New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-03-10
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Lord Salisbury's proposal in equally emphatic
terms and the publication of his letter OF February
80, with the exposure of his deliberate purpose to
foster peagic sealing, makes it pretty certain that
the executive branch of Congress will not sub
nit to an arbitration convention at all unless the
British Government will agree to suppress Cana
dian poachers by enforcing another close season
on Bchrng Sea.
Although the arbitration treaty was not re-
ported back to the Senate to-day by the Com
nittec Of Foreign Relations. and is, in fact, stil
under consideration in that committee, ncverthe'
less. tie receipt OF the correspondence from the
President led 10 renewal in secret session
OF yesterdays interesting and animated discussion
on the general features Of the Behring Sea con-
troversy. Many of the Senators whO spoke yest'r-
day spoke again to-day, and the drift Of opinion
was strongly in the direction OF the ratification
of the treaty. with the proyiso that ratiications
are rot TO be exchanged with Great Britain until
another modus vivendi shall lie obtained. This
procedure WAS thought 10 le more convenient and
practicable than the addition OF separate article
to the treaty, Insisting upon close season for this
year. The proposition Ia rctaliate on Canadian
railroads by deprving them Of bonded privileges
was also vigorously advocated means OF
forcing England to renew last years agreement,
and the bill for that purpose introduced to-day by
Senator Morgan was commended by a number OF
speakers. IL makes goods in transit through the
United States TO Canada subject to the i'm
port duties goods intended for sale and Use in
the United States Under the present law they
90 through in bond and pay customs dues until
they enter the Dominion. Certain limited sorts
of transit trade covered by the provisions OF
Article 80 of the Treaty Of Washington
empted from the application of the proposed law.
Similar legislation was recommended TO the Ltb
Congress by President Cleveland. but neither ths
House nor the Senate adopted the suggestion.
DISCUSSION IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
The Senate spent nearly three hours this after
noon in the consideration of the Behring Sea seal
fisheries questions The subject came before il
through the presentation of the correspondence on
the subject. On the conclusion of the reading.
another debate similar TO that which characterized
yesterdays proceedings was begun. The same
speakers occupied the floor and gave reasons 10
strengthen the arguments advanced by them yes
terday
The Committee Foreign Relations. through
It's chairman, stated, in answer 10 question, that
it. had not yet been able fully 20 consider the
treaty and report it TO the Senate. IL appeared
| from the discussion that large majority of the
Senators were of opinion that the treaty should
he amended by the addition of a clause providing
| for the renewal Of the mOdus Vivendi or that
the resolution Of ratification as already Indicated
should be accompanied by direction 10 the Presl-
dent to withhold exchange of ratifcations until
Great Britain consented 10 a renewal gfeat
deal of discussion consisted of questions and
answers relative TO the actual condition of the
seal fisheries at present, and the exact elect oil
the operations of the poachrIS. II appeared that
! few of the Senators were Informed on these essen
| tia points.
MR. SHERMAN'S POINT.
The chairman of the Committee on Foreign
| Affairs senator sherman, called attention TO the
| significant fact that Lord Salisbury had. in the
correspondence, Iepudiated any responsibility on
| the part OF his Government !or the action of the
poacners ] lie Senator thought the United States
| had gained in its contention through this admis-
sion. lie urged strongly that when the treaty
was reported 1T should be ratified by the
Senate, taking the ground that by doing
50 the United States would give evidence to tine
world Of its Willingness To arbitrate the questions
| involved. The President might be relied upon
thereafter 10 continue his efforts secure the
| consent of Great Britain to a renewal of the modus
| vivendi. Ii he failed to receive this consent IL
| would make plain to the world that Great Britain
was not prepared TO act with fairness in the arbi-
| tration. Moreover, there was, in his opinion. no
reason why. in that case the United States should
seek for Englands cooperation in the protection
| of our own property. If there was failure 10
! secure a renewal of the agreement. the President
| could be relied upon 10 execute the laws and
| seize all offending vessels
| senator Allison took similar grounds, did
| senator Morgan. while other Democratic Sena-
tors declared their intention 10 support the Presi-
dent in any patriotic movement of THAI kind.
senator Teller however. had grave doubts TO
| the ability of the United States 10 protect the
| seals without the cooperation OF England lie
| pointed 10 the Obstacles in the way OF efficient
police patrol Of the large Of water. and felt
! that il would he beyond the ability of this Cow
crnment 10 erectualy exclude poachers unless
| England joined in the proclamation Of exclusion.
At the conclusion of the debate. it ordered
that all the documents should h printed and
| then made public. II was the common under.
standing that the treaty should be kept before
the Senate until tho correspondence had advanced
sufficiently to enable thr senators 10 form an idea
Is 10 the attitude which GTat Britain intends
finally T. assume in respect 10 the mOdus vivendi.