The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-03-25

.AhS oituutiVh tS SEitituIs
WASHINGTON. D. c., March 94.-At
the conclusion OF tho executive scssi IN
OF the senate, which lasted four hours,
tho correspondence received yesterday
from the President relative to the Bcring
seTwas made public. 1t comprises two
communications. The first one, dated
Washington, March 10, to Sir Julian
Pauncefotc, says in part:
Lord Salisbury again points out that
the information in possession OF Her
AIajesty's government does not lead
them to believe tha. another years
suspension OF scaling is necessary to
prevent an undue liminution OF the
seal herds. The prohibition of all seal
ing as 4 remedy has this defect, that
the, British sealers excluded from
Bcring sea would hayc an undoubted
ground OF complaint ii the British
claims should be upheld by the arbitra-
tors. Moreover, there is no security
that tho arbitration will bc concluded
before the sealing season OF 1893. Seri-
Gus damage would be caused to the
industry by suspension OF sealing
period. In view OF all above consider
ations, it appears to Her NIajesty's
government that it would be more
equitable to provide that sealing in
Berins sea shall continue on the con-
dition that the owner OF every vessel
shall give security for satisfying any
damages which the arbitrators may
adjudge.
In reply Mr.. Wharton replies under
date OF March %: IL
am directed by tho President TO say
that your note dated tho 10Th inst, and
delivered on the Goth inst, Sunday
has had his immediate attention in view
OF what he deems to be the extreme
urgency and gravity OF tho matter un-
der discussion. Tho urgency grows oul
OF tho'fact that much further protrac-
.tion OF this discussion will make any
modus that may be agreed upon inef-
fcctual to protect tho interests OF the
United States, aud will give to the
Canadian sealers practical, immunity,
by reason OF the impossibility OF com
muuicating to them the agreed restric-
tions. Its known 10 this government
that the EealGrs have hastcned their
departure to escape notice OF possible
modus and that every day almost adds
to the fleet that must now be overhaul
ed at sen. Already II Canadian vessels
have cleared for the scaling grounds
las against 81 at the same date last year,
and are engaged III following up and
destroying the seal herds. These .vcs-
sells will, il not stopped and turned
back ct the passes, 20 into tho Bering
sea aud pursue to the very shores OF
our islands the slaughter OF the mother
seals seeking the accustomed rookerics
to be delivered OF their young. This is
a crime against nature. This govern
mcnt expects to SHOW, il the arbitra-
ton proceeds, that female seals consti-
tute the larger per cent OF the catch OF
the pelagic sealers.
This government, Notwithstanding
the TACT that its right 10 take seals upon
the islands is undisputcd and wholly
uninvolvcd in the arbitration, has
proposed to take 10 profit from the
island catch, but to limit tho taking OF
seals to the necessities OF tho natives OF
those islands. The President finds it
difficult to believe that Lord Salisbury
is serious III proposing that this govern
ment shall take separate bonds from the
owners Of about 100 Canadian scaling
vessels to indemnify it for the injury
they may severally inilict upon our jur-
is1iction or property, and must decline
to. discuss suggestion, which only his
respect for Lord Salisbury and his be.
lief that his lordship has a due appre-
citation OF the gravity OF this discussion,
enables him to treat with seriousness.
The President directs mo, to stay in
conclusion that the lnodus OF last year
is tho least that this government can
accept. In reason. the restraints, after
4 treaty Oi arbitration, should be moro
absolute, not less. He does not desire
to protract this discussion, and having
nowin the most friendly spirit submit
ted the considerations which support
the Just demand OF this government
that the property which is tho subject
ofan agreed arbitration shall not bo
subject to spoiliation pending the arbi-
tration, he expresses the hope that Lord
Salisbury will give aprompt and friend
ly assent to ronew the modus.
Tho President will hear with regret
that her Majesty's government contin-
ues to assert Il right 10 deal with this
subject precisely rs ii this provision
had been made for settlement Of the
dispute; and in that event, this govern
ment. us has already been pointed out,
will bc compelled 10 deal with the SUBJ
ject OH tho same basis and to use every
mears in its power to protect from de-
struction OF. serious injuryproperty and
jurisdctional rights which it has long
claimed and enjoyed. III
The President transmitted the cor.
rcspondcncc without comment.