The record-union., 1892-03-17
Special TO the Rnconp.unror.

special TO the RECoRD-UNIoN.
WAsHrNGToN, March 1G.-Acting Sec
retary Wharton was to-day instructed to
inform the British Minister that tina
President desires to know at as earIy a
date as possible the intention of The.
British Government in regard to the pro-
posed renewal of the modus yivendi of
last year for the preservation of the seal
fisheries pending the settlement by arbi-
tfatlon OF the question of the jurisdic-
uonal rights of the United States in the
Behring Sea. The British Minister was
requested to call Lord Salisbury's atten-
ton to Wharton's note of the Sth inst,
insisting on the necessity of the modus
yIvendi, with the suggestion that the
President would like to have a response
as soon as possible that he might act un-
derstandingiy in the matter.
The Presidents desire for speedy
action is said to be due to the fact that it
IS essential that he should know whether
Great Britain will cooperate in keeping
seaiers out of Behriug Sea, as otherwise
the execution of that0uty, falling solely
on the United States, will neceSsitate the
making OF arrangements that can be
scarcely effective unless completed at an
early Gay. The character OF instructions
to our naval and revenue vessels des-
tined for duty in the Behring Sea this
season will depend almost altogether on
the attitude to be assumed by Great Brit
tam, and as the vessels will have TO be in
the vicinity OF the sea by the lst of May
1t will be seen there is very little time to
spare III preparations.
RUSSIA WILL PROTEST.
A report that comes through a very re-
Ilaole diplomatic source says that Russia
has been observing the progress of mat
ters between the United States and Great
Britain with great interest. Russia will
protest against any arbitration treaty for
three reasons:
First-That Russia conveyed Alaska
and all the rights and privileges now
claimed to the United States for a money
consideration. Russia cannot stand still
unheard when by arbitration the right of
the imperial Government to take the ac-
tlon IL dld Is, by implication, to be called
in question by European powers.
Second-Russia stands readyto guaran-
tee ali she conveyed to the United States,
and make good her title in any manner
necessary. Russia feels that for the
United States to permit the title to what
she had conveyed to be arbtrated is to
call that title in question, and to intimate
that there was lack of authority TO make
such conveyance. This, If persisted in,
must inevitably affect the standing of the
empire among treaty-malling powers.
To this Russia will not submit. Alex
ander, Emperor and King, will not per-
NIT any proceeding of Russia to be thus
treated.
Third-f any power of Europe claims
or implies that the Russian Czar conveyed
to the United States with Alaska rights
and privileges that We're not his to convey
Russia demands, under the comfy of ma
tions, that she be permitted to deal with
any such claimant, and not that an impe-
rial ukase of her late imperial ruler, Alex
ander H.. be allowed to be placed in con-
tempt, thus lowering the standard of the
empire among nations and permitting
powers not interested nor a party to the
conveyance to pass upon Russia solemn
treaty made and ratified by that nation
and the United States. This the Car
asks as his right under the equities be-
tween the two nations.