Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-03-31
BRITAIN BACKS DOWN
Lord Salisbury Promptly Replies to
President HarriSOn's Note
of March %.
In His Answer He Virtually Recedes
from His Past Posi-
ton.

WASHINGTON, March 2s.-The threat
sned war between this country and
Great Britain is off Such was the
opinion in the Senate this morning.
based on the reply of Salisbury, cabled
from London. The reply is a very
graceful backd own on the part of the
British premier. Considera bic surprise
was expressed that Salisbury should
have replied so soon after the Presi-
dents note of March %. His doing so is
looked epon as proof that Salisbury
has all along been playing a bluff
game and that he regarded the note in
question in the light of an ultimatum.
and naturally concluded that the sooner
he threw up the sponge the better.
Besides General Foster and Senator
Sherman, Secretary Blaine, Senator
Frye, amember of the Senate Commit
tee on foreign relations, and Represent
atlye Blount were in conference with
the President They had under con-
siderat ton the terms of the reply to the
proposition of Lord Salisbury respect
ing the question of damages before the
arbitrators as affecting the renewal OF
the modus vivendi.
The President will prepare his reply
and submit it to the Cabinet tomorrow
and then in all probability will send it
to the senate. He may demand further
concessions from Lord Salisbury, but
until he does the majority of the Sena-
tors believe that he will express himself
satisfied with the reply. Should he do
so the treaty will be ratified at once
and the war cloud which has been
lowering above the nation for some
time past will fade into an irridescent
dream.
The British man-of-war Warspite,
flagship of Rear Admiral Hotham, left
Santa Barbara yesterday morning and
will arrive at San Francisco to-day on
her way to Behring Sea.
Lord Salisbury's reply says in parts
Eve are willing when the treaty has been
ratified, to agree to an arrangement SINH
lar to last years if the United States will
consent that the arbitrators, in the event
of decision adverse to the United States,
assess damages inflicted Oh British seal
ers during the pending of arbitration, and
in the event of a decision adverse to Great
Britain assess damages which the limita
ton of slaughter shall, during the pen
dency of arbitration; have inflicted
on the United States or its les
sees. As an alternative we are will
ing, after ratification of the treaty, to
prohibit sealing in disputed waters If the
vessels be excepted from prohibition
which produce certificates that they
have given security for such dam
ages as the abitrators shall as
assess in case of a decision adverse to
Great Britain, the arbitratOrs to receive
the necessary authority In that respect
In this case the restriction of slaughter
on the ialand will not in point OF equity,
be necessary. Her majosty's government
is unable to see any other than one OF
those two methods of restricting seal hunt
ing in the disputed waters during the ar
bitration, which would be equitable to
both parties.
LONDON March % On March % Lord
Knutsford wrote Lord Stanley, governor
general Of Canada, to direct the proper
port authority at all harbors on the
Pacific coast to inform owners of vessels
who were clearing for Behring sea of the
fact that the gu stion was re-
ferred to arbitration; that it
is possible a decision may be
given within the present season and that
both governments have made propositions
for immediate regulations restraining the
catch of seals in case said agreement Is
ratified.
Notice is given that all sealers propos-
ing to seal in said waters do SO at their
own risk, and after warning of the liza
bility to interruption to which they will be
exposed in consequence of said agreement.