The record-union., 1892-03-25
special to the REcoRp-uN1ox.

iSDeCidi 10 the feECOhD-CHlOSs
WASHINGTON, March 24.-The CORE
3pondence received yesterday from the
resident relative to Behring Sea has
2een made public. The first communi-
cation is from Sir Julian Pauncefote to
NJ. Wharton, under date of March 10Th,
ating that he had received reply from
ord Salisbury to Wharton's note of the
81 b instant to the following effect:
ahLISBURY'S REPLY TO WHARToN'S NOTE.
Lord Salisbury again points out that
he information in possession OF her
ajesty's Government does not lead
lem to believe that another years sus-
,3ension of sealing is necessary to prevent
Undue diminution of the seal herds.
lis lordship, however, proceeds to OBJ
81 rye that beyond this question il is con-
deced by your Government that they
ave right to be protected from loss
ley may incur from free sealing this
year in the event Of their claim to Behr-
.lg Sea being upheld by the arbitrators.
He states that her maiesty's Govern
Z ent does not dispute that after the rati-
cation of the convention there will be
8ome foundation for this contention, but
adds that the prohibition OF all sealing as
"a remedy has this defect: That the Brit
zsa sealers excluded from Behring Sea
would have undoubted ground of COM
. Amt if the British claims are upheld by
The arbitrators. Moreover, there is no
security that arbitration will he concluded
14fore the sealing season of 1893. Serious
tonnage would be caused the industry by
Il suspension of sealing for long period.
a view of all the above considerations,
4 appears TO her majesty's Government
lat it would be more equitable to pro-
g5de that sealing in Behring Sea shall
continue, on condition that the owner OF
e cry sealing vessel shall give security
-Cr satisfying any damages the arbitrators
y ay adjudge. / shall be glad to learn
nat the above suggestions meet with the
occurrence of your Government.
PRESIDENT HARRIsoN's REPLY.
Under date OF March 22d Mr.. Whar-
ION replied as follows: / am directed by
fhe President to say that your note of the
.lth inst. has had his immediate atten-
non, in view OF what he deems the ex-
IRENE urgency and gravity of the matter.
4 ne urgency grows out OF the fact OF a
Jurther protraction to make any mOdatS
.Ueffectual to protect the Interests Of the
nited States and give Canadian sealers
practical immunity by reason Of the inn
disability Of communicating TO them the
freed restrictions. 1t is known TO this
government that SealerS have fastened
Heir departure to escape notice Of a pos
- Ole m0dHS, and every day almost adds
o the fleet that must now be overhauled
III sea. Already forty-Seven Canadian YES
sells have cleared for the sealing grounds,
- against thirtyone at the same date last
ear, and are engaged in following up
and destroying the seal herds. These
Vessels will, if not stopped and turned
buck at the passes, go into Behring Sea
rId pursue to the very shores of our
Islands the slaughter of mother seals
eking the accustomed rookeries to be
delivered of their young. This is crime
esgainst nature.
This Government expects to show, if
arbitration proceeds, that female seals
constitute the larger portion of the catch
81 pelagic sealers. That in view of this
serious and confident contention of this
Government, his lordship should assume
hat another years suspension Of such
scaling Is not necessary Ito prevent I'M
due diminution of seal herds, !" and should
insist that, pending arbitration, it shall
go on precisely as if no arbitration was
;greed upon, is as surprising as it is dis
appointing. If her majeSty'S Govern
Jnent so little respects the claims and con-
1entions Of this Government as to be I'M
willing for single season to disregard
them, the President cannot understand
why Lord Salisbury should have pro-
posed and agreed to give to those claims
the dignity and standing which reference
TO high court of arbitration implies.
From the moment arbitration was
agreed upon neither party was at liberty
TO disregard the contentious of the other.
Itimust be assumed that the sincere pur-
pose of the two Governments was 10 pre-
mote peace and good will, but if pend
inss arbitration deals with the subject
O. it solely upon the basis of its own con-
teltion and in utter disregard of the
Claims of the other, this friendly end is
uoiC only not attained, but a new sense OF
: injury and injustice is added, even If il
should be found possible to proceed with
an arbitration under such conditions.
lqr it must not be forgotten that il her
1naiestv'S Government proceeds during
tits sealing season upon the basis of its
contention as to the rights OF Canadian
sp4lers no choice is left this Government
but to proceed upon basis of its conf
dent contention that pelaglc sealing in
Behring Sea is an infraction of its juris-
diction and property rights. His lordship
vii hardly fail to see this. Herein, in
the, opinion of the President, consists the
gravity of the situation, and he is not
Willing to be found in any degree re-
sEsonsible for the results that may follow
It's insistence by either Government dur
ing this season upon the extreme rights
Cltiued by it.
In his opinion it would be discredit in
tht, eyes OF the world TO the two great
Governments involved if the paltry
profits of single season should be al
lowed 10 tilWart or even disturb an non
orlbIe and friendly adjustment of their
differences, so nearly concluded: but il
lis lordship shall adhere to his refusal to
unite with us in prompt and effective
IL easures 10 stop pelaglc sealing. and
snail insist upon tree sealing for British
subjects, the question as it affects this
Government is no longer one of pecuniary
loss or gain, but of honor and selt-respect.
This Government, Notwithstanding its
li-ht to take seals upon the Pribyloh
islands, which is undisputed and wholly
,I4tinvolved in arbitration, has proposed 10
tajte no profit from the island catch, but
limit the taking of seals TO the necessities
81 the natives of those islands, and it can
m consent that, with indemnity or with
ct the contested rights of British sub
ia,ts to catch seals i'll Behring Sea shall
ba exercised pending arbitration.
The President finds it difficult to be-
lieve Lord Salisbury is serious in pro-
,tosir,q that this Government shall take
1soarate bonds from the owners of about
g hundred Canadian sealing vessels TO
;r,lamnify it for injury they may sever
civ infiict upon our jurisdiction or prop
.rty and must decline to discuss the sug-
e.ns,ion- which only his respect for Lord
sa1;shnry and his belief that his lordship
b@s dne appreciation Of the gravity OF
80 succession, enables him to treat with
sa-ionSness. We should doubtless have
- nursIle and capture upon the sea many
of the owners of those vessels to secure