The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-03-09
TO OPPOSE THE TREATY.
BEHRTNG SEA MATTER IN SENATE
Considerable Opposition to the Arbitration
Proposal Manifested by Some OF tho
Western Senators.

WASHINGTON, ID. c.. March s.-The Behring
sea arbitration treaty was sent to the Senate
to-day by the President. and at $3.50 o'clock
the Senate went into executive session to con-
slider it, on motion Of Mr. Sherman, chairman
of the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Tho message Of the President and the full
text Of the treaty were read. There was moth
ing Of an important nature in the Presidents
lotter, it being simply letter Of transmittal
and containing no recommendations or sug-
gestions.
ANIMATED DISCUSSION.
, After short, concise explanation OF what
the treaty proposed and an appeal TO the SEN
ate concerning theurgent necessity for speedy
aclon had been made on behalf Oh the admin
lstIatlOn by prominent senator an animated
andinterestng discussion. free from acrimony.
however, followed on the subject matter Of
lle uocument, and some Of the remarks made
showed disposition on the part of some sem
ators, particularly among those from the Pa
cHhc COAST, towards earnest opposition
TO ITS approval, il not 10 ITS con-
slderauon. Several senators were I'M
compromising IN their attitude. They held
that there was not question o. 20 the right
OF the United States TO tho water acquired
4A'A4 iAtto-lt Nv iue Alaska treaty OF l'uf. anu
commended that the submission OF this right
10 the decision Of foreign arbitrators was
coWardly surrender on the part Of this
country. Ratification under these clrcum-
stances they resented bitterly, Another argu-
ment against ratification OF the treaty was
that one of the arbtrators. Italy. has 10
friendly feeling toward the United States on
account OF the New Orleans affair.
ARBITRATION URGED.
On the other hand number Of senators
urged arbitration on the ground that by the
ratification treaty Great Britain was commit
ted TO a recognition of the claim of this cOun-
try 10 the waters OF Behring sea. held under
the Russian title. This Great Britain had
heretofore refused to admit. Much feeling.
general IN character. was manifested over
the omission from the treaty of clause re-
newing the mOdus viyendi. and some senators
urged that the refusal ID do this during the
pendence OF arbitration proceedings justified
the United states III directing its armed YES
sells 10 seize any sealers, without regard 70
nationality. found violating the present law
for the protection of seals.
The discussion lasted more than an hour.
and ended without reference of the treaty 20
the Committee on Foreign Relations. But
tO-days discussion IS only the beginning of
the opposition which will probably arise
when the treaty s brought before the Senate
for consideration. The correspondence on
the negotiation proceedings was not sent to
the Senate.
ACTION AT THE CABINET MEETING.
This being the regular day for the meeting
Of the Cabinet a session was held for the first
time in two weeks. There were present all
the members except Secretary Blaine who is
sick and Senators Foster and Noble. who are
out Of the city. As was expected Behring-
Sea matters were the principal subject under
discussion. The session lasted about an hour
and half, being concluded at shortly after
o'clock. Immediately upon Adjournment
President Harrison sent the treaty pro-
posing arbitration 3 of the .HBehrinx x-Sea
controversy to the Senate for its coz
sderatiOn. IN the course of the meeting
the reply TO Lord Salisburys note in which
he announced his unwillingness to further
extend the mOdus ylyendi OF last year, was
presented and discussed. and later delivered
to Sir Julian Pauncefote. the British minis
ter, through whom Salisbury notes had been
communicated % this Government lt is said
that the reply, while expressing regret at the
action Of His LOriship. very broadly and
firmly intlmates the ability and intention of
the Government of the United States 70 pro-
tect the seal and other property rights
claimed by II in the Behring Sea by virtue of
the treaty of 1867 with Russia
The reply is said 10 bea dgnifed. but an en-
phatic statement of the rights Of this country
In the territory under discussion.
OUR GOOD PATH.
The Cabinet. it is said. discussed the ques
ton whether or not. under the conditions
that exist now, the recently negotiated treaty
of arbitration should be sent O the Senate
and il was decided in the affirmative IL was
asserted that it would not 10 for the United
States Government. after having proposed
arbitration. 10 withdraw from the arrange
ment made by its representatives and that of
Great Britain 10 carry that proposition
into effect, whatever position the other party
might assume. The Government II was fur
ther stated, must show its good faith in
the matter Other means than the abandon
ment of the proposed arbitration could be
found. and doubtless would be under the
new conditions arising out of the refusal
of Great Britain q renew the mOdus Ylvendi
by which the seal herds could be protected
pending progress of the arbitration. Presi-
dent Harrison said fully realizing the
necessity that exists for expeditions action if
there is u be any effective protection Of the
seals against pOaching this season he will en-
deavOr 20 reach an understanding with Great
Britain az soon as possible. Should Lord Sal
isbury persist in his refusal 10 lOin in mOdus
yivendi after receiving the reply 10 his recent
note sent to-day II IS probable that the Iresi-
dent will notify him that the law of the United
States against illegal sealing Will be enforced
against all vessels offending aud the usual
proclamation, warning poachors of the seal
inc waters. will be issued. The programme.
however, will depend largely upon develop
ments from time TO time. They may be such
AZ are entirely unforeseen at present. and
therefore it cannot DO stated with any degree
of dehniteness now.