the sealing fleet is making preparations
fol unusually extensive operations this
season is confirmed at the state depart
ment. Inquiry developed the fact that
the number of vessels prepared to en-
gage in sealing this year is more than
double the number so engaged last year.
Notwithstanding the Behring sea was
closed last year and was patrolled by
naval vessels of Great Britain and the
United States, the catch of the poach-
ers within its waters aggregaten
Nearly 10000 Seals.
and it is this fact that inspires the off
Gals of this government with the belief
that the opening of the sea to the extent
proposed by Lord Salisbury, with so
MANY more poacherS at work, would in
evitably result in the total destruction
Ct the industry before next fall,possibly
before the questions at issue could even
be submitted to arbitration. 1t may be
stated as fact that this government is
not at all disposed to allow this to be
done without making a vigorous and de-
termined effort to prevent 1t.
Unless Lord Salisbury recedes from
his present position and consents to a
renewal of last years modus vivandi re-
stricting the catch Of seals to such as
are regarded as necessary for the well
fare of the natives, it will be necessary
for this government to undertake alone
the protection of the seals by the en-
forcement of the laws bearing on the
subject. 1t is probable that special
meeting of the cabinet will be held
Monday for the purpose of considering
this subject and deciding upon plan OF
action in case of Lord Sallsbury's in
sistence on his last proposition. 1t is
quite clear from inquiry at the
capitol that, with the exception OF
few members of the house and
senate committees on foreign relations,
the senators and representatives are III
state of ignorance of the present con-
ditions of the negotiations between the
United States and Great Britain respect
ing the seal fisheries. There is among
them very general but erroneous I'M
preston that the treaty of arbitration
lust made between the two govern
ments includes all the questions at issue,
and that while the arbitration is in
progress, the sealing waters are to re-
main
Uninfested by POachers
without further stipulation. Therefore,
Ihey have relieved their minds from
further concern in the matter and have
failed utterly to perceive the vital ne
ceSsity Of renewing for at least another
year the modus vivendi or agreement
which is about to expire by limitation,
and by the operation of which the seals
in Behring sea were last season partially
protected from destruction. Many of
the senators also believe that the arbi-
tration treaty contains clause renew
Ing the modus vivendi, forgetful OF the
fact that if this were SO the president
would not now be engaged in a strenu-
Gus efforts to prolong its life, in order
that a least a few of the seals may be
preserved as the subject for arbitration.
This ignorance of the real state of af-
fairs at the capital is partially eXcusable
on the ground that the treaty itself has
not yet reached the senate, and, indeed.
it may be limited by some members that
unless the British government evinces
disposition to act with fairness in the
matter of the modus vivendi it may
never be sent TO the senate by the presi-
dent. While this deplorable contingency
Is not believed to be near at hand, the
few congressman who are Informed as tC
the exact situation express privately
their grave concern at the outlook,
and fear that if the treaty fails and the
contentious of the two nations relative
TO the rights of their subjects in Behr'
ing sea revert to the status they occu-
pied at the beginning of the negotla-
tons several years ago, very serious
international complications may be eX-
pected.
May BE Hot for Poacherss
The discussion of the subject has had
the effect to attract the attention not
only of the general public but also OF
enterprising vessel owners, and the
latter, allured by the hope OF
large profits from seal-taking in
the northern waters are making prepar-
ations for moving toward Behring sea
in such numbers as to warrant the be-
lief that unless the movement is
promptly and vigorously checked the
seal rookeries will be completely de-
populated.
tons committees as are conversant
with the subject are of the opinion that
the United States cannot permit this or
ganized system of poaching to be
resumed, and that, falling in its effort
to secure renewal of the modus vi
yendi, in justice to the half-starved ma
tives of the seal islands, if not from a
regard for the dignity Of the nation and
the rights of the lessees of the island,
the government will proceed, as soon
as the season opens, to police the wa
tiers of the Behring sea with powerful
and effective feet, and seize all poach-
ing vessels, regardless of nationality or
of the protests of Interested nations.
While the adoption of such course
might appear to be an invitation to dis
pute, and perhaps to more sRrlons con-