The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-03-26
WILL ENGLAND FIGHT?
AN OPINION THAT SHE VIII NOT
Go to tho Expense OF War with Us-In Case
ofTroubie We VIII Not be Wholly In
prepared-Behring Sea Gossip.

WAsmSGToY ID. c.. March o5.-The sole
subject Of talk in official circles is the danger
of war with England. Few believe that war
will result, but all see the danger OF il and
look for England to recede from the position
she has taken to avert it, as they regard that
position utterly untenable. The prevailing
opinion seems TO be that war is preferable
To the United States retiring from the posi-
tion she has taken. In reaching the conclu-
sion that England will not fight, it is taken
into constellation that even to succeed in the
war. to gain control Of the seal fisheries ana
to establish her contention respecting the
Behring sea- would not compensate her IN
any degree for the untold millions she would
lose in damage to her commerce on the seas,
the confiscation of her subjects property Ia
the United States. the loss Of her subjects
money invested in United States registered
bonds and the hundreds OF other channels
that would lead to financial disaster, aside
from the enormous expense of the war itself.
The idea is always advanced that in case OF
war. with Ireland in turbulent state. Russia
awaiting herself an opportunity TO pouncee
onto India and acquire that country: England
would have her hands full both at home and
abroad, and. even il successful. could not
but come out of the war with her power
shorn and her credit well nigh gone lhese
reasons are advanced by thinking mon here
as likely TO form such public opinion as TO
overturn Lord Salisbury rather than permit
him to go to war with the United States.
NOT WHOLLY UNPBEPARED FOR WAR.
No fears are expressed on any side as to the
ultimate outcome should war be declared.
but at the same time. while not expecting II.
the Unted States will not be wholly unpre-
pared should it come. Aside from the actiy-
ity which was displayed by the navy IN anu
cipation of trouble with Chill, officials OF the
army are beginning to bestir themselves. not
in actual war preparations, but IN acguaint-
| ipp themselves with the strength OF the
enemy. The United States navy IS now
stronger than for many years and attention
| is being directed to the army. In event OF
war Canada would doubtless be
attacked and overun Immediately
| The official reports of the Canadian Govern
ment show that they have in the militia
$1,000 men. On the muster rolls OF the
| United States there are 130 900 militia. The
| United States army Is 25,OOO strong ana Il
| formidable force ls now on the Canadlan
border. The Nineteenth infantry Is s1a-
toned at Detroit. Mich. the Ninth infantry
at Sackett's Harbor, n. Y. five companies at
Forts Niagara and Porter, the Fourteenth
infantry at Vancouver -,
Aside from this formidable force, whlch
could be thrown into Canada at these seYerai
points at few hours notice. strong bodies Oh
|
Canadian border at Forts Buford, Spokane
Sherman and Assinaboine. These facts were
very generally discussed at the War Depart
ment to-day. aud created some little enthu-
siasm. as tie old veterans OF the last war
shifted battle from atar.
small but significant order was issued
from the Treasury Department this afternoon.
transferring Lieutenant John l.. Relnourg
from the COlfaX TO the Rush. Both are
revenue cutters, the former at Wilmington,
Il. c. and the latter at San francisco III
shows that all vacancies on tho revenue cut
ters are being filled in ANTICIPATION OF pelnB
called into active service.
HARRIsoNs 5 POSITION DEFENDED.
"Much has been said about Lord Salisburys
notification to the President that he would
not renew the existing modus yivendi respect
ing sealing in the Behrlng sea. said pr0mi-
nent official today 1T has been quoted as
if the fact precluded President Harrison from
taking the stand he has and that because
Lord Salisbury made that statement June
6th last year the President somehow is
guilty OF a very serious offense IN insisting
| upou a renewal at this time. Suppose
| ord Salisbury did say he wouldn't renew the
modus vivend - continued the gentleman,
| is the President to be bound by the asser-
! tions Of the British Premier, IL SO. better
| let His Lordship settle the whole question his
own way and have done with 1t. But the SIT
! nation now is very different rom what IL was
! then expected it would be.
"Having practically agreed upon arbitra-
| ton and signed modus vivendi 70 continue
/ in force until the time when It was supposed
! tbe arbitration would have been finished,
! Lord Salisbury proceeded TO defeat the IN
] mediate conclusion OF the treaty by attacking
| one or another Of its clauses and IN THIS way
! POSTPONED for months the signing OF the
! document 10 which he had suDstantialy
/ agreed Now that the time has shipped away
!
| fnses 10 renew the mOdus vyendl and those
| Americans who must sneeZe when the Eng
! Tsb Government take snuff. recite IN a
! chorus that the United states was duly
warned months ago OF what the position To-
! Joy was likely to be- All through the busl-
ness. concluded the gentleman, LORD Sals,
! bnrv has been insincere and triIhng ana
! tbink il is high time Tor the United States to
assert its rights in the matter"
pusI1Y rREPARING OUR CASE.
Tba officials at the State Departme Mt
! charged with the duty of preparing the case
| ~ tie United States for the arbltrators on
! the Rehring Sea cOntrOs ersy. We're busNy en-
| gaoed today General }. ". roster Is IN al
80 constant conference with Mr. Frank
a,.tr;d,se the solicitor of the department.
and Nr J. Stanley Brown vino VISITED the
/ saoi Islands las. year as special agent OF the
Ccvornment. and MIR Ivan PETROL. who was
enecial census agent in Alaska have Joined
| professOrs Mendenhal anu MeiIlaui' 'he
| Rebrjno Sea commissioners, IN aiding Heneral
| TCster in preparing and arranging the date
non which this Government VIII present
onpd rest its case. This will include the FOR,
NAL reports of Professors Mendenhali and
MARIAN which are not yet fully completed.
| and a vast deal OF evidence and information
collected by them and Messrs Brown and Pe-
| trof " A. l.. ,s 10, 49,
citino-lardly interesting IN a news sense
/ There was nothing TO do IN the Behrlng sea
,nstter and IL was discussed only informally;
There was no truth in the rumor which found
circulation during the afternoon that Lord
Salisburv had replied 10 the Presidents note
&c The 2jd the last in the correspondence re-
centiv published. Likewise Cabinet officer
etates there was no truth IN the statement
ss.','Iirhad in tine New Nork Times this morn
rna - the eject that the Russan Minister
lad notified the President that his Govern
msnt r~I would increase the Russian iieet 10
Behring sea.
NO RATIFICATION BY THE SENATE YEr.
Tba Senate of the United States again de-
,.otad Itself 20 the Behring sea ArDliratiCu
,r',tv ,o"e o-dav. but did not take action on It,
I,nmediatoly aftor the routine business OF
,ha rnornjug had been finished the Senate at
lHo -" l1a.l, want into secret sess on. on mo-