Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1892-03-27
SALEBURY'S REASONS
Fer Declining to Enter Into a ModuS
ViVeldi Agreement.
HE WISHES TO IMPRESS CANADA
With he Idea that Hs is Working for Hsr Inter-
sss-Hs is Also Piqued Because tAs North
American Commercial Co. Vas Permitted
to Kill Too Many Seals Las. Tear.

WASHINGTON, ID. C., March S6.-One re-
suIt of the discussion of the Bering Sea ar
/ h-ration treaty by the Senate IN executive
session. during the past week, has been TO
clear up a good deal Of m apprehension IN
ths minds OF the majority Of the Sen
ators as 20 the points involved IN
fbe DISPUTE between the United States and
Great Britain. IL would have been well,
according 10 one Of the most broad-minded
and far-sighted Senator's who has taken
mart in the debates, the public could have
been also fully informed upon these points
for the popular ignorance upon them, II ap-
pears, prevails in England as well as IN the
i United States, If the editorial comments OF
tine London reN'spapers are 10 be taken as
guide.
For instance the suggestion is thrown
olt by an Eaglish paper that the objections
made by Lord Salisbury 70 a renewal OF
the mOdus vivendi would be completely
overcome by an agreement by the United
States 70 pay any damage sustained oy the
scaling vessel owners in the event that the
arb;trators decide that the claim Of the
United States 10 the jurisdiction IS not
well founded. The same view has been
expressed in the Senate in the
course Of the debate, but the few Senators
who were informed as % what has already
taken place have called attention 70 the
'act that this question has already been
fully discussed by the Department Of State
and Lord Salisbury.
As far back as last June the President,
through MIR. Wharton, suggested that the
|cuestion or the liability Of each govern
ment for damages inflicted upon their citi-
zsus or property be left 20 the decision OF
the arbitratCrs.
T-pon this proposition there was much
correspondence. the British Government
ir effect declining % commit itself 70 the
doctrine that it was responsible for the
acts Of its subjects, which IN the language
az Lord Salisbury, involves the PROPOSE
ron that Her Maiesty's Government are
liable 10 make good losses resulting from
the wrong action of persons sailing out
side OF their jurisdiction under the British
faC
It was argued on the part Of the senator's
tba. as Great Britain had made au agree
ment.1vith the governments Of Sweden and
Norway for the protection OF the seals on
the coast Of those countries, and had also
consented 70 in agreement with France
looking 70 the regulation OF the fisheries ~
the North Sea, she would be willing 70 enter
into any fair agreement with the Cnlteu
States Of the same nature.
Lord SaisOury's Ostensible reason Tor
the refusal 70 renew the mOdus vlven0l IS
me representations OF the commissioners
sent TO Alaska last summer by his govern
reut 10 the effect that there was no neces-
s.-v for its renewal. The real reasons,
however. are believed by a number Of
Senator's 10 be, first, disposition TO use
his present position TO fun ADVANTAGE in
|sec6ring concessions from the United
States upon other points in the contro-
versy, such, for instance, as the claims
for damages which remain unsettled;
sscopd. 10 favorably impress Canada
with an apparent disposition 70 heed her
demands; aud, third, 70 avail himself OF
the present opportunity 10 retalate upon
tbis government for its alleged infraction
OF the spirit OF the mOdus vlvendi last year
in permitting the North American Com
,rercial Company TO kill more than 1900
seals permitted by the terms OF that agree
ment.
m is believed that these reasons will so
far influence Lord Salisbury as 70 prevent
the renewal of the mOduS vivendl IN the
same terms as the last document, but not
70 determine him 20 resort 20 force 70 pro-
tect the scalers, for whose actions he has
declined 70 assume the responsibility.