The Indianapolis journal., 1892-02-17
Cannot Agree Whether the Decrease in Seals
Is Caused By Slaughtering Them on the
Rookeries or BY Deep-Sea Killing.
Farmers Representatives Take a Hand
in Denouncing Future" Dealings.
Want to "Hamstring the Fellow Who Tries to
Sell What He Has Not GOt"-Congress Re-
minded of Its Duty by the President
Behring Sea Commissioners Not Making
Much Hesdway I'm Their Negotiations.

Behring Sea Commissioners Not Making
Much Hesdway I'm Their Negotiations.
specih, to the Indianapolis Journal
,IINGToN. Feb. IA Treasury officer
is hority for the statement that the
considering Behrine sea seal mat
have made but little progress, and
from present indications their labors will
not result IN an agreement as TO facts TO be
submitted TO arbitration. The agents had
q meeting to-day at which Secretary
Blaine and Sir Julian Pauncefote, the
British minister. were present for a
short time. The difference between
the agents of the United States
and those of great Britain is said 20 be due
TO the antagonIsm OF the interests they
represent They substantially agree upon
the conclusions of fact as 10 the existina
condition of things respecting the seal
herds, but they do not agree as to the cause
of the decrease in the number Of fur-bear-
ing ANIMALS. The British agents insist
that the destruction is due TO the killing
of the seal on the rookeries. permitted by
the United States under the contracts
with the Treasury Department while the
agents of the United STATES assert that the
loss is due to pelagic or deep sea killing.
which the poachers follow. The British
agents are reported to be somewhat sur
prised st the exceptionally able manner in
which the American agents have prepared
their case. Sir Baden-Powell. the re pre-
sentative from England. and himself An
authority OF high standing; hae told
sidered DR.. c. Hart Merriam. one of the
United States agents. the best informed
man In the world on the subject of the fur
seal.
No information was vouchsafed at the
action upon the treaty forwarded several
days ago for his action by Sir Julian
Pauncefote. the British minister here. me-
gotiated by himself and Secretary Blaine.
United States and England over the
ferred to board of arbitration
for settlement. AT the time Of meet
held in London during the afternoon
between Lord Salisbury and Minister Lin
coin had not been learned and IL was not
known, of course, whether or not the En-
glish Prime Minister approved the treaty.
Sir Julian expects that be will approve is
and has expressed himself TO that effect
very emphatically. Whether or nor Min
lister Lincoln has communicated the resuH
of his talk with Lord Salisbury to the off,
cials Of the State Department. cannot be
learned tonight. but the action Of the Bear-
ing sea agents will. IL is believed. afford Q
pretty safe criterion by which 20 judge
of Lord Salisbury's action. IL the
sessions of the agents continue 10 will be
taken to mean by some well-fnformsd per-
sons that the proprosed treaty meets his
Lordship's approval and will shortly DO
transmitted TO the Senate OF tho United
States for concurrence. Should the agents
discontinue their meetings. IL will. by the
same token, be considered TO indicate that
the treaty has been rejected by the English
official. which. being the case. further
meetings of the agents would be useless. &C
no practical results could como from them.
Whether or not this speculation Is well
founded will doubtless be determined
within day or two.