Evening journal., 1892-03-25
SALISBURY MAY CHOOSE.
He Has Three Alternatives in
the Behring Sea Case.
AND NEITHER PILL IsA GnDED ONE

He May Renew the Modus Nidcndi or
Keep His Hands oG while the United
States Protects Its Property and Its
Rights, or Have a Fight ON His Hands.
WASHINGTON, March q. Lord Salisbury
may renew the modus vivendi, keep his
hands of while the United States protects
its property and iurisdictionai rights in
Behring sea, OF have a eight on his hands.
That is the summary of the situation in the
senate at the close Of an executive session
nearly four hours long. Senator Sherman,
chairman of the committee Of foreign rela-
tions, reported the treaty providing for the
arbitration Of the Behring sea matter 10 the
senate, with a recommendation that it be
ratified. He supported the report with q
speech Of some length, contending that the
treaty should be ratified In order to carry
out the programme entered upon by the
United States government when It agreed
10 refer its claims 20 arbitration. In addi-
tion 10 the report on tbs treaty,
Mr.. Sherman reported resolution in line
with the argument put forth by President
Harrison in his response to Salisburys latest
suggestion, and as outlined IN these dis
patches, stating that having submitted the
case to arbitration. the senate would sup
port the president ia any course he might
adopt for protecting the property and rights
involved in the arbitration. Mr.. Sherman
was followed by Messrs. Morgan and Gray,
Of the committee, who agreed with him
that the government ought TO protect its
property pending arbitration.
The President win BE Backed Up.
Pugh and others were outspoken against
the treaty, stating, IL rs said, that unless the
treaty provided for n renewal OF the modus
vivendi they would not vote for it, and
II the treaty failed for that reason they
were willing TO abide the consequences
Senators from several southern states gave
utterances 20 equally earnest sentiments,
and there was a general expression that the
| United States could not afford 10 treat Great
Britain any differently than il did Chill be-
cause Of any alleged superiority of its navy.
| The report that the English squadron had
been ordered TO proceed to Behring sea was
mentioned and commented on in this con
nection. There was no violence in the dis
cussion, it is said, but a deep earnestness
borne Of the serious possibilities that con
fronted the senate. One thing was made
manifest, which was that anything the
/
tion of the seal and the maintainance of our
claims, pending arbitration, would meet the
approval Of the senate.
Without taking action ON the treaty or
the resolution the senate adjourned with
the understanding that the matter win be
taken up again today. The senate made
public the correspondence in the matter, OF
which the following Is a summary;
The Correspondcnce
Sir Julian pauncefote, March 10, commu-
nicated 10 Assistant Secretary Wharton the
substance OF Lord Salisbury's reply to the
note Of the Sth 10 TINS effect; His lorsiship
does not believe that another years suspen-
sion Of sealing is necessary 10 prevent undue
diminution Of the herds. g In view Of the
, | probably long duration Of the arbitration
serious damage would result from a suspen-
sion Of sealing until It should be ended 3.
He suggests that scaling be permitted to
proceed, the vessel owners giving indemnity
for damages that may accrue.
On March y Mr.. Wharton replied to Nr
Pauncefote. The note points out the lcss
Of female life by pelagc sealing, and sAYs
that Salisbury's contention that another
years suspension Of such sealing Is not nee
essary to prevent undue diminution of seal
herds" Is as surprising as IL is disappointing.
. the claims Of the other pending arbitration
adds but another sense Of injury and injus.
tice. And if the English government pro
ceeds upon the basis Of its contention no
choice is left the United States but 70 pro
4 ceed upon the basis Of it's confident conten.
, tion that pelagic sealing in the Behring sea
is an infraction Of its Jurisdiction and prop
erty rights
sThe president is not willing,r the note
proceeds, ''tO be found in any degree re.
G sponsible for the results that may follow the
J. insistence by either government during this
d season upon the extreme rights claimed
by it.p
Declines 20 Discuss IL.
Thepresident declines to discuss thepropO
! sition to take separate bonds from sealing
y vessels for damages, and as the pending
= treaty gives no power to the arbitatofs e
Z adjudge damages, there would be no risk tC
the obligors and the bonds Of no value to tbs
s United States. AS to Salisbury's suggestion
/, that Canadian sealers may have claim foi
i compensation IL Great Britain restr15ns
!, pelagic sealing the president says he doez
y not see how citizens Of any treaty powrn
. can have any claim growing out of neccs
. sary trade restraints which may be lawful,
/, imposed
The further suggestion that arbitration
! may not be ended in time to govern tr'
i season of 1898 is provided against by the
treaty itself, and the president calls Sails
burys attention 10 the fact that his lord
ships statement that four years hay'
/. elapsed since arbitration Of the Delagoa die
) pute with Portugal begans that treaty wa
not signed until june 30, 1891.
In conclusion, the president says, the leas
this government can accept is modus Of las
4. year, and he hopes that Salisbury viii Civ
!. prompt and friendly assent TO its renewal
M Otherwise, 'this government, as has alread.
!, been pointed out, viii be compelled to us
every means in its power to protect iron
= destruction OF serious injury property AM
h jurisdictional rights which it has lon
a claimed and enjoyed"
Ward win snnn Re Erna.