The record-union., 1892-03-22
BEHRlNG SEA DISPUTE.
a COMMUNICATION RECEIVED
FROM SALISBURY.
Its Contents, Though Not Made Pub
lie, Are Believed to be Unsat1s-
factory to the President.
Special to the REconp-uN1oS.

Special to the REcoRD-UNIoS.
WASHINGTON, March 21-It is impos-
sible to obtain any official information
concerning the note received from Lord
Salisbury yesterday on the Behring Sea
question. Even the Republican mem
bers ofthe Senate Committee on Foreign
Relations and the House Committee on
Foreign Affairs, usually informed
promptly of any new phase in the nego-
tiations are in ignorance Of the contents.
The conclusion drawn by some for this
omission on the part of the Administra-
lion to inform them upon the subject is
that the note is inconclusive as TO the
main point of the controversy, namely,
the extent OF protection to be Afforded
zeal life in the Behring Sea.
1t is believed that ii Salisbury has ac
ceded to the request of the President for
q renewal Of the nlOdaS UlUe7ldl the fact
would have been Immediately commune
Gated to the Senate. The belief OF the
Senators is that he made the note vehi-
Gle for the extension of his argument for
the thirty mile limit of protected area
proposed by him, which he claims was
amply sufficient to meet all the necessi-
ties of the case.
One Senator declared emphatically, "It
is only a play for time on the part of the
British Government" His theory is that
the Government viii ultimately consent
to a renewal OF the HG0dltS 0tOc7Idi, but
viii delay action so long as the agreement
can be made ineffective through the de-
parture for the sealing grounds OF large
numbers of Canadian sealing vessels.
This view finds many adherentS among
ine Senators, and it can be asserted safely
that If this policy should become clearly
f,a will hQ a JInit in
porting the Administration in its most
energetic efforts to enforce the laws on
the statute books relative to the protec-
ton of the rights of the United States in
the Behring sea.
One rumor that has many believers is
that Lord Salisbury has answered the
Presidents note insisting on the necessity
of the mOdatS UjUeaedi with counter prop
osition that, in case one is agreed upon,
the United States will agree to indemnify
Canadian vessel owners for losses in
Cured thereby. The United States has
already rejected proposition OF this
kind.
General Foster, representing the State
Department in this matter, had two in
terviews with the President on the sub
ject to-day, and the impression is general
that they considered the character of the
reply to be made to Salisbury. 1t Is
pretty well established that the President
IL IlOb ulSDOSGu 10 IetSOc tlG pOS1IlOI
already assumed in regard to the preSer-
vation of the seal herd, and will take
steps to secure that end with or without
the cooperation OF the British Govern
lnent.
1t is stated at the Navy Department that
no orders have been issued looking to the
dispatch of naval fleet to the Behring
Sea this season; that no action of that
Kind will be taken until the policy Of this
Government has been clearly defined,
and until the department. is informed that
the revenue vessels to be used for patrol
ing the sea are inadequate for the service.
Another report is in circulation tonight,
to the effect that the communication was
merely short dispatch stating that a re-
ply proper to Acting Secretary Whar-
toms note of the Sth inst. is being pre-
pared and nearly ready, and will be adj
erse to the request for a mooUS giUenda.
according TO the same report, the COM
1nunication further says, in effect, that
Ghe British Government will not interfere
with the policing Of Behring Sea by
nited States vessels pending negotia-
Iions Tor settlement OF the question at
issue by arbitration, though it may here
liter ask for damages in behalf of such
t'anadlan soalers as may suffer by seizure
or interference by American vessels.
CANADIAN PoACHERs TO PRESENT CLA ms
OTTAWA, March 21.-lThe following no.
AtC0 10 ONASrS anu UldSJ0rS OF brlLlSl
sealing vessels has been issued:
Notice is hereby given to all persons having
claims for compensation for loss or damage
by reason of expulsion from or warning out
ut Behring Sea under the provisions OF the
4todUS riCendi between her Majesty's Govern
1nent and that of the United States Of Amer
lea, during the year 1891, that all the CLAIMS
must be lodged at the Office of the Collector of
customs al Victoria, b. c., within one month
11om the date of this notice. Claims not
lodged within the time specified will not be
considered. CHARLES H. TUpPER
Minister of Marine and Fisheries.
The notice is dated March 28th, so that
Ssealers will have full one month in which
10 take action after the official notitica-
ton reaches British Columbia.
NEGOTIATIONS PROCEEDING.
LONDON, March q. - In the British
Parliament to-day, replying to question
put TO the Government on the subject,
q James Lowther, Parliamentary Secretary
Tor the Foreign Office, said that final
understanding between Great Britain
and the United States, in regard to the
Behring Sea question, had not yet been
arrived at. He added that negotiations
are still proceeding.