The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1891-1893, 1892-03-25

anu injustice Is added even it it should
be found possible to proceed with an
arbitration under such conditions. For
it must not be forgotten that if
her majesty's government proceeds
daring this seal season on the basis of
this contention as to the rights of the
Canadian sealers, no choice is left to
this government but to proceed upon
the basis of its confident contention
that pelagic sealing in the B-hring sea
is an infraction of its jurisdiction and
property. His Lordship will hardly
fail to see this. Herein, in the opinion
o the President, consists the gravity
OF the present situation, and he is not
willing to be found in an degree re-
sponsible for the results that may
follow the insistence by either govern
ments during this season upon the
extreme rights claimed by it. In
his opinion it would discredii
in the eyes of the world, the two great
governments involved if the paltry profits
of single season should be allowed to
thwart or even to disturb the honorable |
and friendly adjustment of their differ
ences which is so nearly concluded, but
if his Lordship shall adhere to his refusal
to unite with us in prompt aud effective
measures to stop pelagic sealing and shall
insist upon free sealing for British sub
jects, the question as it affects this gov
ernment is no longer one of pecuniary
loss or gain, but one of honor and self
respect.
This government, Notwithstanding
the fact that its right to take seals
upon the Pribylof islands is ndisputed
and wholly uninvolved in the arbitra-
ton has proposed to take no profit
from the island catch, but to limit the
taking of seals to the necessities OF the
natives of these islands, and it cannot
consent that with indemnity, or with
out, 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
ernment shall take separate bonds from
. the owners of ABOUT 100 Canadian
sealing vessels to indemnify it for the in
| juvy they may severally iuflict upon oul
: jurisdiction or property, and must de
T. | al; 20 cnyraStinp W hjrb Oul Z
L his respect for Lord Salisbury and hi:
belief that his Lordship has due appre
t citation Of the gravity of this discussion
= enable him to treat with seriousness
Il We should doubtless have to pursue an<
u capture npon the sea many of She owner
Il Of these vessels to secure the bonds sug
q gested and as the condition is to be tha
g the obligors shall pay any damage
IL which the arbitratOrs may adjud &c
"a while the treaty gives the arbitrators n
l. power to adjudge any damages, til
4 transaction would be without rs
:" " to the onligors and Of no value 10 us.
oe =, The reference in my last note to incon
sistency of her naj jesty's governmen
:, in denying responsibility for the act
~ of the Canadian sealers was not il
~ " tended to suggest a willingness on ou
sc ' part under any circumstances to Sc
~ our property converted into claiI
!, for damages, and particularly as sue
~ ~ claim cannot now be heard or d.
- " termined by the arbitrators without
r, formation Of the treaty.
As to his lordship's suggestion ths
Canadian sealers may have some clail
." for compensation if Great Britain sha
~. m restrain pelagic sealing. the Presider
:. directs me to say that he is not alb
- to see how the citizens or subjects
-" I'D either treaty powers can by any ru
~ 49, of law or equity support any clai
90. against their respective government
9" growing out of such necessary trade r
- straints as the governments may Law
~ fully impose to promote the larger co
III III sidera.ions of public good and intern
AL tional peace.
81 The Presidents directs me to say,
he conclusion, that the naoduS of last ye;
= is the last that this government C,
49,. accept. In reason. the restraints ait
N ~ treaty Of arbitration should be mo
... absolute, not less. He does not desi
|, to protract this discussion, and havir
-" " now in the most friendly spirit su
81, 90" mitted the considerations which su
-. port the just demand of this COVER
40 ment that the property which is t
~ =: subject of an agreed arbitration sh
' r not be subjected to spoliation pendi
- the arbitration, he expresses the no
: af that Lord Salisbury will give prom
: - and friendly assent to renew the mod
The President will hear with regl
a. that her Majesty's government CT
Ia tinues to assert right to deal W
; 70 this subject precisely as if no provisi
had been made for settlement of 4
) nf dispute, and in that event, this COVE
~, ment will be compelled to deal with
,on subject upon the same basis aad to
sro every means in its power to prot
from destruction or SpriOuS init