Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1892-03-31
1T WAS ADOPTED.
Ratification BY the Senate of the
Behrlng Sea Treaty.
THE VOTE on IT WAS UNANIMOUS.
But IT Was First Amended, Two Amend
ments Having neen Presented Iy SEN
Ator sherman The Views of Sem
ator Cullom Upon the Subject.

WASHINGTON, March 30.--Two hours
spent in executive session by the senate
yesterday afternoon sufiiced to complete
the consideration Of the Behring sea
arbitration treaty and il was ratified by
unanimous vote at the conclusion of
the discussion.
The debate itself was without incident.
Nj. sherman, who had the treaty In
charge, presented two amendments
which il was believed 10 be desirable
10 incorporate in the document and
they were agreed to.
One Of them provides that the argu-
ments and proceedings before the arbi-
traitors shall be Ia the English language.
This amendment was suggested 10 Sir
Julian Pauncefote day or two ago.
/ lie said that IL appeared proper, but
that he should like 10 secure the formal
assent of Lord Salisbury TO it. This as
sent came in the form of a cableRram
which was shown to the president by
the British minister and was at once
sent 10 Senator Sherman, who caused
the necessary amendment TO be incor-
porated in the treaty.
Exactly the same procedure was fol-
lowed in the case of the second amend
ment, which changes article II of the
treaty so as 10 require the arbitratators
10 make their decisions If possible with
in four months instead Of three from
the close of the arguments Of council.
This change was believed 10 be desr-
able In view of the magnitude OF the
subject and the enormous volume Of
testimony to be considered by the
arbitrators. The opposition to the
ratification, which had been very much
weakened yesterday, completely disap-
pearcd to-day and when the question
was taken directly on the resolution Of
ratification there were no nays, while
the ayes numbered ~, an unusually
large vote in the senate.
After the result had been announced,
the usual resolution notifying the presi-
dent of the action of the senate was
passed. and the consideration of the
treaty was complete. There was an air of
relief about the senators as they
emerged from the chamber where they
have been sitting behind closed doors
for SO many hours during the past two
weeks. All OF the1 were glad that
troublesome treaty had been disposed Of
at last
Senator Cullom admitted that he had
originally felt that IL should not be rati-
fed, as it looked like a surrender of our
legitimate rights. But upon reflection
he had concluded that 1t was the best
that could be done at this time, and he
believed that its ratification marked
distinct advance in civilization. Such
disputes as these, he said, would not
very many years ago have caused ma
tions TO fly at each others throats and
cost many lives. lie saw no reason
why. il we had just claim. we should
kear 20 submit ii 70 the decision of arbi
traitors.
lie also believed that the effect of the
ratification OF this treaty would be
larger than was commonly supposed,
for he thought II would lead 70 final
settlement of the long standing diff
culties which have arisen from the con-
flicting claims Of the United States and
Canadian fishermen on the Atlantic
coast.
The cabinet at It's meeting yesterday
practically agreed ia accept Lord Sails
bury's proposition for a renewal OF last
years modus vivcndi, with created al
terations as 10 the character of dam
ages, to be left to the determination CT
the arbitrators. II is said that the presi-
dent will communicate his views TO Sir
Julian Pauncefote in few days