Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-03-10
Proposed by Mr.. Blaine and the Cor
reSpOndence Leading to 1t
GIVEN THE SENATE YESTERDAY.
Lord Salisbury and Her Majesty's Government Se'
no Need for Protecting the Seals and Do
not Think the NOdus Viyendi Nee
eSsary A Minor Restriction
Upon Seal Hunting Might
beAgreeable 10 Great
Britain.

correspondence between the Govern
ments of United States and Great Brit
ain which proceeded and led up to the
signature of the Bering Sea treaty of
arbitration, transmitted to the Senate
yesterday.
The correspondence begins on April
20, 1891, but inasmuch as the Depart
ment OF State has heretofore made pub
lie that part OF it which included be-
tween the dates OF January and June
18th last it is unnecessary TO review the
correspondence OF that period.
Further correspondence which re-
lates in great part TO questions to be
submitted to arbitration resulted in an
agreement that there should be seven
arbitrators, each country to be repre-
sented by two and the other three to be
appointed by the governments OF France,
Italy and Sweden and the treaty as
agreed upon was signed February 30.
The correspondence up to this date,
and given out to-day, is voluminous and
exceeds 1000 words.
Sir Julian Pauncefote, writing to Mr..
Mr.. Blaine under date OF February 10,
1892, says:
ION the occasion of our interview on
the 2nd inst, when you handed me the
draft of the Bering Sea arbitration con-
vention, which l forwarded to London
for the consideration OF Her MaJestys
government, you asked me whether they
were prepared to agree TO a modus
vivendi for the next fishery season in
Bering Sea. In transmitting the draft
Nf hn
the Marquis of Salisbury, did not lall
TO inform him Of your inquiry and L
have now received reply from his
LordShip to the effect that Her Majes-
tvs government cannot express any
opinion on the subject until they know
what modus vivendi you desire to pro-
pose"
Mr.. Blaine replying said:
81 an glad to hear that Lord Sails
bury contemplates a modus vivendl,
for il is obvious that it is impossible to
conclude the arbitration within the time
originally set. Indeed we shall hardly
be able to enter upon it, The delays
have been much greater on the part OF
Great Britain than on the part OF the
United States.
"In reply to your inquiry the Presi-
dent suggests that the modus should
be much the same as last year In
terms, but that it should be better
executed. 1t was very ineffective last
year, for there were larger number
of seals in Bering Sea taken than than
ever before. The vessels had already
set out before the modus was agreed
upon, and it was Impossible to
give them notice in time to prevent
them from taking seals. Her Maiesty's
government did not take such efficient
measures as an earlier date this year
will render practicable. II Her Males
tvs government would make her efforts
most effective the sealing in the North
Pacific ocean should be forbidden, for
there the slaughter Of the mothers,
heavy with young, Is the greatest.
This would require notice to the
large number Of sealers who are prepar-
ing TO go forth from British Columbia"
The letter closes with request that
Sir Julian Pauncefote transmit the con-
tents of this note to Lord Salisbury by
telegraph, adding that every day that
is lost now entails great trouble upon
both governments.
second letter from Mr.. Blaine says
fortv-six schooners cleared TO date,
whereas but thirty-one cleared last year
and continues:
81 think from this you will see that il
we do not come to an understanding
soon there will be no need Of the agree
ment relating to seals in the North
Pacific, or in Bering Sea-"
Sir Julian Pauncefote, replying to
Blaine, says he telegraphed the con-
tents of Mr.. Blaine's communication TO
Lord Salisbury, and says:
~ have the honor to inform you that
I have received reply from Lord Sails
bury to the following effect.
I'm the first place, His Lordship
states that he cannot in any degree ad-
mit that the delays have been greater
on the part OF Great Britain than on the
part OF the United States.
"As regards the necessity for another
modus vivendi, Her Msjesty's Govern
ment consented to that measure last
wear. solely on the ground that II was
spnposed that there would be danger
to the preservation OF the seal species
in BerinC sea unless some interval In
the slaughter of seals were prescribed,
both at sea and on land. But
her Majesty's Government has
received no information to show that
so drastic a remedy is necessary for
two consecutive seasons. On the con-
trary. the British commissioners on the
Rerinp Sea Joint Commission have In
formed Her Majesty's Government that
50 far as pelagic sealing is concerned,
there is no danger of any serious dimin-
ntiontof the fur seal species as conse-
onence OF this years hunting. Never
theless, Lord Salisbury would not
object. as a temporary measure OF pre-
cautjon-for this season, 10 the prohioi-
tion of all killing at sea within a zone
extending TO not more than thirty
rautical miles round the Pribyloff
islands, such prohibition being condi-
tional on the restriction OF the number
of seals TO be killed for any purpose on
tbe islands TO a maximum OF 10000.
Acting Secretary Wharton, writing
to Sir Julian Pauncefote, under date OF
March s, 1892, says;
az am directed by the President to
saw. In response to your two notes OF
February Goth and March I'd, that be
notices with the deepest regret, the In
disnosition of Her Majesty's Govern
ment to agree upon an effective modus
for the preservation Of the seals In the
Raring Sea. pending the settlement OF
the respective rights OF that Govern
meut and of the Government OF the