Evening journal., 1892-03-23
ENGLAND IS OBSTINATE.
Her Reply to Our Behring Sea
Note Unsatisfactory.
THE PRESIDENT TO REMAIN FIRM.

He Prepares n sharp Response to Sails
bury and Is Backed Up by the Cabinet
i'm His Determination Not TO Recede
from the stand He Has Taken.
WASHINGTON, March est is understood
that both Lord Salisbury's reply to the note
Of the sth, and the presidents response
thereto, were before the cabinet for informa-
ton and consideration. Salisbury's reply
was found to be quite unsatisfactory, and
unanimous approval was given to the re
sponse prepared by the president. The lat
ter is said TO be an emphatic declaration of
the intention of the United States 20 main
tain the contention put forth in the CORE
spondence on the subject, which has been
made public. There is IN it no withdrawal
from the position heretofore assumed in the
controversy, and no assent is made to any
proposition repeated by Lord Salisbury
which had been previously rejected.
The reply Of Lord Salisbury and the presi-
dents response viii, it is said, be communi-
Gated to the senate committee on foreign
relations this afternoon.
A Proposition Once Rejected.
1t is still an open question what action the
senate will take regarding the arbitration
treaty. There is some division Of sentiment
about it, Certain Of the senators favor rati-
flying the treaty without regard to a modus
vivendi, while others think il ought TO be
rejected unless Lord Salisbury expressly
agrees TO another closed season. II is not
likely that the treaty may be amended by
the addition Of a clause providing for a
modus vivendi and in this form returned to
the British premier. Final action on it is
not likely to be delayed many days.
Prior to the cabinet meeting Acting Sec
retary Wharton, accompanied by Sir George
Baden Powell, one Of the British members
of the commission recently in session here
called at the executive mansion and had an
interview with the president. It was learned
that Sir George had come TO Washington
simply TO bid adieu to the officials with
whom he came in contact during the ses
sions Of the commission. He sailed for Eu
rope today.
A rumor that finds many believers is that
Lord Salisbury has answered the PRESIDENT
note insisting ON the necessity Of a modui
vivendi with a counter proposition that il
any modus vivendi agreed upon the Unitet
States shall engage TO indemnify Canadian
i hNo7lA wv AloaNnNArl AbA AoooIo
thereby, provided the arbitrators finally de
eide that the United States has no right Il
prevent pelagic sealing. The United State
has already rejected a proposition of thi
kind.
Phelps in Consultation.
The treasury department has delayed tn
preparation Of instructions to revenue cut
ters pending the Behring sea negotiation:
Last year the instructions originally sen
out had to be countermanded by telegraph
as the situation changed after they were d,
ivered in San Francisco. The treasury o.
ficials mean to wait this year, If possible
until the situation is finally determined.
Mr. Phelps, who was United States mil
ister to England during the Cleveland az
ministratioD, and who is now one of tn
government counsel in the Behring sea cas-,
visited the Capitol. He had long consu
tation with Senator Sherman, chairman
the committee on foreign affairs, and SEM
tor Morgan, one Of the Democratic member
Of the committee.
Mr.. Phelps met with an accident SON
time ago resulting in the fracture of one
the small bones in his left arm, and no
carries his arm in a black silk sling. It
understood he went over the Behring Sc
treaty with Senators Sherman and Morgai
but none Of the participants in the confe
ence could be induced to reveal what too
place.