The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-03-22
WORD FROM SALISBURY.


But What It Is Can Only BE Conjec-
tured
WARRINGTON, March 21.-The nature Of
the reply Of Lord Salisbury to the last note
from the state department relative to the
renewal of the moGns yivendi for the CON
duct Of the seal fisheries in the Boring sen
ID known to nobody in Washington except
the president, British minister and few
officials of the department of state. Even
the republican members Of the senate COM
mlttee 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
of the contents The conclusion drawn by
some from this is that omission on the part
of the administration to inform them upon
the subject is evidence that the note is not
conclusive as to the main point of the con-
troyersy, namely, the extent OF protection
to be afforded to seal life in Bering sea.
1t is believed that if Salisbury had acceded
to the request of the president for q re-
newal of the modus vivenui the fact would
have been Immediately communicated to
the senate. The belief Of senators is that
be has made the note a vehicle for the ex-
tension of his argument for thirty-nile
limit OF protected atea. proposed by him,
RS amply sufficient to meet all the necessi-
ties of the case. One senator declared en-
phatically ''it is only a play for time on the
part Of the British government" His the
ory is that that government will ultimately
consent to a renewal of the modus yivendi
but will delay action so long that an agree
ment will be made Ineffective through the
departure for the seal grounds of large
numbers Of Canadian vessels. This view
finds many adherents among the senators,
and it can be asserted safely that if this
policy should become clearly defined the
70 Il 1,np i,o
ministration i'll the most energetic efforts
to enforce the laws on the statute books
relative to protection of tho rights OF the
the United States in the Boring sea-
One rumor that has many believers is
that Lord Salisbury has answered the pres
ldont's note insisting on the necessity of a
modus vivendi with counter proposition
that in onse one is agreed upon the United
States agrees to indemnify Canadian vessel
owners for Losses incurred thereby. The
United States has already rejected prop
osition of this kind. Gen. Foster, repre--
senting the state department, had two in
tervlews with the president on the subject
to-day, and the impression is general that
they considered the character of the reply
to be made to Salisbury. 1t is pretty we'll
established that the president il not dis
posed to recede from his position already
assumed in regard to tho preservation Of
the seal herd. and will take steps to secure
that end with or without consideration of
the British government.
Another report was i'll circulation to.
night to the effect that the communication
was merely II short dispatch stating that
the reply proper to Acting Secretary Whar-
TOMS note of tho Sth inst. is being prepared
and nearly ready, and will be adverse to
the request for modus vivendi. Accord
ing to the same report. the communication
further says, in effect, that the British gov
ernment will not interfege with the po-
licing of Bering sea by the United States
vesssls pending negotiations for settle
ment of the questions at issue by arbitra-
ton, though 1t may hereafter ask for dam
ages in behalf of such, Canadian sealers ma
may suffer by seizure or interference by
American vessels.