New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-03-22
SALISBURY'S LATEST NOTE.
ITS NATURE STILL AN OFFICIAL SECRET.
ACOEDED TO THE PRESIDENTS REQUEST
FOR A RENEWAL OF THE MoDUs
YIVENDI IN BEHRING SEA.


from Lord Salisbury to the last note from the
State Department relative to the renewal of the
moduS vivendi for the conduct of the seal fisheries
In Behring Sea is known TO nobody in Washing
ton except the President, the British Minister and
a few officials of tie Department of State. Even
the Re publican members of the Senate Committee
ON Foreign Relations and the House Committee
on Foreign Affairs, who are usually informed
promptly of any new phase in the negotiations, are
in ignorance oil the contents of Lord Salisbury's
last note. The conclusion drawn by some of them
from this omission the part of the Admnstra-
ton to inform them upon the subject is that the
note IS inconclusive as to the main point of the
controversy namely the extent Of the protection
TO be afforded seal life in Behring Sea.
1t Is believed that if Lord Salisbury had ac-
ceded to the request of the President for renewal
Of the modus vivendi, tfr,t fact would have been
Immediately communicated 10 the Senate. The
belief of the Senators is that he has made his
note the vehicle for an extension of his argument
that the thirty-mile limit of protected area pro
posed by him IS amply sufficient TO meet all the
necessities of the case. One Senator declared en-
phatically that it was only play for time on the
part of the British Government. His theory is that
that Government will ultimately consent TO a re-
newal of the modus vivendi, but will delay its
action long that the agreement will be made
ineffective through the departure for the seal
grounds of large numbers of Canadian sealing
vessels.
His view finds many adherents among Senators,
and il can be asserted safely that. if this policy
should become clearly Defined the Senate will be
unit in supporting the Administration in the most
energetic effort TO enforce the laws now on The
statute books relative to the protection OF tne
rights of the United States in Bchring Sea.
report in circulation tonight was to the
effect that the English communication is merely
short dispatch stating that the reply proper
to Acting Secretary Wharton'S note Of March
8 is being prepared. and is nearly ready, ana tlat
il will be adverse to President HarrlsOns request
for a renewal of the modus vivendi. According 10
the same report, the communication further SAYS
in effect that the British Government will not
interfere with the policing Of Behring Sea by
United States vessels pending the negotiations for
the settlement of the questions at issue by arb-
tration, though it may hereafter ask for damages
in behalf of such Canadian sealers as may suffer
by seizure or interference By American vessels.
1t is impossible to obtain any official inforna-
tion concerning the note received from Lord
Salisbury yesterday. The unusual reference OF
officials on this subject is said TO be in accordance
with strict instructions direct from the President
that the communication shall be withheld from
the public at least until after its submission 10
the Senate. One rumor that finds many believers
is that Lord Salisbury has answered the rresi-
dents note insisting on the necessity oil moouS
yivendi with a counter proposition that, IN case
one is agreed upon. the United States snail agree
70 indemnify Canadian vessel owners tpoachers>
for losses incurred thereby provided the arbi-
traitors finally decide that the United States has
no right 10 prevent pelagic sealing. Inc Cmtea
States has already rejected proposition Of TINS
kind Az.
Gen.rsl J. W. Foster. who is representing 'hs
S,eto Densrtment in this matter, had two inter
views with the President on the sublect to-u"S'
ono early In the day and the other III the ai.ei-
noon: and the impression is general tAa' ONeS
aa.e;5.rad the character of the reply to oe
,nads N Lord Salsbury's last note II is pretty
,veu established that the President is not oe-
1000 ,o recede from the position already assumed
in regard TO the preservation of the seal hefu,
I'D rat he will take steps to secure that aiu
;.h or without the cooperation OF tne bii"sh
Government. . .1a, no
7, is said at the Navy Department NiaU ~
orders whatever have been issued looRlhe u V'e
disnatcb of naval fleet to Nhfllg sV" '
season. and that no action OF that KIM WIN -
,aLor until the policy of this Government III 'hS
matter has been clearly defined, or uhth A,e
Denart1nent is informed that the revenue '0'No''
+o he used in patrolling the sea are Ii" 1io'I
for the service Notwithstanding this Seini-0'A0ia
statement. it is known that the pePAi i'n,o"'
preparipg vessels for service In the Nottn "0-Ao
roaar in case they shall be needed. These are
the Adams and the Ranger, now oeing n'' .a
80 Mare Isand. Cal, both Of which Wall 90 lh'o
- --'ies;on in a short time Another vessel that
Ill rrdoubtsdlv 20 TO Bebring Sea this spring
:a +ho Nobican. now at Seattle. Other VeoseS
A.. 40, no utilized in case it is deemed aoN's-
.h1o ,o strengthen the fleet the BALTIMORE at
Co, Francisco: the Charleston, at San Dego an"
,be Roston and Yorktown, now on then ""S "
San Francisco, where they VIII ailFe n",nn
.bs neyt few weeks These warships' OK "or nonire
of them. together with the four revenue ,nnar
~ D. PnIsb Corwin and Albatross now prcpaf
nc for service in Behring sea, wonId, ~ saI ~
b.1icved constitute a fleet amply suihciehV i''
an ',ud ondon March 21-In the House Of Commons
today. replying TO question put TO ontarv W.
Ucnt on the sub jecl, Nj Lowther' , SnaI
cno,or,. ~ the Foreign Office, stated that hIi"i
pJ..s,andino between Great Brltaln anu u'
Tpited States in regard TO the Behring Ta qIi, qit
ZION had not yet been arrlVcu a. d i ,rcre stiII
tba negotiations looking to tlat en- ls WI ",l,,
nooaedinU Tie question 10 winch MT. LoW'htI
rpenIv was made was asked by tdward i. LII HphiiS ~
liberal Member for Sunderland who nrnent urarnm ~.
location as 20 whether or not the Government
nnnid no occcde to the wish Of the United states
Coyernment 10 renew the modus vlven" ior '"e
current sealing season
CANADIAN SFALERs MAY FILE DAMAGE CLAlio
ottawa. March 2l.-The following notice 10 o"n','
and masters OF British sealing vessels has been Hseu
Notice Is hereby given 70 all persons hsvns ofno W n
far connensauou for loss damage by reason oI -
nmlson from or warning out Of Bchrng sea uhnr uie
provisions OF the modus VI, end between liep smeca
Eoyerrnent and that oi the United states OF hnIeo
during the wear 1901 that al claims must pe y ~
tho ofce OF the Collector OF Customs at c,ns
within month from the date Of this notlce. Cin.n'
MOI lodged within the tine specified VIII n9I Dc oof
sideTed. 49,, 'I-NH ~ " III - .,d Eisheres
This paper is dated March %. 50 that seaierS ",u
have full month in which 70 take aftlon ai'er t'o
official notice reaches British Columbia