The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-03-10

WASHINGTON, March, 0. -[Speciall-
The President to day sent to the Senate
the correspondence in regard to the
Boring sea question, covering peried
from April 90, 1891, to date.
OF the recent correspondence the
most Important letters are two from Sir
Julian Pauncefore, under date of Feb
ruary 30 and March z, and the reply
sent yesterday.
In his note Of. February 90, Sir Julian
informs Mr.. Blaine that Lord Salisbury
does not ad NIT, as previously indicate
by Mr.. Blaine, that the delays have
been greater on tho part of Great
Britain than the United States.
He says that the British commits.
sioners have reported that there is no
danger of serious diminution of seals,
and, therefore, the necessity of the
modus vivendi.is not apparent. Still he
would not object to tho prohibition
limited to zone not moro than thirty
miles around PribyloT Islands, provided
the catch on the islands be limited to
10000.
In his note of March Z Sir Julian
presents an argument in support of
Lord Salisbury's refusal to accede to
first was agreed to under the stipulation
that the measure could not be repeated
and there is no apparent danger TO seal
species.
lie adds that the zone proposed is
more extensive than that mentioned by
Mr.. Blaine on March 16, 1891, and that
the anticipation OF conflicts considered
In his note Of May 4, 1891, has been met
by the provisions Of the Bering sea act
of parliament and order in council
In his response sent Yesterday Assis-
tant Secretary Wharton states that tho
President notices with tho deepest
regret the indisposition Of her maiesty's
government to agree upon an effective
modus for the preservation of seals in
Boring sea, pending the settlement of
the respective rights of the two gov ern-
ments in these waters and in fur seal
fisheries therein.
The urgent question. he says. is what
does good faith, to say nothing of inter
national comfy, require of the parties
to arbitration? Was it ever heard be.
fore, he asks, that one party to such
controversy, whether nation or indi-
vidual, could appropriate the whole, or
a"y part of tho incom and profits, much
less the body of contested property,
pending legislation without accounta-
bllity?
1t is no answer for the trespasser, it
is contended, to say, that tho owner will
have nndiminished harvest next year.
Last years harvest was his also, and
further, this Government has already
been advised that Great Britain re-
pndiates all obligations to indemnity to
the Unites States for any vasion of it's
jurisdiction or any injhry done to it's
sealing property by Canadian sealers.
In conclusion, it is stated that this
government will honorably abide by
the judgment of the arbitration tribunal
which has been agreed upon. whether
that Judgment is favorable or unfavora-
Bile, and will not seek TO avoid just
responsibility for any Of its &C s, which,
by that Judgment, are found to be un-
lawful.
But certainly tho United States can
not be expected to suspend it's defense
by such means, as arc within it's power,
of the property and jurisdictional
rights claimed by it. lending the arbi-
tration. and to cor mt to receive Thorn
by that tribunal, if awarded, shorn of
much Of their value by the acts of ire
sponsible persons.
1t is learned that the illness of Secre-
tary Blaine prevented any consultation
with him in regaF to Lord Salisbury's
note, opposing tho modus vivendi of
last year and that the reply thereto,
dated the Sth instant and transmitted
by Mr.. Wharton was in fact written by
the President.
Mr. Morgan introduced a bill to en-
force the provisions of section 2SG6 of
the Revised Statutes, in respect of ar.
ticle 20, of the treaty Of Washington of
May s, with the government of Great
Britain. 1t was referred to the COM
mittee on foreign relations.
The Senate resolution for the paw
ment to the State of West Virginia, of
her share Of the direct tax refund was
taken up and Mr.. Daniel offered as an
amendment an additional section in
structing the Secretary OF the Treasury
TO accept the terms agreed upon by tho
committee of Virginia bondbolders as
to the bonded debt of Virginia.
On motion of Mr.. Faulkner the bill
was made special order for Monday
night. Tho pure food bill was taken
up and after bcing amended was passed.
The Senate went into executive session
which lasted about four hours. 1t then
adjourned. -
In past years tho day for opening the
debate upon the tariff bill has been n
red letter day, and almost all of the
members have been III attendance, and
tho galleries have been throngcd with
spectators.
But the rule met with it's exception
this morning. Whom the speaker called
the House to order at noon there were
not more than $50 members present, and
the galleries did not contain more than
the usual audience.
On motion of Mr.. McMillin, of Ten
nessee, the House went into committee
OF the whole upouashe revenue bills,
Mr.. Dlount, of Georgia. being designated