Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1892-03-10
THE SENATE HAS IL
The Behring Sea Treaty Laid
Before That Body,
The United States viii Insist on the
Renewal Of the Modus Vivendi
Before RatifYing Il.
SENT TO THE SENATE.

WASHINGTON, March 9.-The Behr-
ing sea treaty has been sent to the SEN
ate BY the president So far as can be
learned it was not accompanied by any
Recommendation from the president
1t IS announced that President Har-
rison will in few days send to con-
gress the spondence on the
Behring sea matter which has accumu-
lated Since the date of the last pub
lished volume dated January 6, 1891.
IL will include, of course, Lord Sails
bliry's refusal to extend the modus
vivendi. 1t is the expectation, al
though this is not known definitely,
that'the president viii accompany the
correspondence with message setting
forth the views of the government
upon the matter
Action OF the Cabinet.
The meeting of the cabinet was de-
voted almost entirely to the con-
sideration of the Behring sea ques-
ton, with a view of deciding on a
plan of action in case Great Brit
ain adaeres to it's refusal to renew
for the present season, pending arbi-
tration, the modus vivendi of last
year 1t is understood that the cabinet
decided to insist on renewal of the
modus vivendi for the preservation of
the seals in Behring sea.
Uncle SANS Position.
The position of the United States,
however, is final and definite. II is
willing to ratify the arbitration treaty,
provided a renewal of the modus vi
vendi can be assured to protect the
seals in the interim before the re-
suits of arbitration can be had.
If this protection cannot be Sc
cured by international agreement with
Great Britain this country will under
take to do it alone. There seems to be
no difference of opinion in the execu-
tive branch of the government that
the United States can only consent to
ratify the arbitration treaty when the
renewal of the modus vivendi is as
sured.
May Send Special Message.
Pronounced opinions are heard about
the dilatory tactics of Great Britain
being in the interest of the seal
poachers. At the meeting of the cabi-
net to-day it is possible that the adj
visibility of the president sending a
special message to congress giving all
the facts up to date will be discussed
There is a general desire among CON
gressmen to have the exact official ut
terances of Great Britain before them
Not to lie Blufed.
Something of scare has been at
tempted because Canada is going TO
place three new cruisers on the upper
lakes in alleged violation of treaty
But the United States is also providing
revenue cutters of an improved sort,
and neither country's action has any
bearing on the seal controversy.
In the Senate.
WASHINGTON, March In the sen
ate Senator Squire (Wash. presented
petition from the chamber of com
merce of Port Townsend, Wash, set
ting forth that the present condition
of the Behring sea fisheries question
worked the greatest hardships to
American fishermen, and praying
that the fisheries of those seas be
thrown open. Senator Squire said he
regarded this as matter of great i'm
portance, and asked that it be referred
to the committee on foreign relations
1t was SO ordered.