Los Angeles herald., 1892-03-27
The Minds of the Senators
Cleared Up.
Popular Ignorance of the QueS-
G tiOn at Stake.
Salisbury's Radical Change of Mind
Since Last June.
The Belief Entertained That the Modus
vivendi Will BE Renewed in the
End-Prospects of War
SubsidiDg.
ssec;stea Press Dispatches.

Associated Press Dispatches.
WASHINGTON, March 26.--The minds
of the majority of the senators have
been considerably cleared of misappre-
hension as to the points involved in the
dispute between the United States and
Great Britain by the discussions in
executive sessions the past week. 1t
would have been we'll, according to ore
of the most broad-minded senators, If
the public could have been truthiully
informed upon these points, for popular
ignorance prevails in England as we'll
as the United States, if the London
newspaper comments are a criterion.
For instance, it was suggested that
if the United States consented to
seal vessel owners in the event
the arbitrators decided that the clai N
OF the United States was not we'll
founded, Lord Salisbury would renew
the modus vivendi. 1t is learned now
that 30 far back as last June the president
suggested that the question OF the
liability of each government for dam
ages inflicted upon citizens or property
be left to the decision of the arbitrators.
The British government declined to
commit itself to the doctrine that it is
responsible for the acts OF its subjects,
which, in the language OF Salisbury,
t'involves the proposition that her
majesty's government is liable to make
good the losses resulting from the wrong
action of persons sailing outside of their
jurisdiction under the British flag"
kn TInital Gtntao hoe
been willing to drop the question OF
damages, but has insisted that if it is to
be considered, the question submitted
should also include the determination
of the loss inflicted upon the United
States through the illegal killing OF seals
by British subjects. The president
finally consented to a modification,
which is included in the treaty, permit
ting the two governments to submit to
arbitration facts bearing upon claims
for damaa es, and leaving to future de-
termination the question of liability.
The question of damage was left in this
condition when the treaty was signed,
and has not since been touched upon in
the correspondence.
It was argued on the part of those sem
stors who said that the British govern
ment would doubtless consent to the re-
newal of the modus vivendi if it could
assure Canadian vessel owners against
loss from the illegal seizure of their
vessels, that as Great Britain made an
agreement with the government of
Sweden and Norway for the protection
of seals on those coasts, and also con-
sented to an agreement with France
looking to the regulation of the fisheries
of the North sea, she would be willing
to enter into fair arrangement of the
same nature with the United States.
When the modus vivendi was negotiated
last year, Salisbury said in the lords, re-
ferring to the determination of the
seals: ut seems to US, on the whole,
that the proposition is reasonable one
and we should be fully incurring the
censure, not only of the United States,
but of other civilized countries, if by
adhering too closely to any technical
right we should run the risk of the de-
Htruction OF this valuable industry and
valuable animal"
There is much speculation in the
senate as to the cause of the sudden
change of mind by Salisbury. His os-
tensible reason for the renewal of the
modus vivendi is the representation OF
the commissioners sent to Alaska, to
the effect that there is no necessity for
the renewal. The real reasons are be-
1ieved by number of senators to
be disposition to use his present posi-
tion to gain concessions from the United
States upon other points of the contro-
versy, such as unsettled claims for
damages, to favorabiy impress Canada
with an apparent disposition to heed
her demand and avail himself OF the
present opportunity to retaliate upon
this government for the alleged infrac-
tion of the spirit of last years modus,
in permitting the North American Com
mercial company to kill more than
$4,000 seals.
1t is believed that these reasons will
so far influence Salisbury as to prevent
the renewal of the modus on the same
terms as last year, but not to determine
him In his effort to use force to protect
the sealers for actions he declined to
assume responsibility for.
A cabinet officer said today that he
felt confident that Great Britain would
consent to renewal of the modus vi
vendi OF last year; or. if not, will not
interfere or resist the efforts of this gov
eminent to preserve the seals pending
arbitration. Nothing further than has
already been published has been re-
coiyed from Lord Salishury