Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-01-07
THE AGREEMENT BROKEN.
Lord Salisbury Demands Further Modlh'
cations-The Feeling at Washington.

Lord Salisbury Demands Further Modln-
cations-The Feeling at washington.
WASHINGTON, January 6.-When, on
November 10 last, Attorney General
Miller made the announcement before
the Supreme Court OF the United States
that basis for arbitrating the Boring
Sea difficulty had been reached, he was
saying what, OF course, was at the time
strictly true.
An agreement seemed to have been
arrived at as to the different questions
TO be submitted to the arbitrators. The
only matter open for further consider
alton was the manner in which the ar
bitrators were TO be selected and their
number. This, it was confidently be-
lieved would present no serious Difficult
ty. On both sides of the Atlantic graft
fcatlon was expressed at the prospect OF
a speedy termination OF the pending
difficulty.
What Attorney General Miller then
announced in the course OF his argu-
ment In the Sayward case, however, no
longer holds good. 1t will be remem-
bered that the agreement he spoke or
was not formal one. In other words,
IL was not In the nature Of regularly
signed treaty. 1t was simply series or
propositions agreed upon by Secretary
Blaine and Sir Julian Pauncefote. re-
duced to writing, which had received
the sanction on the one hand OF Presl-
dent Harrison. and on the other OF Lord
Salisbury. All this has now been upset
by the demands on the part OF Lord
Salisbury for a further modification OF
the agreement reached in November.
Precisely what the nature OF these de-
mands is it is impossible to ascertain at
present. That they are touching minor
points, however, not heretofore raised
by him, seems pretty certain. To that
extent they appear frivolous and insin-
cere, rather than based upon sound
premises. Indeed, they suggest in an
unpleasant manner the policy OF delay
which has characterized Lord Salic-
bury's conduct throughout these nego-
tistions, and which, II it was not in
tended as such, most undoubtedly re-
suited in serious loss, financial and
otherwise, to the United States.
But for the lateness in the season at
which the modus vivendi was agreed
upon, it would have been impossible for
the Canadian poachers to make the
Roadway they did last year. In this re-
spect Lord Salisbury was playing d.
rectly into their hands at the expense,
of course, Of the United States. His
present attitude seems TO have no other
object in view. The sealing season
opens in May next. By that time the
outfits Of the poachers will have been
completed and they will be ready TO sail.
II Lord Salisbury, with his frivolous
objections, is able to delay them until
then the formal signing Of treaty and
Its ratification by the Senate, he will
have gone far toward intlicting tell
ing blow upon what was once pros
porous American industry and source
of no inconsiderable revenue to the Gov
eminent.
There is much complaint and COM
paint well founded, because Of the linn
tied power conferred by Lord Salisbury
upon Sir Julian Pauncefote in the nego-
tiations of these matters. Lord Sails
bury insists upon having every detail
submitted TO him. This in itself is a
source of much delay; it furnishes, at
any rate, a pretext for postponement.
1t has done so in the past and will con-
tinue to do so in the future.
There is good reason for believing
that the patience of this Government is
exhausted. 1t would be premature,
perhaps, to say anything definite at the
present time, but means will not be
wanting, when required, to compel a
more prompt consideration Of the
questions at issue on the part of Lord
Salisbury.