Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-03-09
THE SPORTIVE SEAL
1t Remains a Vexatious Bone
of Contention.
LATEST HITCH IN NEGOTIATIONS.

Probability That Revenue Cutters VIII
Again Guard the Feeding Grounds
Senators Discuss the Arbitration Treaty
and Seem Inclined to BelIigerence-
An American Protest Against Protect
ing the Phocidss Family-Porter Makes
Some Reflections on the Recent New
York Census-Oficial Items.
WASHINGTON, March 9-Yesterday be-
ing the regular day for the meeting of the
cabinet a session was held for the first
time in two weeks. There were present
all the members except Secretaries Blaine,
who is sick, and Foster and Noble, who
are out of the city. As was expected Beh-
ring sea matters were the principal sub
ject under discussion. The session lasted
about an hour and half. Immediately
upon adjournment President Harrison
sent the treaty proposing arbitration of
the Behring sea controversy to the senate
for its consideration. In the course of the
meeting the reply to Lord Salisbury's note,
In which he announced his unwillingness to
further extend the modus vivendi of last
year, was presented and discussed and
later delivered to Sir Julian Pauncefote.
Alleged Tenor of the Reply.
1t is said that the reply, while express
ing regret at the action of his lordship,
very broadly and firmly intimates the
ability and intention of the government of
the United States to protect the seals and
all other property rights claimed by it in
the Behring sea by virtue of the treaty of
1867 with Russia. The reply is said to be
q cd Int hot Of he
controverted rights of this country in the
territory under discussion. The cabinet,
it is said, discussed the question whether
or not, under the conditions that exist
now, the recently negotiated treaty of
arbitration should be sent to the senate,
and ii was decided in the affirmative.
Couldn't Go Back on Arbitration.
1t was asserted that it would not do for
the United States government, after hav-
ing proposed arbitration, to withdraw
from the arrangement made by its repre-
sentatives and those of Great Britain to
carry that proposition into effect. What
ever position the other party might as
sumo, this government, it was further
stated, must show its good faith in the
matter Other means than the abandon
ment of the proposed arbitration could be
found, and dou btless would be, under the
new conditions arising out OF the refusal
of Great Britain to renew the mOdus
vivendi by which the seal herds could be
protected pending progress Of the arbitra-
ton.
May Have to Enforce the Law.
President Harrison. it is said, fully real
iZing the necessity that exists for expedi-
tious action if there is to be any effective
protection of the seals against poaching
this season, will endeavor to reach an un-
Outstanding with Great Britain as soon as
possible. Should Lord Salisbury persist in
his refusal to join in a modus vivendi after
receiving the reply sent yesterday to his
recent note, it is probable that the presi
dent will notify him that the law of the
United States against illegal sealing will
be enforced against all vessels offending
and the usual proclamation warning poach
ers off the sealing waters will be issued
The programme, however, will depend
largely upon developments from time tC
time