The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1892-04-02
FISHERIES DISPUTE.
THE UNITED STATES AWAIT
ING SALISB CRY'S An
SWER.
Matters to Remain in Statu Quo Until 1t
Arrives-Additional Light Trewn Oh
the ContrtEersy-YieWs OF Well.
Informed Men.

Washington. March 26.-One resul
OF the discussion of the BeLriug Sd
treaty IN the Senate executive session
has been to clear up a good deal o.
misrepresentation in the minds of the
majority of the Senate as to the dis
pute between the United States and
Great Britain. 1t would have been
we'll, according to one of the most
broad-minded and far-sigl.ted Sena.
bates, if the public could have been in
formed upon these points, for the po-
pular ignorance upon them, it ap-
pears, prevailing in England as well
as in the United States, if the editorial
comments of the London newspapers
are to be taken as guide, is very
great.
For instance, the suggestion is
thrown out by an English paper that
the objections made by Lord Salisbury
to a renewal Of the modus viyendi
would be completely overcome by au
agreemen. by the United States to pay
any damages sustained by the sealing
vessel owners III the event that the
arbitrators decide that the claim of
the United States to jurisdiction is
not well founded. The same view has
been expressed in the Senate il the
course of the debate. but the few Sena-
tors who were informed as 10 what has
already taken place have called at
tention to the fact that tlis question
has already been fully discussed by
The n 49, ..- Il FL. -.l
Salisbury.
As far back as last June the Presi-
dent, through Mr.. Wharton, suggested
that the question of the liabilities of
each government for damages inflicted
upon their citizens or property be left
to the decision of the arbitrators. Up
On this proposition
THERE WAS MUCH CORRESPONDENCE,
the British government in effect declin-
Ing to commit itself to the doctrine
tina. it was responsible for the acts of
its subjects, which, in the language Of
Lord Salisbury, %"lnvolves the PROPOSE
ton that her Majesty's government
are liable to make good losses resulting
from the wrong action OF persons sail
ing outside of their jurisdiction under
the British flag
The United States government had
been willing to drop altogether the
belligerent question ofdamages, but in
sisted that il it were to be considered
at all the question submitted shall also
include the determination of loss in
hlcted upon the United States through
the illegal killing of seals by British
subjects. AS the correspondence on
this point threatened to continue so
long that the arbitration treaty could
not be completed, the President CON
sented to a modification of his PROPOSE
ton, leaving to future determination
the question.
At tits point the damage question
rested at the date of the signature of
the treaty, and it has not since been
touched upon in the correspondence.
These facts have been set out by mem
bers of the committee on foreign rfla-
tons and other Senators in answer to
the arguments of Senators that the
British government would doubtless
consent 10 Il renewal of the niodus vi
vendi if it could assure the Canadians
against any loss from the illegal sci
Znlc OF tier vessels.
1t was argued on the part of these
Senators that, as Great Britain had
made an agreement with the govern
meht OF Sweden and Norway for ale
protection of the seals on the coasts of
those countries, and had also consent
al To an agreement with France look
ing to the regulations of the fisheries in
the North Sea, She would be willing to
enter INTO ANY lair arrangements With
the United States of this nature. In
this connection some extracts from the
correspondence we've quoted as Ell
dence OF Losd Salisbury ) original ideas
on the subject.
When the modus vivendi was ne
gotlated iast year lie said 70 the House
OF Lords FORMERLY seals were ON
mon Oh the coasts of South America
ard SEINE Of the Falkland Islands
now they ale hardly to be found there.
1t seems 10 us That the proposition il Il
reasonable one, aud we should be fully
lucurIlng the censure, not only of the
Unitesl States, but the civilized world
If BY holding TOO closely to any teehri
cal j shts weshould run tie lish Ut til