Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1892-03-09
THE MODUS v|VEND|.
Cabinet Will Insist
Upon Its Renewal.
PRESERVATION OF SEALS
Can Only Be Accomplished by Joint
Action of America and England.

meeting yesterday was most important
one, Notwithstanding the absence Of Sec
retaries Blaine. Foster and Noble. The
entire session of two hours was devoted to
the consideration Of the BehrinG sea ques-
tion and Lord Salsbury's latest communt-
cation in opposition 10 q renewal OF the
modus vivendi. All present participated
in the discussion, and the opinion was
unanimous that the position assumed by
the British government was untenable,
and not justified by the condition OF the
sealing industry. The argument was
made that the opening of Behring sea for
the present season for the slaughter OF
seals by poachers would result In serious
injury, If not the total destruction OF the
industry.
II was. therefore, decided to insist on
modus vivendi somewhat similar To that
Of last year, having foS its object the pro-
lection Of the seal fisheries by the joint 40
ton of Great Britain and the United
States, pending settlement of the questions
at issue by arbitration.
Another matter considered was the
transmission to the senate of copies Of the
correspondence on this question that has
taken place since Jan. O. 1891, in order to
aid that body in its consideration Of the
treaty of arbitration. While the general
opinion was favorable TO this couse, 1t was
concluded to leave the question open for
few days. This correspondence would in
clude the last communication from Lord
Salisbury respecting q modus vivendi for
the coming season, and its transmission to
the senate may be delayed few days that
itmay include also the response to Lord
Salisbury.
1t Is learned that Acting Secretary
Wharton delivered TO the British minister
last evening the reply of this government
TO L ord Salisbury's note, declining to re-
new the modus vivendi. This reply reit-
crates the position of this government,
and insists on a renewal Of the modus
vivendi for 1891 for the coming season. IL
Is understood that Sir Julia Pauncefote
cabled the entire text of the note TO Lord
Salisbury. This government is desirous OF
reaching n prompt agreement i'm regard to
the fisheries, so that IL may be officially
promulgated before the departure of the
sealing fleets now fitting out in this coun-
try and Canada
The Treaty before the Senate.
," The Behring sea arbitration treaty was
sent to tho senate by the president, and the
senate went into executive session TO con-
slider It, The message Of the president
and the full text OF the treaty were read.
There was nothing of an important nature
in the presidents letter, it being simply q
letter of trausmittal and containing no
recommendations or suggestions After
short, concise explanation Of what the
treaty proposed, an appeal TO the senate
concerning the urgent necessity for speedy
action was made ON behalf of the
administration by n prominent senator.
An animated and interesting discussion,
free from acrimony, however, followed on
the subject matter of the document, and
some Of the remarks that were made
showed disposition on the part Of some
senators, particularly among those from
the Pacific coast, TO wage earnest opposi-
ton to its approval If not to its considera-
tion.
Several senator's were uncompromising
in their attitude They held that there was
no question as to the right of the United
States to the waters acquired from Russia
by the Alaska treaty Of 1s6, and contended
that the submission of this right to the
decision of foreign arbitrotors was a
cowardly surrender on the part Of this
country. Ratification, under these cir
cumstances, they resented bitterly. Much
feeling, almost general in its character,
was manifested over the omission from the
treaty of n clause renewing the modus
vivendi, and some senators urged that q
refusal to- do this during the pendency of
the arbitration proceedings justified the
United States i'm directing its armed YES
sells to seize any sealers, without regard to
nationality, found violating the present
law.
The discussion lasted more than an hour
and ended with the reference Of the treaty
TO the committee Oh foreign relations, but
the discussion was only the beginning of
opposition which will probably arise when
the treaty is brought before the senate for
consideration.
The correspondence in the negotiation
proceedings was not sent to the senate.
Charged with an Awful Crime.
HOLLAND Mass, March o.--Ira B. Fow-