Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1892-03-30

Lord Salisbury Comes Down from His
High Horse--Kis Last Note satisfactory.
WASHINGTON, D. c., March est is
said on good authority that the Presi-
dent and his cabinet are well pleased
with the conciliatory tone of
Lord Salisbury's note of the 26th
inst. especially IS it is held to
concede the point that has been the
principal cause of contention, viz: A
renewal of the modus vivendi Of last
year for the protection of the seal
fisheries. This alleged concession is
believed to be implied in this
proposition to agree to modus vivendi
in case the treaty of arbitration is Tati-
fed under the condition that each
government shall guarantee the other
for damages incurred through the
suspension of sealing operations.
One official, who has been consulted by
the President in regard to the uegOtia-
tons, said he was especially pleased
with Lord Salisbury's admission that
Great Britain would hold IL
self liable for damages resulting
to the United States because Of the mo-
duS Vlvendi III the event that the yer-
diet Of the arbitratOrs is adverse to the
contention. 1t is said, taking ALTOGETHER,
Lord Salisbury's note is satisfactory as
indicating a good prospect for an AMIGA
BILE settlement of the questions at
issue. Further correspondence will be
necessary to settle the method Of de-
termining the character of damage
claims. Salisbury's two notes are as fol-
lows:
n1eply to your telegram of the go INST,
notice has been given to owners OF ships
sailing for Behrng Sea that both agree
mentS at present under discussion between
Great Blitain and the United States that
as TO arbitration and that as to nUermeGi-
ate arrangement, may affect the liberty OF
sealing in BehrIng Sea. They have notice
of their liability to possible Interrupt
ton, and Will sail subject to that
notice. The question OF time is not, there
fore, urgent. Inform the President that
we concur in thinking that when the
treaty has been ratified there Will arise
new state of things. Until il is ratified
Our conduct is governed by the language
Of your note of June Il, 1890 But when
1t is ratified both parties must admit that
contingent rights have become vested
III the other, which both desire to pro-
tect. We think that the prohibition Of
sealing if 1t stands alone Will be unjust to
British SealerS If the decision Of the arbi-
traitors should be adverse to the United
States. We are, however, willing when
the treaty mas been ratified to agree to an
arrangement similar to that Of last year if
the United States will consent that the ar
DltratOrs should, in the event Of a decision
adverse to the United states, assess the
damages which the prohibition Of sealing
shall have inflicted on British SealeTS during
the tendency Of the arbitration and in the
event Of a decision adverse to Great Brit
ain, should assess the damages which the
limitation Of slaughter shall, during the
tendency Of arbitration, have inflicted on
on the United States or its lessee. AS an
alternative course we are also willing,
after the ratification of the treaty, to pro-
hibit sealing in the disputed wa
terS if vessels be excepted from
prohibition which produce a certifi-
cate that they have given security
for such damages as the arritTatOrS may as
SeSS i'll case Of q decision adverse to Great
Britain. the arbitrator TO receive the nee
essary authority Ill the behalf. IN this
case restriction of slaughter on the ISL
andS will not in point OF equity be neceS-
sary. Her Majesty's government are I'M
able to see any other than one Of these two
methods OF restricting seal hunting in the
disputed waters during the arbitration
which would be equitable to both parties.
later note from Lord Salisbury to
Sir Julian Pauncefote, dated March %,
says:
With further reference to your telegram
Of the Esd inst. | am not prepared to adj
nit, as [ gather what the President thinks,
that we have objected to the arbitrator
having jurisdiction as to damages inflicted
in the past by the party against whom the
award is given. | only objected to Her
MajeSty'S government being liable for acts
they have not committed. | am ready to
consent to reference on this point on the
following terms: That in case the arbi-
traitors shall decide in favor OF the Brit
iSh government that government may
ask them further TO decide whether the
United States government has since 1885,
taken any action in Behrirg Sea directly
inflicting wrongful loss on British subjects.
and If so to assess the damages incurred
thereby; that in case the arbitrator shall
decide in favor of the government of the
United States, that government may ask
them to decide further whether the British
government has, since 1885, taken any ac-
ton in Behring Sea directly inficting
wrongful loss on the United States and
their leSSeeS, and il SO to assess the dam
ages incurred thereby.
The President devoted the entire
morning to the consideration of the
Behring Sea matter with a view to
forming an answer to Lord Sails
bury's note of the 24th. He
had the benefit Of the advice of
Secretary Blaine, Senator Sherman and
Gen. Foster, who were in conference
with him on the subject for some time.
It is understood the President is
pleased with Lord Salisbury's present
titIIGn