The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1892-03-25
TEE SEAL QUESTION
The Official Correspondence is
Made Public.
LORD sALIsBURY's PROPOSITIONS
They Cannot be Entertained-Mr. Wharton's
Reply-Urgency OF the Case-Ihe Senate
VIII Support Harrison.

ter, is made public. The first communlca-
ton is from Sir Julian Pauncefote to Mr..
Wharton, under date of March 10. stating
ne had received reply from Lord Sails
bury, who again points out the information
In the possession of her majesty's govern
ment does not lead them TO believe another
years suspension of sealing is necessary to
prevent undue diminution of the seal herds.
HIS lordship, however, proceeds to observe
lnat beyond this question it is considered
by your government that they have
RIGHT TO BE PROTECTED
from loss they may incur from free sealing
this year, in the event of their claim being
upheld by the arbitrators. He states her
malesty's government does not dispute that
after the ratification of the convention
there may be some foundation for this con-
dllon, but adds that the prohibition of
al sealers as remedy has this effect: that
British sealers excluded from Behrinp sea
would have undoubted grounds of corr
plant ii the British claims are upheld by
the arbitrator. Moreover, there is no
security that the arbitration will be con-
cluded before the sealing season Of 1898,
and serious damage would be caused the
industry by the suspension of sealing for SO
long period.
I'm view of all the above considerations,
IL appears to her malesty's government it
would be more equitable to provide that
vessels IN Behring sea shall give security
Tor satisfying any damages the arbitrato
may adjudge. l shall be glad to learn the
above suggestions meet with the concur
renee of your government"
Under date of March o. Mr.. Wharton
replied as follows: 81 am directed by the
4 a N 1nal
mas had his immediate attention in view
sot what he deems the extreme
URGENCY AND GRAVITY OF THE MATTER.
The urgency grows out Of the fact that
further protraction made any modus inef-
tectual to protect the interests of the
United States and gives Canadian sealers
practical immUnities. 1t is known to this
government that sealers have fastened
their departure to escape notice of posi-
ole modus, and every day almost adds to
the fleet that must be overhauled at sea-
Already forty-seven Canadian vessels have
cleared for the sealing grounds as against
thlrty-o one ct the same date last year and
are engaged IN following up and destroying
the seal herds. These vessels will, if not
stopped and turned back at the passes, go
into Behring sea and pursue to the very
shores OF our islands and slaughter the
mother seals seeking their accustomed
rookeries to be delivered of their young.
THIS IS A CRIME AGAINST NATURE.
This government expects to show. if the
arbitration proceeds, that the female seals
constitute the larger portion of the catch
OF the pelagic sealers. That in view of
this serious and confident contention of
this government his lordship should as
sumo that another years suspension of
such sealing IS not necessary to prevent
undue diminution of the seal herds and
should insist that pending arbitration, it
shall 20 on precisely as if no arbitration
were agreed upon, is as surprising as it is
disappointing. Ii her maiesty's government
SO little respects the claims and contentious
OF TINS government as to be willing for q
single season to disregard them, the Presi-
dent cannot understand why Lord Sails
bury should have proposed and agreed to
give to those claims the dignity and stand
ing which their reference to a high court
OF arbitration implies. From the moment
arbitration was agreed upon neither party
was al liberty TO disregard the contentious
OF the other. 1t must be assumed that the
sincere purpose of the two governments was
to promote peace and good will, but if
pending arbitration either deals with the
subject of 1t solely upon the basis of IFS
own contention and in utter disregard of
the claims OF the other, this friendly end IS
not only not attained, but
NEW SENSE OF INJURY AND INJUSTICE
is added even if it should be found possible
to proceed with an arbitration under such
conditions. For it must not be forgotten
that II her maIesty's government proceeds
during this sealing season upon the basis
OF its contention as to the rights of Cana
dian sealers, no choice is left this govern
ment but to proceed upon the basis of its
confident contention that pelagic sealing in
Behrlng sea is an infraction of its iurisdic-
uonal and property rights. His lordship
VIII hardly fail to see this. Herein, in the
opinion Of the President, consists the
gravity of the situation, and he is not will
ing TO be found in any degree responsible
Tor results that may follow the insistance
by either government during this season
upon the extreme rights claimed by it. In
his opinion, it would discreGit in the ewes
of the world,
THE TWO GREAT GOVERNMENTS INVOLVED
if the psltry profits of a single season
should be allowed to thwart or even dis
turb an honorable and friendly adjustment
OF their differences, so nerrly concluded.
But If his lordship shall adhere to his re-
fusel to unite with the United States in
prompt and effective measures to ston
pelagic sealing and shall insist upon free
sealing for British subjects, the question as
p
OF pecuniary loss or gain, but of
HONOR AND sELF-REsPEcT.
This government, notwithstanding its right
TO take seals upon Pribyloff islands. is un- |
and wholly uniuvolved in the arbi- |
trauon, proposed to take no profit from the
Islands 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 without the contested |
rights Of British subjects To catch seals in |
the Behring sea shall be exercised pending /
arbitration.
The President finds it difficult to be- |
lleve LORD Salisbury is serious in propos-
ing this government shall take separate
bonds from the owners of about one hun
dred Canadian sealing vessels to indemnify |
1t Tor any injury they may inflinct upon |
your jurisdiction or properly and must
decline TO discuss suggestion which onlv
his respect for Lord Salisbury and bis be-
Lief that his lordship has due appreciation
Of the
GRAVITY OF THIS DISCUSSION
can enable him to treat with seriousness.
I'VE should doubtless have to pursue
and capture upon the sea many of the own-
srs of these vessels or secure bonds sup-
gested and as the condition is to be that
shall pay any damages which the arbltra-
tors may adjudge,' while the treaty gives
the arbltrators no power to adiudge any
damages, the transaction would be without
risk to them and of no value TO the United
States. This government cannot consent
TO have what it believes its right DESTROYED
Or impaired, pending a determination by
any agreed tribunal, however adequate the
security offered.
1.-The reference in my last note to the
inconsistency of her maiesty's government
N denying responsibility for the acts of
Canadian sealers was not intended to sug-