The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-03-16
PROTECT THE SEALS
Preparing an Increased Naval Fore
for Behring Sea.
LORD SALISBURY STILL SILENT.

A. No answer 10 the Presidents
Latest Communication Has Been
Received. Our Government Is Pro-
ceeding Quietly IN Perfecting Ar
engagements 20 Guard Against
poachers.
WASHINGTON, March l6--The cabi-
net yesterday had another discussion Of
the Behring sea question, but as Sails
bury has not replied there is no change
in the situation. However. large num-
Der Of senators were among the presi-
dents callers during the morning, and
by the time the cabinet assembled tho
president had a pretty fair view Of the
opinion of the senate on the question.
The senatorial visitors were Senator'S
Allison, Chandler, Wilson, Casey and
Sanders.
The navy department, acting in con-
junction with the treasury department,
Is preparing the revenue marine cutters
for Behring sea service. II has always
been the custom to send three Of the
service TO Behring sea, and they were
there last year, and this spring they are
being put In preparation for the cruise.
Getting u fleet il Readiness.
The cutters are the Bear, the Rush
and the Corwin. The Wolcott is at Pu-
get Sound and will remain there, but
the others will go as soon rs possible to
Behring sea. The navy department is
taking steps to charter more vessels to
aid as receiving ships for prisoners cap
tured should the United St9tes have TO
protect the sea.
Last year one vessel was so chartered,
but this year more will be needed, and
preparations are being made to this eff
feet. Thus good sized fleet will be in
service to protect the seas should the
modus vivendi not be renewed. The
president sent to the senate this week
message in response to q resolution
passed at u previous executive Session,
asking for information as 10 the effect Of
pelagic or open sea sealing.
Are the seals Diminishing?
II was the agreement signed by the
four Behring sea commissioners, Messrs.
Mendenhall and Merriam on the part Of
the United States and Sir George Daw.
son and Mr.. Baden Powell, to the effect
that since Russia had transferred Alaska
to the United States there has been i
diminution in the number Of seals by
| the hand OF man.
This statement, SO directly opposite tx
the position so tenaci0usly upheld by
Lord Salisbury, naturally created con
siderable discussion in the senate Before
the communication was referred to the
committee ON foreign relations it wal
read.
The debate was nearly all Of con
versational nature, although Senator
| White, of Louisiana, INDUCED in al
argument to prove that the English
commissioners, when they conceded the
diminution of the seals since Russia'i
transfer of the Behring sea, had done il
for the purpose of entrapping the United
States into the position that it was tho
Americans who were responsible for the
decrease.
The probabilities are now that if an
answer is not received before night the
president will remind Lord Salisbury Of
| the importance of the matter and re-
quest an answer to his communication.
LONDON, March 18.-The st. James
Gazette publishes letter signed "A
Member of the House of Commons, y III
which the writer express the hope that
England will not insist upon her claims
in the Behring sea matter. legitimate al
he believes them to be, as such insistance
will mean the humiliation OF valuable
| industry.