New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-03-07
THE BEHRING SEA TROUBLE.
sAL1sBURY,s UNREASONABLE ATTITUDE.
THE SENATE LIKELY TO AMEND THE TREATY
BY PROVIDING FOR MoDUS VIvENDI.
fBY TELEGRAPH THE TkIBUNE-I

iBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TkIBUSE-I
Washington March 6.-There were practically
no developments in the Behring Sea question to-
dav. The situation remains what it has been
since the State Department was informed on Tues
day last of the determination on the part of Lord
Salisbury TO refuse his consent to renewal OF
the modus vivendi of last year. Early this week
prhaps to-mOrrOw-the Senate will be put in
possession of the treaty which refers the main
question of the dispute to an international board
Of arbitration. Its action no doubt will be
prompt and, to judge from present appearances,
unanimous. II is not at all unlikely that it
may amend the treaty so as to provide for a re-
newal Of the modus vivendi pending the
proceedings before the Board of Arb-
tration. Thus amended, the treaty would
be returned to Lord Salisbury who will
then be compelled to state the reasons for his re-
fusng so reasonable proposition, or assume the
responsibility for the consequences, which, no
doubts, would be the practical destruction Of the
Pribyloff rookeries and the determination Of the
seal in Behripg Sea.
The attitude of the English Government in this
controversy; has naturally enough reawakened the
liveliest interest the part of people. who in
addition to the diplomatic points involved, look
upon this question from scientific and humanf-
tartan point of view-scientifc, because the ex-
ing animal is threatened humanitarian. because
the destruction of the animal means misery and
starvation to the natives of Alaska, who largely
depend upon it for food and means of hveli-
hood. 1t is, therefore, not surprising TO learn
that steps are being taken by various organiza-
tions for the prevention of cruelty to animals TO
lend the Government what moral weight may
attach to protests against the wicked, wanton and
wasteful mode of killing of the seal involved in
pelagc scaling. The international character of
many of these societies. and the connection exist
ing between and among them, may stimulate the
civilized world perhaps to correct realization OF
Lord 6alsburys attitude.
In certain quarters il is suggested that because
the experts" were unable to aSree upon the point
as to whether the private sealers were exterminat
ing the animals Lord Salisbury is now unable 10
discard the report Of Sir George Baden-Powell and
Mr. Dawson in favor Of that of Professor Menden-
hall and Mr.. Merriam, and that therefore no has
no further excuse for refusing TO allow the
Canadian vessels to ply their industry. 1t is true
that the four experts failed to agree on the point
involving the effect of peagic sealing. but they
did not fail in reaching unanimously the conclusion
that since the Alaska purchase the number of
seal had diminished perceptibly and that such
dirninution in the number of seal was due 10 " the
hand of man." Under the modus vivendi of last
year. which was dece ption, delusion and snare.
because Lord Salisbury delayed its being carried
into effect until after the sealing fleet had started
upon its marauding tour 62 900 skins were taken
BY pelagic sealers, and only 1900 by the lessees
OF the Pribylof Islands. The taking Of those
62, 900 skins involved the loss of probably as
many more, half of the animals killed in the water
sinking before being reached, and, Of course, had
still more disastrous effect upon the herds because
discrimination in regard TO sex was impossible.
II, under modus vivendi the poachers were
enabled to carry on this wholesale destruction of
when no modns vivendi at all exists?
"The hand Of man" is rapidly doing its work
in diminishing the number OF seal and threatening
the determination of this useful animai-that Is
the unanimous opinion of the experts And
yet in the face Of this one and only proposition
upon which the four commissioners were able 10
agree Lord Salisbury refuses 10 stay the hand
Of man" 1t certainly seems unreasonable aud
illogical.