The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-03-26
English Liberals Will Oppose Sails
bury's Policy Of Dealing With
This Government
Are not Bound to Uphold Cana.
dian Adventures in Illegal
Enterprises.
At First Inclined to Uphold Him Through
Motives of Patriotism and Loyalty--
They Change.

LONDON, March 25.-Until the liberal
leaders have examined the Bering sea cor
respondence, which, it is promised, will be
made public Monday, no party action on
on the question can be taken. But from
the draft Of the correspondence as laid be-
tore the United State senate, they have al
ready determined to adopt an attitude in
opposition. week ago the liberal leaders
were inclined to support Lord Salisbury,
and the liberal organs took an adverse
view to the position assumed by the United
States. Whether it will DO policy that will
dictate change Of front or sense Of jus
tioe Of the American claims, it is certain
that the opposition leaders have decided to
attack Salisbury and arraign him as pursu-
ing needlessly vexatious course instead Of
asserting to the reasonable arrangements
offered by the Washington government.
Gladstone's organ, the Speaker, will to-mor-
row contain an article which, after analyzinR
expert evidence, maintain that renewal
OF the modus vivendi ought to be assented
to BY the British government, and con
tipues: why should the government be
asked to promote the success OF Canadian
adventurers who deliberately undertake a
dangerous speculation of doubtful legality
and utility to mankind2 We are not going
to war with the United Strtes, not even in
the interests of the federation Of the empire,
and pending arbitration it is unjust to Re-
fuse to continue an arrangement which ia a
part of the condition under which arbitra-
tion was agreed upon" The unionist organ,
the Spectator, advocates settlement that
will open the seas to Canadian sealers with
provision for recompense to Americans
in the event Of the decision of the arbi-
traitors being against Great Britain.
Lord Salisbury's reply to President Har-
rison's last note should be in the possess
sion OF the Washington cabinet to-day.
Although no official statements regarding
it's character are obtainable. the official be-
lief is that Salisbury will agree to place an
embargo on Canadian sealing il the open
sea, provided the United States government
agrees to pay compensation if the arbltra-
| tion decision be against American claims.
Whatever may be the ISSUE the idea of an
| armed collision is dismissed on all sides as
supremely improbable. A formidable list
of the United States ships received here,
which p; are said to be repairing to
2Bering sea, caused incredulous surprise In
the commons interest centers on the ques-
tlon purely as party one, neither side
having the remOte6t sense OF any crisis af-
fectlng peace. Popular interest in the
question is very slight. At the admiralty,
officials know nothing of any change in the
Pacific squadron as rumored. The War
spite, Melpomene and Champion are under
orders for Esquimault, March s. The
Daphne is at Esquimault. the Hornet and
Nymph remain ON the southern division
and the Pheasant in Hawaiian waters for
the present. From the movements of ves-
sells it is evident they are not associated
with any acute phase of the Bering sea
difficulty.
The Army and Navy Gazette will dismiss
| the matter with the observation that it is a
fuss over a political question and mere
bluster, and that runors of naval move
ments are only gossip. The departure for
! Vancouver of the claim settler for the Ma
rine Insurance company and Treasury
Clerk Greadowe are connected with the
notice to Canadian sealers to file claims
within month at the customs office at
Victoria. Sir Charles Upper suggested to
the colonial secretary the question Of the
rmanent appointment of a Canadian at
tache to the British legation at Washing
ton to act as special adviser on Canadian
affairs.