Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1892-03-31
OIvan 10 a. pnhlic

WASHINGTON, D. c., March 26.-The state
department transmitted to the British min
lister the reply to Salisbury's refusal to Join
this year, as last, in protecting the seals. It
says:
1T is known TO this government that seal
ers have hastened their departure to escape
the notice of a possible modus vivendi and
that every day almost adds to the fleet that
must now be oyerhauled at sea These YES
sells Will, If not stopped and turned back, 90
INTO Behring sea and pursue to the very
shores of our islands and slaughter mother
seals seeking the rookeries to be delivered
OF their young. This Is a crime against ma
ture. This government expects to show, If
arbitration proceeds, that female seals con
stltute the larger part OF the catch of pelagic
sealers. That in view of this serious conten-
ton by this government, his lordship should
assume that another years suspension of
snch sealing Is not necessary to prevent an
undue dimunition of the seal herds, and
should insist that, pending arbitration. It
shall go on precisely as If no arbitration had
been agreed upon, Is as surprising as it is
Disappointing. If her majesty's government
so little respects the claims and contentious
of this government as to be unwilling to for
bear for single season TO disregard them,
the president cannot understand why Lord
Salisbury should have promised and agreed
to give TO those claims the dignity and stand
ing which reference TO high court of arbi-
tratiOn implies. From the moment arbitra-
ton was agreed upon, neither party was at
other. For it must not be forgotten that if
her maJesty's government proceeds duung
this sealing season upon the basis of its con-
tentlon as to the rights of Canadian seal
ers, no choice Is left to this government but
to proceed on the basis of its confident con-
tenhons that pelagic sealing in the Behring
sea Is an lnfractlon of its jurisdiction and
property rights. His lordship will hardly
fail to see this. Herein, in the opinion of
the president, consists the gravity of the pres
ent situation, and he Is not willing TO be
found in any degree responsible for the re-
suits that may follow the insistence by either
government this season upon the extreme
rights claimed by it. In his opinion it would
discredit, IN the eyes of the world the two
great governments involved, If the ,Paltry
pronts OF single season should be allowed
to thwart or even disturb the honorable and
friendly adjustment OF their differences,
which is so nearly concluded. But, if his
lordshlp shall adhere to his refusal TO unite
with US IN prompt and effectual measures to
stop pelagic sealing and shall insist upon
free sealing for British subjects, the question,
as It effects this government, Is no longer one
OF pecuniary loss or gam, but one of honor
and self respect. The president finds it diff
cult to believe that Lord Salisbury is serious
IN proposing that this government shall take
separate bonds from the owners of about 100
Canadian sealing vessels to indemnify it for
the injury they may severally intiict upon its
Jurisdiction or property, and must decline to
discuss the suggestion, which only his respect
for Salisbury and his belief that his lOrCship
has due appreciation of the gravity of this
discussion. enable him to treat with serious
ness. This government cannot consent to
have what it believes to be its right destroyed
or impaired pending their determination by
an agreed tribunal, however adequate the
security offered"
As to his lordship's suggestion that Cana
dian sealers may have some claim to COM
pensation if Great Britain shall restrain Pc
laglc sealing, the president directs me to say
that he Is not able to see how citizen or
subject or either of the treaty powers can by
any rule OF law or equity support any claim
against their respective governments growing
out of such necessary trade restraints as the
government may lawfully impose TO promote
larger conditions of public good and interna-
tional peace. The suggestion that the con-
illusions OF the board OF arbitration may not
be reached and announced in time 10 govern
the conduct OF parties during the season OF
1893 Is, the president thinks, fully provided
against By the treaty itself. If the present
treaty Is promptly ratified and exchanged,
our mutual interest would be an absolute
| guaranty against delay. The president has
| found no obstacle IN the way of such consuun-
| nation, except the belief, now unfortunately
prevalent here that the refusal of Great Britain
| 10 agree to the preservation of the status quo
during arbitration, and her insistence that
pelaglc sealing shall go on to the injury if not
| destruction of our rights, largely defeats the
object of the treaty.
The president directs me to say, IN eonclu-
| sion, that the modus of last year Is the least
/ this government can accept. In reason, the
-NSNAaAAe9 amer a treaty VI d 14ALdlAou 1uOulu
be more absolute, not less. He does not de-
/ sire to prOtract this discussion, and having
now, IN the most friendly spirit, submitted
/ the considerations which support the just de-
/ mand of this government that the property
| which is the subject of agreed arbitration,
/ shall not be subject to spOllation pending az
/ bitranon, he expresses the hope that Lord
Salisbury will give prompt and friendly as
sent TO renewal of the modus. The presi-
i dent VIII hear with regret if her majesty
/ government continues TO assert its right to
/ deal with this subject precisely as if no pro
! vision had been made for the settlement of
| the dispute, and in that event this govern
meat will be compelled to deal with the sub
| Jet on the same basis and use every means
in its power to protect from destruction OF
serious injury the property and iurisdictional
| rights which it has long claimed and enjoyed.