Morning journal and courier., 1892-03-10
HERRING FIsHERIES.

The eCOrrespOndcnceD Discussed in the
 Senate-rh1s Government and Great
 Britain will CO-Operate fin Prevents
 ing POaching-The Documents in
 Reference to This Question Will be
 Printed and Made Public.
 WASHINGTON, March 9.-The senate spent nearly three hours this afternoon in the consideration of the Behring sea seal fisheries questions. The subject came be- fore it through the presentation of the presidents message transmitting the corre- spondence on the subject since May 4, 1891, between this government and the govern ment of Great Britain. The presidents letter of transmittal was read and great deal of the correspondence was read by the executive clerk. This pro- ceeding consumed much of the time during which the senate was in executive session. On the conclusion of the reading another debate similar in character to that which characterised yes terday's proceedings was begun. More over the same speakers occupied the floor and gave reasons to strengthen the argu- ments advanced by them yesterday in favor of and against the ratification of the treaty. The committee on foreign re- lations through it's chairman stated that it had not yet been able to fully consider the treaty and report it to the senate. It appeared from the discussion that a large majority of the senators were of opinion that the treaty should be vidipg for the renewal of the modus vii vendi or that the resolution of ratification should be accompanied by a direction to the president to withhold exchange of notifications until Great Britain consented to renewal. A great deal of discussion consisted of questions relative to the actual condition of the seal fisheries and the exact effect of the operations of the poachers. It appeared that very few senators were informed on these points. The chairman of the Sherman called attention to the signi6- cant fact that Lord Salisbury had in the correspondence repudiated any responsi
 bility on the part of his government for the action of the poachers. The senator thought that the United States had gained in it's contention through this admission. He urged strongly that when the treaty was reported it should be ratified by the senate, taking the ground that by doing so the United States would give evidence to the world of it's willingness to arbitrate dent might be relied on thereafter to continue his efforts to accord the consent of England to renewal of the modus yivendi. If he failed to receive this consent it would make plain to the world that Great Britain was not prepared to act with fairness in the arbitration, and moreover there was, in his opinion, no l reason why, in that event, the United States should seek for English cooperation in the protection of our own property. If ! there was failure to secure re- | newal of the agreement, the presi- dent could be relied upon to execute 1 the laws and seize all offending ves- l sels. Senator Allison took similar g1 ounds, ] as did Mr. Morgan, while other democrats | declared their intention to support the | president in any patriotic movement of | that kind. Senator Teller, however, had grave doubts as to the ability of the United States to protect the seals without the CO
 operation of England. He pointed to the
 obstacles in the way of efficient police
 patrol of the large area of water, and fell
 it would be beyond the ability of our gov
 ernment to effectually exclude poachers
 unless England joined in the proclamation ! of exclusion.
 At the conclusion of the debate in wa
 ordered that all the documents should b.
 printed and then made public. It was th,
 common understanding that the treat,
 should be kept before the senate until tn,
 correspondence had progressed sufficient,
 to enable the senators to form an idea a
 to the attitude which Great Britain intend
 finally to assume in respect to the modu | vivendi