Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-03-28
A STOP TO WAR TALK.
Lord Salisbury Letter said TO Have Cleared
the Atmosphere.

THE PRESIDENT PLEASED WITH THE TONE OF THE
REPLY-rHE PROPOSITION FROM ENGLAND MAY
BE SUBSTANTIALLY AccEPTED-soME Diff
GUILTY ABOUT DAMAGES.
1t 10 generally admitted today by those who
are in position to know that the letter Of
Lord Salisbury made public from London
means the end of all war talk in connection
with the Boring sea matter and the final settle
ment at an early date.
The whole tone OF the letter Is regarded as
conciliatory to a most satisfactory degree, and
there is little doubt that the proposition made
by Lord Salisbury will be agreed to substan-
TALLY by this government
In his letter Salisbury saws that his govern
ment Is willing when the treaty has
been ratified to agree to an arrange
ment similar TO that of last year If the
United States will consent that the
arbitrators should in the event of decision
adverse to the United States. assess the damage
which the prohibition of sealing have inflicted
on British sealers during the tendency of the
arbitration, and in the event of a decision
| adverse To Great Britain. should assess the
damages which the limitation of slaughter shall,
during the tendency OF arbitration. has IN
| fiicted on the United States or its lessees.
/ As heretofore pointed out in The STAR this
| proposition is in no sense an actual back down
| on the part of the British government. for the
| reason that nowhere in the corrcs-
pondence did Lord Salisbury positively
| refuse to agree to renewal OF the
modus. As general thing the main point at
issue was evolved and the British government
simply held to the position that the salvation
| of the seals did not necessarily mean another
| closed season.
There is an alternative proposition spoken of
in the letter, but the one quoted above is the
one that gives the most satisfaction to this gov
| eminent
The matter Of deciding how the amount Of
damages done can best be determined viii give
rise TO a considerable correspondence in the
near future. but the general opinion seems to
be that the actual negotiations can be amicabiy
concluded with but little more trouble.
TIE PRESIDENT SAID TO BE PLEASED.
The President, it is understood, is very much
pleased with the tone of Salisbury letter and
devoted the better part of the day to a consid-
GRAFTON of the next move he will make
with reference to it, The negotia-
| critical stage have been conducted by the
| President in person and the firm stand he has
taken all along, well has efforts
| TO bring the matter to satisfactory
| conclusion have been received with the
greatest favor on all sides. more especially
among officials in this city VINO have watched
the course OF proceedings with great close
| ness
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.
Upon the subject it is said salisbury's sug-
gestion contains an impracticable feature
that of attempting TO measure damages 10
| Canadian sealers. which were prevented by
the United States from engaging in
| their occupation. This is what the late
| Charles Sumner described as consequent al
damages" 1t would be impossible, in the
| opinion Of the officials interested. 30 make any
| estimate of damages for what might have
been" Actual damages are all that can be
| assessed.
But as stated, the tone of the reply encour-
ages the officials to believe a satisfactory
| rangement can be made with England for the
protection Of the seals, pending the decision
Of the points in dispute by arbitration.
| WHAT coNGREssMEN SAY.
Members OF Congress are unusually retieent
in expressing opinions on Lord Salisbury's
propositions as contained in his last two notes
! to Sir Julian Pauncefote concerning a renewal
| of the modus viyendi.
| Chairman Blount Of the House committee
| on foreign affairs and Messrs. Hit and Nc
| Creary ex-chairmen of the committee, and sew
| eral OF its members refuse to talk on the sub
| ject taking the ground that the Boring sea
| matter is now in the hands of the
Executive and the Senate and that expression
| of opinion By members of the House and par
ticuLrly by members Of the foreign affairs
committee at the present timc would not be
| entirely proper.
Several members Of the committee, however,
talked on the subject in its general aspects.
two Of them only making reference to Lord
| Salisbury's propositions.
Mr. Hooker OF Mississippi took the ground
that as the United States had paid o. 900. 900
for the privileges Of obtaining seals In Alaska.
it should maintain its rights at all
Lord Salisbury was entirely utenable.
Mr.. Hooker said he advocated the preventicn
of pelayic sealing by Canadian vessels. To alb
| dictate our rights now would be, he said to for
| felt not only our rights but our honor as q
| nation. The United States had a clear title and
We should surrender nothing pending arbitra-
ton, nor permit indiscriminate sealing.
Mr.. ODonneH OF Michigan said that when
!, the United States obtained Alaska it secured
certain vested rights In regard TO the sealing
privileges which could not be surrendered. He
| thought that the rights of the United Seascs
should be asserted and maintained.
Mr.. 0Donnell said that while he believed IN
arbitration for all international differences, vet
In This instance there were certain privileges
| which would be unjust and dishonorable for
the United States TO release pending arbitratioa.
Mr.. Rsynor Of Maryland said that - q menu
| Der OF the committee on foreign affairs he pre-
ferred not TO speak until the matter came be-
fore the committee. (if il ever did. but his i'm
| preston was that the demand Of Greet Britain
was rather en- e1treme one and thas .
compromiss should Be agreed on during the
pende.cy Of the proceedings and before me
| ratification Of the trSaty. Il seemed 10 him
| that some course Of action mutually -
/ eeptab 10 to both governments could be agreed
ON. Al Arss impulse the suggestion of
Lord Salisbury was NOT In his opinion. . very
unreasonable one, although he Thought Il
NOT anticipate any trouble On account Of ths
| eoufPDverIv