The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-03-06
SQUALLS IN BERING SEA.
DANGER OF A SERIOUS INTER
NATIONAL DISPUTE.


Lord Salisbury Inclined to Attempt
to Walk over Us in High Heeled
Boots-A Fleet OF Poachers Ready to
Swoop Down on the Seals-Men-of-
War to be Sent
WASHINGTON, March 5.-The Bering sea
matter has assumed a most serious phase
and public officials make no attempt to dis
guise their grave concern at the outcome.
IL was developed to-day that Lord Sails
bury's proposition with regard to the pres
ent season was not only to open Bering sea
outside Of the thirty mile zone from
the Pribylov Islands to indiscrimi-
nate sealing, but 60 limit the
catch within that belt including,
of course ,ythe shores Of the islands TO 80, 600
seals. In the language of a prominent off,
cial, their proposition lis wholly unfair, ar
rogant and even insulting TO this country"
1t is contended by experts that the open
ing of Bering sea for one season in
the==manner suggested would result
In the speedy determination OF the seal
species, and that there would then be moth
ing left to arbitrate upon, As one official
expressed it, lit would be like arbitrating
the ownership Of something that had gone
out of existence
PREPARATIONS OF THE SEALING FLEET.
The news from British Columbia that the
sealing fleet is making preparations for un-
usually extensive operations this season is
confirmed at the state department. Inquiry
developed the fact that the number of yes
sells prepared TO engage in sealing this year
is more than double the number 80 engaged
last year. Notwithstanding Bering sea was
closed last year and was patroled by naval
vessels Of Great Britain and the
United States, the catch of poach-
ers within its waters aggregated
nearly 10000 seals, and it is this fact that
inspires the officials of this government to
the belief that the opening of the sea to the
extent proposed by Lord Salisbury with so
many poachers at work would inevitably res
suit in the total destruction of the industry
before next fall, probably before the ques-
tions at issue could even be submitted to ar
hitration.
TO BE PREVENTED IF POSSIBLE.
It may be stated as fact that this gov
ernment is not at all disposed to allow this
to be done without making a vigorous and
determined effort to prevent It. Unless
Lord Salisbury recedes from his present
position and consents TO a renewal Of last
years modus vivendi restrictiRg the catch
of seals to such as are regarded as necessary
for the welfare Of the natives,
it will be necessary for this government to
to undertake alone the projection OF the
seals by the enforcement OF the laws bear
ing on the subject. 1t is probable that a
special meeting of the cabinet will be held
Monday for the purpose of considering this
subject and deciding upon a plan of action
in case of Lord Salisbury's insistence on his
last proposition.
AN ERRONEOUS IMPRESSION.
II Is quite. clear from inquiry az the capi-
tol, that with the exception of a few mem
bers Of the House and Senate committees on
foreign relations, the senators and repre-
sentatives are in a state of ignorance Of the
present condition of the negotia-
tions between the United States
and Great Britain respecting the
seal fisheries. There Is among them a very
general but erroneous impression, that the
treaty of arbitration just made between the
two governments includes all the questions
at issue. and that while arbitration is in
progress the sealing waters are to remain
uninfested by poachers without further
stipulation.
A FALSE FEELING OF SECURITY.
Therefore these have relieved their mihds
from further concern in the matter, and
have failed utterly to preceive the vital
necessity ot renewing, for st least another
year. the modus vivendi, or agreement,
which is about to expire by limita-
ton. and by the operation of
which seals in Bering sea were
last season partially protected from
destruction. Many of the senators also be-
ieve that the arbitration treaty contains a
clause renewing the modus vivendi, forget
full Of the fact that il this were so the Pres
ident would not now be engaged in a stren-
uous effort to prolong its life, in order that
at least few of the seals may be preserved
as a subject for arbitration.
SERIOUS COMPLICATIONS FEARED.
This ignorance Of the real O Of affairs
at che capitol is partially excu,uble on the
ground that the treaty itself has not yet
reached the Senate, and. indeed, it is limited
by some members that unless the British
government evinces disposition to act with
fairness In the N after of the modus vivendi
1t may never be sent to the Senate by the
President. While this deplorable contin-
gencv Is not believed to be near at hand,
few congressman, who are informed
as to the exact situation,
express privately their grave concern at the
outlook and fear that if the treaty fails aud
the contentious of the two nations relative
to the rights Of their subjects in Bering sea
revert to the status they occupied at the be-
ginning Of the negotiations several years
ago, very serious International complica-
tions may be expected.
FLEET OF VESSELS READY.
The discussion of the subject has had the
effect to attract the attention not only of
the general public, but also of enterprising
vessel owners, and the latter, allured by
promise of large profits from seal taking IN
the northern waters, are making prepara-
tions for moving toward Bering sea in such
numbers as to warrant belief that unless
the movement is promptly and
vigorously checked the seal rockeries
will be completely depopulated. Such
members of the foreign relations commit
tees as are conversant with the subject are
of the opinion that the United States cam
no. permit this organized system of poach-
ing to be resumed, and that, falling
in its efforts to secure a re-
newal of the modus vivendi, in
Justice to the half-starved natives Of the
seal islands, if not from regard for the
dignity of the nation and the rights of the
lessees of the islands, the government will
proceed as soon as the season opens to police
the waters Of BeriDg sea with a powerful
and effective feet and seize all poaching
vessels, regardless OF nationality or of the
protests Of the interested nations.
IN ACCoRDANCE WITH USAGE.
While the adoption of such a course
might appear to be an invitation to a dis
pute, and perhaps to more serious conse-
quences, it Is said by some members Of the
committees that it would really be In ac-
cordance with established diplomatic prac-
tice, which permits a nation. while its con-
tentions are the subject Of negotiation, to
maintain its ground until conclusion is
reached, with the understanding that il the
rae,Ylk NJ tha uaOotiations or arbitration ia