The morning call., 1892-03-27
England EndeavOrS to Avoid Response.
bility for the Seized Sealers.
SlLISBURY'S UNRELIABLE DIPLONiCY.
Limited Liability from Great Britain for Losses, but
Strict Accountability Frem the United
States.
Special 10 THE MORNING GALE

tween tue Y 0l[eG states ana treat Britain
by the discussions in the executive sessions
Of the past week. 1t would have been well.
according TO one OF the most broad minded
Senators. if the public could have been
tIuthfully informed upon these points, for
popular ignorance prevails in England as
well as iu the United States, if the London
newspaper comments are any criterion.
I For instance. it was suggested that if the
United States would consent TO pay the
damages sustained by the seal-vessel
owners in the event of the arbitrators de-
Gliding that the claim of the United States
was not well founded, Lord Salisbury would
renew the medus viveudi. 1t is learned
now that as far back as last June the Presi-
dent suggested that the question of the
liability of each Government for the DAM
ages inflicted upon citizens or property
should be left TO the decision of the arbi-
traitors. The British Government declined
10 commit itself to the doctrine that il was
responsible for the acts of its subjects,
which, Ia the language of Salisbury, sin
wolves the proposition that her Maiesty's
Government is liable to make good the
losses resulting from the wrong action Of
persons sailing outside their jurisdiction
under the British flag" The United States
Government would have been willing TO
drop the question Of damages, but insisted
that III 1t was to be considered. the question
submitted should also include determina-
ton OF the loss Inflicted upon the United
States through the Illegal killing Of the seals
by British subjects.
Ffxiag the Liability.
The President finally consented to modi-
fcatiOn. which is included in the treaty per-
mitting the two Governments TO submit to
tue aTbltTat0rs the facts bearing upon the
claims for damages, and leaving to the
determination tian If
liability. The damage question was in this
condition when the treaty was signed, and
has Rot since been touched upon in the cor
respondenee. 1t was argued on the part of
those Senators who SAID that the British
Government would doubtless consent to a
renewal of the modus vivendi il il could as
sure the Canadians against loss from the
Illegal seizure Of their yes sells. that as
Great Britain made an agreement with the
Governments OF Sweden aud Norway for
the protection of the seals on those coasts,
and also consented to al agreement with
France looking to the regulation Of tue
fisheries of the North Sea, she would be
willing to enter into fair arrangement of
the same nature with the United States.
When the mOdus vivendi was negotiated
last year, Salisbury said IN The Lords. refer
ring 10 the determination of seals: ut
seems 10 us on the whole that the proposi-
ton Is a reasonable ole, and We should
fcolIshly be incurTing censure, not only of
tile United States. but Of the civilized world.
if, by sdhering too closely to any technical
right, We should run the risk of the destruc-
tion Of this valuable industry and valuable
animal. Much CT the speculation in the
Senate was caused by the sudden change of
mind by Salisbury. His ostensible reason,
refusing a renewal OF the modus yivendi, is
the representations of the Commissioners
sent to Alaska, 10 the effect that there is no
peeessity for q renewal. The real reason, it
Is believed by number Of Senators, is his
disposition TO use his present position TO
gain cencessions from the United States
Upon other points OF controversy, such
as the unsettled claims for damages,
TO favoraby impress Canada with
Ehe apparent indisposltion 10 heed
her demand, and 10 avail himself of the
present opportunity TO retaliate upon this
Government for the alleged infraction of
the spirit OF last years mOdus in permitting
The North American Commercial Company
30 kill more than 1900 seals 1t Is believed
that these reasons will so far influence Sal
Bbury as to prevent a renewal Of the modus
On terms the same as last year, but not TO
determine him 10 continue in his efforts to
use force to protect the sealers for actions
Of whic he has declined TO assume the re-
eponsibilty.
A Renewal Probable.
A Cabinet officer said to-day that he felt
confident that Great Britain would consent
to renewal of the modus vivendi Of last
year, or, IL not, she will not interfere or re-
Tie 6l1Elo Oh luto GOFcIuDeDb 10 pre-
Serve the seals pending arbitration. Moth
Ing further than that published has been
received from Lord Salisbury.
The fact that it was practically decided
by tie Senate TO ratlfy the aTbItrat on
treaty only upon terms in eons0nance with
the policy and attitude of President Harri-
son in demanding that the modus viyendi
be renewed, come what may, shows that
tie Government considers itself strong
enough 10 cope With any question or any
power, under any circumstances.
Tie terms OF ratification in themselves
constitute an uliimaIum to Great Britain as
much as did the Presidents letter OF March
22 10 Lord Salisbury. Because Of the fact
tEat no reply had been made by the Eng
Hsh Premier 10 conclusive action has been
taken, though the Navy Department is not
abstiDg its energy in preparing 10 protect
the seals, not only in the Bering Sea,
but within the three-mile limit along the
Alaskan shore. 1t is significant that the
signing of the ratification of the treaty has
been deferred.
No HostiIities Feared.
New YORK, March 26 The Mall and
Express London special says: At the For
ejgn Office no anxiety apparently exists as
70 tie ultimate establishment of the entente
cOrdIale with the United States, aud all SEN
timent permitted TO find expression is depre-
eatory OF Eostiities.
Admiral Selwyn Of the British navy, at
the Everett House, to-day was asked about
the BeringsSea controversy. He arrived on
the Majestic. and ID on his way 10 visit Mex
leo. For fifty eight years he has been in
active service. he was with Sir Edward
BelcheT's expedition TO San Francisco in
1887. His prompt answer was: There will
be no war between England and the United
States, no matter what the present outlook
portends. / look upon the controversy as
politics mefely, for know England does not
desire TO have the seals exterminated. what
ever the cry may be now for a mOdus vivendi
The question OF q mare clausum or a
sea limit, is one that should be settled
definitely. Now the mare clausum for the
United States is that portion Of the sea
within IA miles from the shore, because
long range guns can shoot that far. Formerly
1t was only three miles, but as bigger guns
have been made the limit has been ex-
tended"
Off"
"War on the ocean will soon he thing of
the past. This Berng Sea matter will be
settled amicably. believe. but politics will
be played little in the meantime"
Resentfng Kussia's Interference.
LONDON, March 26.-Referring to the re-
ported entente between Russia and the
United States in the Boring Sea question,
the st. James Gazette to-day says: Both
sides know the United States is not going to
war with Great Britain, but we cannot allow
Russia TO interfere.
Some of the London papers fear conflict
will be preeipitated by the indiscreet action
of naval officers.
Vice-Admiral Salmon has written let
ter, published to-day, In which lie asks: IF
both American and British officers execute
their instructions. how can collision be
svoided?"
ARRESTiNG ANARCHISTS.