Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1892-03-25

confident contention of this government
that his lordship should assume
that another years suspension OF
such sealing is not necessary
ssto prevent undue diminution Of seal herds
and should insist that pending aroltratlon
it shall go on precisely as if no arbitration
had been agreed upon, IS as surprising Is
disappointing. If her majesty's govern
ment so little respects the claims and con-
tentions of this government as TO
be unwilling TO forbear for
single season to disregard them
the president cannot unuertand why Salls-
bury should propose any way 70 give those
claims the dignity and standing which
reference to high court Of arbitration I'M
plies. 1t must not be forgotten II her mai
esty's government proceeds during the
Fealing season upon the basis OF
its conten ion as to rights OF CANA
dian sealers no choice is left this gov
eminent but to proceed upon the basis OF its
confident contention that pillag1c seal
ing in Behring sea is an infraction Of juris-
dictional and property rights. his lord
ship viii hardly fail to see this. Herein,
IN the opinion of the president, consists the
gravity of the present situation and he IS
not willing to be found in any degree re-
sponsible for the results that would follow
insistence by either government during this
season upon the extreme rights claimed by
#. If his lordship shall adhere to
the refusal 70 unite with the United States
in prompt and effective measures to stop
.pillavic sealing and shall insist upon free
Sealing for British subjects the question
as il Affects this government IS no longer
one Of pecuniary loss or gain, but one OF
honor and seif-respect This govern
ment, Notwithstanding the fact of It's
right to take seals upon Prybiloff
Islands undisputed and wholly uninvolved
IN the arbitration. has proposed to take no
profit from the island catch, but limit the
taking of seals to the necessitates Of the
natives Of those Islands, and it can't con-
sent, with indemnity or without, That the
contested rights of British subjects
TO catch seals in the Behring sea be
exercised pending arbitration. The presi-
dent finds it difficult to believe Salisbury
is serious in proposing this government
take separate bonds from owners Of about
leo Canadian sealing vessels to indemnify
it for injury they may severally infiict
upon our Jurisdiction or property and must
decline TO discuss i suggestion which only
his respect for Salisbury and the belief
that his lordship has due appreciation of the
gravity of this discussion enable him
to treat with seriousness. This govern
1uent cannot consent to have what it be-
lieves TO be its rights destroyed or i'm
paired pending determination by an agreed
tribunal, however adequate the security
offered. Sucn claim cannot be now heard
or determined by the arbitrator without
reforr alton of the treaty, for his lordship
must remember he has already carried his
point. in the treaty that arbitra-
tors 'haae no Jurisdiction to award
damages. As to his lordship's suggestion
that Canadian sealers may have some claim
for com ensatiOn if Great Britain Restraints
pillagic sealing, the president desires me
to say he is not able to see how citizen or
subject of either of the treaty pow
ers can by any rule of law
or equity support any claim against
his respective government growing
out of such necessary trade restraints as
the government may lawfully impose to
promote larger conditions of public good
and international peace. The suggestion
that the conclusions of the board of arbi-
tration may not be reached, and announced
in time to govern the conduct of the parties
during the season of 1898, is, the president
thinks, fully provided against by the
treaty itself. The president desires
me to say in conclusion that the modus of
last year is the least this government can
accept. In reason the restraints after the
treaty of arbitration should be more not
less. He does lot desire to protract this
discussion and having now IN
the most friendly spirit sub
mitted the considerations which support
the Just demand of this government that
property which is the subject of the agreed
arbitration shall not he subject to spoilia-
ton pending arbitration, he expresses the
hope that Lord Salisbury will give prompt
and friendly assent TO renew the modus.
The president will hear with regret that
her majesty's government continues to as
sert the right to deal with this settlement
of the dispute"
The president transmitted the CORE
spondence without comment.