St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-03-28
The British Premier Wants
His Sailors to Go on With
Their Fishing,
Leaving the Matter of Dam&
ages to the Arbitrators
Of the Case.
Conditions Under Which He
Is Willing to Consent to
Arbitration.
Salisbury's Answer Is Laid
Before the President at
Once.


under date of March 20, has replied as
follows to Sir Julian Pauncefote, In
response to Mr.. Wharton's note Of
March %:
ain reply to your telegram of the ed
inst, notice has been given to owners Of
ships sailing for Behring sea that agree
ments at present under discussion-that
as to arbitration and as to intermediate
arrangement-may affect the liberty Of
sealing in Behrlng sea. There has been
notice of their liability to possible in
terruption, and they will sail subject TO
that notice. The question of time is
not therefore urgent. Inform the pres
ident that when the treaty has been
ratified there will arise new state OF
things. Until it is ratified our con-
duct is governed by the lam
guarge OF your note of the
18th of June, 1890. But when it is
ratified both parties must admit that
contingent rights have become vested
in the other which both desire to pro-
tect. We think that the prohibition OF
sealing, if it stands alone. will be un-
just to British sealers if the decision OF
the arbitratOrs should be adverse to the
United States. We are, however,
willing, when the treaty has been
ratified, TO agree to an arrangement
similar to that of last year if the United
States will consent that the arbitrators
should, in the event of decision adj
verse to the United States,
Assess the Damsges
which the prohibition of sealing shall
have inflicted on British sealers during
tho tendency of the arbitration, and in
the event Of a decision adverse to Great
Britain, should assess the damages
which the limitation OF slaughter
shall during the tendency OF arbi-
tration have inflicted on the United
States or its lessees. AS an
alternative course we are also willing,
after the ratification of the treaty. TO
prohibit sealing in the disputed waters
if vessels be excepted IRON prohibition
who produce certificate that they have
given security for such damages
as the arbitrator may assess
in case of decision adverse
TO Great Britain, the arbitratOrs
to receive the necessary authority in
their behalf In this case restriction
of slaughter on the islands will not in
point of law be necessary, IL the gov
ernment is unable to see any one or the
methods of restricting of seal hunting
in the disputed waters during the arbi-
tration which would be equitable to
both parties"
A later note from Lord Salisbury to
Sir Julian Pauncefote, dated March 70,
says with further reference to your
telegram of the 23d inst. am not pre-
pared to admit as | gather that the
president thinks that
we Have objected
to the arbitrators having jurisdiction as
to the damages inflicted in the past by
the party against whom the award IS
given. | only objected to her magesty's
government being liable for acts they
have not committed. l am ready 10
consent 10 a reference on this point
OH the following terms; That
in case the arbitrators shall
decide i'm favor of the British govern
ment, that government may ask them
further TO decide whether the United
States government has since 1888 taken
any action in Behring sea directly In
hicting wrongful loss on British sub
lects, or, if so, to assess the damages
Incurred thereby. That in case the
arbitrator shall decide in favor
of the government Of the United States,
that government may ask them TO de-
eide further whether the British gov
eminent have. since 1885, taken any
action i'm Behripg sea directly infiicting
wrongful loss on the United States and
their lessees, and if so, to assess the
damage incurred thereby"
WAsHINGTON, March PA reply
from Lord Salisbury to answer Acting
Secretary Wharton's note of the ed
inst. expressing the hope Of the presi-
dent that Lord Salisbury would give
a prompt and friendly assent to
renew the modus yiyendl OF last
year for the protection of seal
life in Behring sea was laid before the
president this afternoon. 1t bears date
of the 26th, and was received by Mr..
Wharton today through Sir Julian
Pauncefote. When Mr.. Wharton laid
it before the president he had brief
talk with him regarding Its contents.
The note of Sir Julian PauncefOte OF
June II, 1890, winds up with the fol-
lowing:
Her Britannia majesty's government are
unable to pass over without notice the public
announcement Of ali intention on the part OF
the government of the United States 70 renew
the acts Of interference with British
vessels navigating outside OF the ter
ritorial waters Of the United States,
{ o complain. The undersigned Is IN conse-
queuce instructed formally TO protest against
such interference All TO declare that her
Britannia males ty's government must hold
the government OF the United states respon-
sponsible for the consequences that may
established principles Of International law