The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1892-03-22
Nature of salisbury's Reply Unknown.

WASHINGTON, March 21.-The nature of
the reply of Lord Salisbury to the last note
from the state department relative to a re-
newal of tie modus vivendi for the con-
duct of the seal fisheries in Behring sea is
known to nobody in Washington except
the President, the British minister and q
few officials of the department of state.
Even Republican members of the Senate
committee on foreign relations and the
House committee on foreign affairs, usu-
ally informed promptly Of any new phase
in negotiations, are in ignorance of its con-
tents. The conclusion is drawn by some
from this omission on the part of the ad-
ministration TO inform them upon the sub
ject is the note is inconclusive as to the
main point of the controversy, namely, the
extent OF protection to be afforded seal life
in Behring sea. 1t is believed if Salisbury
mad acceeded to the request of the Presi-
dent for renewal of the modus vivendi,
the TACT would have been immed-
lately communicated to the Senate.
The BELIEF OF Senators is he made the note
the vehicle for an extension of his argu-
ment that thirty mile limit of protected
area proposed by him is amply sufficient to
A4OOS Ill INC hCOCooAl4cS VI ZIG CdSt. OUS
Senator declared emphaticallyit was ''only
play for time on the part
Of the British government" His
theory is the government will ulti-
mately consent to renewal of the modus
vivendi. but will delay action so long that
the agreement will be made Ineffective
through departure for the seal grounds of
large numbers Of Canadian sealing vessels.
This view finds many adherents among
no ofolHr 4
this policy should become clearly defined
the Senate Will be unit in supporting the
administration in most energetic effort TO
enforce the laws on the statute books rela-
tive to the protection of the rights of the
United States in Behriug sea.
1t is impossible to obtain any official in
formation concerning the note received
from Lord Salisbury yesterday on the Ben
ring sea question. One rumor that has
many believers is that Lord Salisbury has
answered the Presidents note, insisting
on the necessity of the moGus Vivendi,
with counter proposition that in case one
ID agreed upon the United States shall
agree to indemnify Canadian vessel owners
for losses incurred thereby. The United
States has already rejected proposition OF
this kind.
General Foster, representing the state
department in this matter, had two inter-
views with the President on the subject to-
day, and the impression is general that
they considered the character of the reply
to be made to Salisbury. 1t is pretty well
established that the President is not dis
posed to recede from the position already
assumed in regard to the preservation of
the seal herd, and will take steps to secure
that end with or without the consideration
OF the British government.
Another report in circulation tonight is
to the effect the communication is merely
short dispatch stating q reply proper to
Acting Secretary Whartons note Of the
Sth inst. is being prepared and is nearly
ready, and will be adverse to the request
for a modus vivendi. According to the
same report, the communication further
says, in effect, the British government will
not interfere with the policing OF Behring
sea by United States vessels pending the
negotiations for settlement Of tbs ques-
tons at issue by arbitration, though it may
hereafter ask for damages in behalf OF
such Canadian sailors as may suffer by
seizure or interference by American yes
Selg