Los Angeles herald., 1892-03-29
Bering Sea Negotiations Pro
ceeding Calmly.
Salisbury's Last Note is Very
Satisfactory.
The President and His Cabinet Well
Pleased With 1t.
The Renewal OF Last Years Modus
Vivendi q Foregone Conclu-
sion-The Question OF
Damages.
Associa ted Press DISPATCHES.

WASHINGTON. March Z0.-lt 1s said on
good authority that the president and
his cabinet are we'll pleased with the
conciliatory tone of Lord Salisbury IS
note of the 28th instant, and especially
as it is held to concede the point that
has been the principal point of conten-
tion-the renewal of the modus vivendi
of last year for the protection of the zeal
fisheries.
This alleged concession is believed to
be implied in his proposition to agree. to
modus in case the treaty of arbitration
is ratified, under the condition that each
government shall guarantee the other
for damages incurred through the sus-
pension OF sealing operations.
One official. who has been consulted
by the president in regard to the nego-
tiations, said he was probably pleased
with Lord Salisbury's admission that
Great Britain would hold itself liable for
damage resulting to the United States
through the modus vivendi, in the event
that the verdict of the arbiters is ad-
verse to Great Britain.
1t is said that, taking it altogether,
Lord Salisbury's note is satisfactory, as
indicating good prospect for an AMIGA
BILE settlement of the questions at issue.
Further correspondence will be neces-
sary to settle the method of determining
the character of the damage claims.
THE MATTER BEFORE THE SENATE.
Lord Salisbury's last communication
to the president, stating the grounds
upon which he would consent to renew
the modus vivendi, was laid before the
senate this afternoon. In transmitting
the paper to the senate the president
added to the formal letter statement
that Salisbury's reply was very satisfac-
tory, and that he was preparing suita-
BILE response. The character of this
response is indicated briefly in the
president's letter as being substantial
acceptance of Lord Salisbury's tender,
with few notifications that doubtless
will be arranged without difficulty.
There can be no question that the recep-
tion of the communication has largely
removed any doubt of favorable action
by the senate upon the treaty; and, in
fact, when an adjournment was had, it
was the general belief that the treaty
would be ratified tomorrow.
THE QUESTION OF DAMAGES.
Much of the debate today was devot-
ed to the question of damages that
might be awarded by the arbitrators for
or against this country. Senator George
took prominent part in the discussion
of this point, and, fortified by number
of authorities, proceeded to address the
senate at length, one of the features of
his speech being his eulogistic refer
ence to President Harrison's attitude in
the negotiations.
No specific prediction as to the amount
of damages was attempted, but senators
familiar with the subject cited figures
to show that the poachers secured 65, 900
sealskins last year, which meant the
destruction of over 1000 seals, mas
much as only small proportion of the
total number of seals killed at sea are
recovered. But it was believed that
not more than 10000 skins were taken
in Bering sea proper, and taking the
valuation of $40 per skin, the damage
we could rlghtfully claim for last years
operations of the poachers would not be
considerable.
On the other hand the loss sustained
by Canadian vessel-owners, admitting
that they were illegally excluded from
the seal waters, must have been much
larger than our own.
SALISBURY CoNTRADICTs BLAINE.
LONDON, March 28.-The correspon-
dence on the 3ering sea question,
printed here this morning, shows that
Salisbury wrote Sir Julian Paunceforte
February 9th, that he could not admit
the correctness of Blaine's statement
that England was responsible for the
delay in settling the sealing dispute.
He says the modus vivendi was granted
last year to prevent the entire destruc-
ton of the seals, but his government
does not think such a measure necessary
this year.
Continuing. he says: "You are au-
thorized to offer the government of the
United States the compromise suggested
by the British governments commits
sion. A speedy decision is necessary
as sealing vessels are already leaving
port"
SALISBURY NOT CONSISTENT.
The Star, commenting on the Bering
sea correspondence, says: ''The dis.
patches do not give Lord Salisbury the
better of it. He has not been consist.
ent. Mr. Blaine has. The Americana
have behaved as if they genuinely de.
sired to protect the seals; Lord Sails
bury as though he was afraid of offend
ing the Canadians, whose only desire il
to catch SEALS"
THE wARsPITE's MOVEMENTS.
SANTA BARBARA, March 28.-The Brit
ish cruiser Warspite sailed from here
today. her destination being Esquimault
In speaking of Bering sea matters, some
of the chief officers said 1t was improb
able that they would 60 to Bering seq
but would know nothing certain as tt
their movements until they reached
British Columbia.
| Horribly Msngled.
STOCKTON, CAL, March 28.-The man