Daily tobacco leaf-chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1890-1895, 1892-03-10
sent TOCONGRESS
The Correspondence in the
Behring Sea Matter.
StipulationS of the Expiring
ModuS Vivendi,

Fishing Season Opens.A
WASHINGTON, March 10-President
Harrison Wednesday sent to congress
tho correspondence in the Behring sea
matter which has accumulated since the
date of the last publication. Jan. 5. 1891,
and some notes of previous dates which
have not hitherto been made public.
it begins with note from Mr.. Blaine
to Sir Julian Pauncefote May A, 1891, in
Which he reviews the negotiations for a
mt,dus vivendi pending the result of
arbitration; concessions made by the
president in consequence thereof; recital
of the obligations imposed on the North
American company, in return for the
settling privileges which makes it neces-
say that they should be allowed to take
limited number Of seals contrary to the
claim of Great Britain that sealing
should be absolutely prohibited on DO 1
si6es, and submits terms of agreement on
thit basis.
On the next day May 5, Sir Julian ac-
knowledged the above, of which copy was
mi led and the precise terms telegraphed
to London. He deprecates alleged d.
lay; refers to previous interviews; men
titns the exception taken at the two con
ditions, that the right to kill a certain
number of seals was reserved for the
American company, and that modus Vi
vendi was not to be put in force until
ar aroitration was agreed upon and eX-
presses satisfaction that the latter con-
dition has been removed May 26 Mr..
Atee wrote to Sir Julian, pointing out
reasons for which a prompt reply is de-
sired; revenue cutters have been or
deled to proceed to the fisheries and the
orders would be made definite by the
conclusion of an agreement. May q Sir
Julian regrets delay and makes excuse
on the ground of the lateness of the pro
pcsal.
The Modus Vivendi.
The proposal for modus vivendi by
the British government was submitted
June 3. 1t contained the following stip-
ulations:
tirst-The government of Great Britain
and of the United States shall prohibit,
III til May, 1892, and will, to the best of
their power and ability, ensure that sub
iects and citizens of the two nations, rc-
spectively, and the vessels flying their
IttptCUlNG Z HdSS Snail ODStINt budU DIOnlDl-
tit n.
'Second-During the period above speci
fed the United States government shall
have the right to kill $500 seals.
Third-Consuls may at any time be APP
pointed to the islands in the BeLring sea,
ard the United States government will
grant an 'eXequatur" to any such
consuls.
Fourth-Unless the assent of Russia be
obtained to this convention, it shall not
come into operation.
On the same date Sir Julian assents TO
the first five questions submitted by Mr..
Blaine an April IA, heretofore printed;
makes a counter proposition in respect
of question sixth, and Of compensation
for damages sustained.
Substitutions.
The next day, June 4, Mr.. Wharton,
under directions of the president, pro-
poses substitutes for subdivisions Nos.
l and 2 of the British proposal for
modus vivendi; takes exception to SUI
division No. 3 relative to the appoint
ment of consuls, and objects decidedly
to the condition No of the previous
assent of Russia. Suggests that the
navies of both nations enforce the agree
ment when it is concluded. The
changes submitted by Mr.. Whartou's
note were:
First-The government of Great Britain
81 all prohibit, until May, 1892, the killing
OF seals in all that part of the Behring
sea lying east, eastwardly or southwardly
OF the line described in Article of the
convention between the United States
al pnCcin nf Iota Morpb
will promptly take such steps as are best
calculated effectively to insure the observ-
ance of this prohibition by the subjects
and conclusions of Great Britain and all
vessels flying its flag.
Second--TLe government of the United
States shall prohibit, until May, 1899, the
k ling of seals in that part of Behring sea
above described, and on the shores and
islands thereof, the property of the United
States Gn excess of $500 to be taken on
tie islands) and the government of the
United States will promptly take such
steps as are best calculated effectually to
insure the observance of this prohibition
b7 the citizens of the United States and
the vessels flying its flag.
In further correspondence between
Mr.. Wharton and Sir Julian Paunce-
fote, in June, they discuss suggested
provisions OF the treaty of arbitration,
and on June Is the proclamation of the
niodus vivendi was issued. On the 25th
OF June Mr.. Wharton writes to Sir
J Julian referring to Mr.. Blaines note of
Tee. II, 1875, proposing six questions
for arbitration, and presenting at length
the case of the United States in support
o. the claim to jurisdiction over Behring
sea, and Lort. Salisbury's reply. at equal
length, dated Feb. 81, 1890, which ac-
C companies the correspondence as sep
arate pamphlet.
In his note Salisbury objected to the
sixth proposition advanced by Mr..
Elaine, on the ground that it attributed
t. the United States special and abnormal
+ ghts and to obviate this objection Mr..
Wharton was introduced to propose the
fJllowing:
Sixth-If the determination of the fore
g going questions as to the exclusive juris-
diction of the United States shall leave
tae subject in such position that the con
cIrrence of Crest Britain is necessary to
the establishment of regulations for the
proper protection and the preservation of
nc fur seal in, or habitually resorting to,
toe Behriug sea. the arbitrators shall then
determine what concurrent regulations
outside Of the jurisdietional limits Of
tae respective governments are neces-
cary, and over what waters such
regulations should extend; and, to aid
tsem in that determination, the report OF
the joint commission, to be appointed by
the respective governments shall be laid
lefore them. with such other evidence as
either government may submit, The
tontlsating powers furthermore agree TO