The morning call., 1892-03-22
A Notification That He Is Preparing
an Official Reply.
ADVERSE TO The UNITED STiTES.
Claims for Damages for Selling Canadian Peach.
ers-PreSdent liarrisen's Policy approved
BY Leading Senator's.
Special 10 THE MORNING CALI.

WASHINGTON, March 21-It was cur
rently reported in official circles to-day that
the State Department had received dis
patch from Lord Salisbury In reply to the
note OF President Harrison of the Sth inst.
There is some ground for believing that the
reply contains an offer on the part Of the
British Premier to consent TO compromise
which will, in effect, embrace a modus
vlyendl differing but slightly from that
agreed to year ago and enforced during
the past season. The exact nature of the
reply 10 known to nobody in Washington
except the President. the British Minister
ana very few officials of the Department
OF State. Even the Republican members of
the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
ana the House Committee of Foreign At
fairs, who are usually informed promptly Of
any new phase in the negotiations, are in
ignorance of the contents. TIE conclusion
drawn by some from this omission on the
part OF the administration to inform them
upon the subject is that the note is not con-
elusive as to the main point of the con-
troversy. namely, the extent of protection
TO be afforded seal life in the Bering Sea.
Working for Delay.
1t Is believed that if Salisbury has ac-
ceded to the request of the President for a
renewal of the mOdus vivendi, the fact
would have been Immediately communi-
Gated to the Senate. The belief of the
Senators Is that he made the note vehicle
for the extension Of his argument for the
thrty-mile limit of protected area proposed
oy MIN, which he claims was amply suffi-
cient 10 meet all the necessities of the case.
One Senator declared emphaticalIy. lit is
only play for time on the part of the British
t,nVprnmgnt 10 hat q,
ernment will ultimately consent to a re-
newal OF the mOdus viyendi, but will delay
so long as the agreement can be made in
effective through the departure for the seal
grounds OF large numbers OF Canadian seal
lng vessels.
ms view finds many adherents among
the Senators, and 1t can be asserted safely
that If this policy should become clearly
defined the Senate will be a unit in sup
porting the administration in the most
energetic efforts to enforce the laws on the
statute hooks relative to the protection of
the rights OF the United States in Beriug Sea-
Another report was in circulation to- night
10 the effect that the communication was
merely short dispatch stating that a
proper reply to acting Secretary Wharton'S
note OF the Sih inst. Is being prepared aud is
nearly ready, and it will be adverse TO the
request FOR modus viyeDdi. According 10
the same report the communication further
says. IN effect, the British Government Will
Sea by the United States vessels pending
the negotiations for settlement of the
question at issue by arbitration, though IL
may hereafter ask for damages in behalf of
such Canadian sealers as may suffer by
seizure or interference by American vessels.
suppresstng the Poachers.
Another rGmor, that has many believers,
Is that Lord Salisbury has answered the
Presidents note, insisting ON the necessity
of modus vivendi with the counter propo-
sltton that In case one is agreed upon the
United States agree TO indemnify the Cana
thereby The United States has already
rejected proposition of this kind.
General Foster, representing the State De-
partment in this matter, had two interviews
with the President on the subject to-day,
and the impression Is general that they con-
sidered the character of the reply TO be
made 10 Salisbury. Ii is pretty we'll estab-
lished that the President is not disposed 10
recede from the position he has already as
sumed in regard to the preservation of the
seals, and will take steps TO secure that end
with or without the cooperation of the Brit
ish Government
The officials of the Treasury Department
are waiting with some impatIence the deter
minaiiOu OF the matter. as the entire fleet of
revenue cutters is ready TO sail for Berlng
See, but cannot leave owing to the fact that
sailing instructions have not yet been for
mulated.
sealers' Claims for Damages.
OTTAWA. March 21.-The following notice
10 owners and masters of British sealing
vessels has been issued:
Notice Is hereby given 10 all persons having
claims Tor compensation TOR loss or damage by
reason OF expulsion from or warning out OF Ber-
Ing Sea under the provisions of the modus
Vivendl between her Majesiy's Government and
that Of the Uniled States of Am-rIca during the
year 1891. that all the claims must be lodged az
the of1ce OF the Collector Of Customs at Vie
IL frn,a ftaf "A
this notice. Claims not lodged within the time
sp Gifted will not be considered.
CHARLES ii. TUPPER,
Minister OF Marine and Fisheries
The notice is dated March 2s. so that
sealers will have fully one month i'm which
to take action after the official notification
reaches British Columbia.