Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1892-03-31

mum tiiS Out 20 n11lC rnS taxing OF
seals to the neces sites of the natives of thoss
islands; and it cannot consent that with iniem-
nifty or without the contested rights OF British
subjects to catch seals in the Behring sea shall
be exercised pending the arbitration The
president finds it difficult to believe that Lord
Salisbury is serious in proposing that this gov
eminent shall take separate bonds from the
owners of about 100 Canadian sealing vessels to
indemnify it for the injury they may severally
infict upon our jurisdiction or property and
must decline to discuss a suggestion which only
has respect for Lord Salisbury and his belief
that his lordship has due appreciation of the
gravity of this discussion to enable hum to treat
it with seriousness
We should doubtless have to pursue and cap
ture upon the sea many of the owners of those
vessels to secure the bonds suggested, and as
the condition is to be that the oblgors shall pay
ANY damages which the arbitrators may ad-
Judge, while the treaty gives the arbitrarors
no power to adjudge any demand. the transac-
ton would be without responsibility to the
obligors and without value to Us.
This government cannot consent to have
what it believes its rights destroyed pending
the termination by an agreed tribunal, however
adequate the security offered. The reference
in my last note to the inconsistency of her
majestys government in denying responsibility
for the acts of the Canadian sealers was not in
tended to suggest willingness ON our part I'M
der any circumstances to our property con-
verted into claim for damages and particu-
larry as Sucu a Claim cannot now De heard de-
termined by the arbitrator5 without a reforma-
ton of thu treaty; for his lordship must re-
member that while he now offers what he mis-
takenly calls security for satisfying any dam
ages which the arbitrator may adjudge.'' he
has already carried his point in the treaty that
the arbitratorS shall have no jurisdiction to
award any damages.
As to his lordship's suggestion that Canadian
sealerS may have some claim for compensation
if Great Britain shall restrain pelagc sealing,
the president directs to say that he is not
able to how the citizens or subjects of
either of the treaty powers can by any rule of
law or equity support any claim against their
respective governments growing out of such
necessary trade restraints the governments
may lawfully impose to promote til larger con-
siderations OF public good and international
peace.
The suggestion that the conclusions of the
board of arbitration may not be reached and
announced in time to govern the conduct Of the
parties during the season of 1898 is, I think,
fully provided against in the treaty itself.
His lordship is mistaken as to thu time that
has lapsed since the signing of the Delagoa Bay
agreement with Portugal. 1t is not four years
Old but less than one, the date of signing being
June l3, 1891. If the present treaty is promptly
ratified and exchanged mutual interest
would be a simple guarantee against delay
The president has found no obstacle in the way
of such contamination except the belief,
unfortunately very prevalent here. that tho
walton of the status quo Of the property during
the arbitration, ana her ins1stence that pelagiG
sealing shall so to the injury, if not destruc
ton of our rights, largely defeats the object OK
the treaty.
The president directs me to say in conclusion
that the moduS of last year is the least THAI
this government can accept In reason the
straints after treaty cf arbitration Should br
more absolute, not less He does not desire to
protract this discussions and having now TO
most friendly spirit submitted the considera-
lions which support the just demand of this
government that the property which is the sub
ject of an agreed arbitration shall not be sub
jected to spoliatiol pending the arbitration, ks
expresses the hope that Lord Salisbury will
give prompt and friendly assent to renew the
modus. The president will hear with
regret that her majssty's governments
continues to assert right to deal with this sub
jet precisely as if no provision had been ms1e
for a settlement of the dispute; and in that
event, this government as has already been
pointed out will be compelled to deal with he
subject upon the same basis and to use every
power to protect from destruction sericu7
injury to property and jurisdictional rigfitn
which it has long claimed and enjoyed.
have the honor to he. with the highest con-
sideration. sir, your obedient servant,
tSignedl VIM. F. WHARTON,
Acting Secretary.