Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1892-03-25
SITUATION IS SERIOUS
Ex-Minister Phelps on
The Sealing Question.
TINE TO STOP THRILLING.
Steps Taken Toward Protecting Beh-
ring Sea by Police Boats.


dence on The BehUng sen question c0utin-
ues 10 occupy ttt attention Of senators
and representatives as wen ~ diplomats
and politicians IL is conceded on an sides
that the PRESIDENT attitude iu hc late &
phase Of tho controversy is imprognab,e.
lie occupies thoroughly American posi-
tOn, and while it Is not defiant i'm tone or
expression, il Is, ncrert heless. a statement
Of thc position OF this government which
every patriotic citizen will sustain, and is
indicative of the strong belief tLat the
president wonld b. justified I'm going 20
any length to protect thc seal fisheries
pending the discussion OF territorial iuris-
diction by the arbitrator.
EXMinister Phelps OF Vermont, who
will be ono of the arbitmtors FOR the
United States in event Of the ratification
of the treaty, and who has been in fire.
quent conference with the president on
this subject said yesterday that he re-
gauled the present situation as ono
Threatening serious Complication
should England insist upon her conten-
tiou. Much stress is laid upon the Ian
guage employed in the closing paragraph
OF the presidents letter, In which he says
that il the moius vivendi be not renewed
he will not be responsible for any conse-
qucnces that may follow. in thc mean
time, however, the president will continue
the vigorous preparations for tho enforce
ment of the policy OF the administration
in protecting American rights and prop
erty in those waters
The secretaries Of the navy arl treasury
have been directed 60 take the necessary
steps TO dispatch suliicieE, naval force
not only to police but 10 control those
waters against all comers. rhc instruc-
lions will be very explicit aud viii leave
nothing 10 the discretion Of the officers.
Their orders will be to capture and con-
fsca.e all vessels engaged In these enter
priScs, regardlcss OF nationality Tho
members of the foreign affairs committee
are Of opinion that the decisive stand
taken by the president VIII have the effect
of letting the English government and
British subjects understand that this
Diplomatic Triuing Must stop.
aud a final solution OF the controversy
must be had without furthec- -daysy, Il. is-
also believed that the policy ef thc. pre,i-
dent, as firmly announced, Nff hayca
tendency 20 deter the invasion of the Behr-.
ing sea.
Tie diSpatclng oi feet TO those
waters will entail upon the government n
heavy expense, as the United Stet,- viii
be compelled 70 bear il alls II o. u)lus
yiycndi were extended fog 8uotICr yeW
England would bear her share as last
year. This. IL Is believed. il one Of the
reasons which aIe aetuHtiug the coui OF
the British government ia refusing %
unite with this government in protecting
the seals FROM cNtyrMirpti1u Eug'aQl
would like to have the United ~ tics ba3r
all the expense and in addition r,iWblr,
- a . 4
ing cut OF this controversy
The Behring sen arbitration treaty came
before the Sc ite yesterday in the shape OF
n report from. the committee on foreign re-
latiOns
Recommending Its Ratification.
Senator Sherman, who made the report
pointed 10 the advantage that would ac-
crrc TO the United States from n diplo-
matte standpoint, through acquicscencc
in the submission Of the Questions at
issue TO arbitration, aud showed how
Great Britain, 10y a refusal 10 consent 10
renewal Of the modus viyendi, would be
placed IN an unenyiablc light before tho
world as guilty OF double dealing anl an
improper purpose In spuctoning the de-
struction Of the very subject Of urbitfa-
ton.
Other members OF the foreign relations
committee spoke in a similar. strain. The
main topic OF discussion, however, was q
resolution reported from the committee
on foreign relations TO accompany H.. This
resolution assures tho president of the
support OF the senate in his expressed purs
pose to defend American rights IN Behr-
ing sea 20 the full extent Of the national
power The discussion was free from
"jingoism," but received quiet aul set
tied determination on tbrplrt OF the sen
ate to maintain the dignity OF The nation
ami protect its rights.
The opponents of the trc1,y, who ere
principally w,. terra wea. voiced their oJ.
jections to the surrender o. eHequirf
rights. and the indie atioa tr, shat al.rr
further discussion The trcau wiz be Tit-
lied