The record-union., 1892-03-24
speelal to the REcoRp-UN1ox.

WASHINGTON, March 23.-SenatorS Sher-
man and General John M. Foster, of the
State Department, held conference with
the President this morning on the ad-
visibility of the prompt transmission to
the Senate ofthe Behring Sea correspond
ence passed between this country and
Great Britain since the Sth inst. The
correspondence consists, it is understood,
OF two notes, the first being Lord Sails
bury's cabled note of the 18th and the re-
ply from the President, dated yesterday
1t Is broadly intimated that the implied
disposition on the part of Great Britain
to resent any interference by this Govern
ment with vessels flying the English flag
III pelagic sealing in the Behring Sea
would undoubtedly result in rejection of
the treaty in its present form.
There is every reason to believe that
President Harrison has taken Just as firm
stand in the Behring Sea matter as he
did i'll the Chilean affair and that he will
refuse to take backward step not en-
Clrely IN conSOnance with his exalted
idea of American rights and honor.
Salisbury's irritating notes have been
characterized by evasion and triviality
The President is understood to have
asked for a straightforward statement
and the announcements of definite policy
on the part Of the British Government,
and stated plainly that this country pro-
poses TO act in an honest and vigorous
manner throughout.
The Secretary of the Navy has said
that, II necessary, four big cruisers and
four revenue cutters will be sent to Behr-
ing Sea, and that their Captains will be
Instructed to act the same as if there was
Nn& tly.rft ftc.l, Il
leagues. so far no orders have been sent
to the commanders of the cruisers, ex-
cept that they hold themselves in readi-
ness for service.
prominent Senator who has taken
leading part III the Behring Sea discus
sionS in the executive sessions of the
Senate says: 'Iou can tell your people
on the Pacific Coast that there is no divis-
ION Of sentiment on the seal question
among the Senators. Irrespective of
party they are unanimous in their sup
port OF the Administration. They think
as if with one mind"
THE SENATE EXPRESSES DISPLEASURE
The Behring Sea correspondence was
laid before the Senate in executive session
at noon. The reading of Salisbury's
note refusing to consent to renew the
mOdUS UiUe1df and making a counter
proposition was received with ill-sup-
1
note is evasive and equivocating.
The Presidents rejoinder broadly
hints that Salisbury has not met his
overture IN straightforward manner
He insists on a renewal of the m0d2s
0t0end3 without reference TO insignificant
or irrelevant conditions. and closes with
the stirring assertion that if Great Britain
declines to assist in protecting the seals
during arbitration he will proceed to en-
force the laws and exclude poachers from
the Behring Sea, If the military forces of
the United States are required to accom-
plish it. The note created a sensation in
the Senate.
Lord Salisbury does not, in his note. re-
fuse to enter into moduS Uice7adi of some
kind, but, automatically speaking, he
fails to consent" to the proposition made
by this Government. Inasmuch as the
Senate has refused to make the CORE
spondence public, it is difficult to get
clear idea of the points intended to be
conveyed, but undoubtedly the impress
sion generally conveyed was that Lord
Salisbury refused to renew last years ar
rangement. 1t can be stated that there is
nothing in the nature of an ultimatum on
the part of either Government in
the correspondence laid before the
Senate. 1t is still considered in
complete; but underlying the formal
phraseology of diplomacy, it is the
evident intention on the part of this Gov
ernment TO bring the matter to point of
definite determination before the season
is far advanced. The Presidents reply.
it is thought will greatly tend to the at
tainment of the desired result.
After a half-hour discussion the CORE
spondence was referred to the Committee
on Foreign Relations.
GRAVITY OF THE CASE.
The gravity of the case has led to the
80 =
Senators to prevent the public fromIbeing
made acquainted with the facts until the
correspondence has progressed further.
There was no expression of opinion bv
the President in the letter of transmittal:
but this was not needed in view of the
clearly defined position assumed by him
in his rejoinder to Salisbury, which ap-
peared to meet with the unanimous an
proval of the Senators.
Although the debate itself was too short
TO disclose officially the standing of the
Senators, and although there has been
nothing in the nature of direct vote
upon the treaty of arbitration. yet there is
Well-detined opposition to it as a sur
render by the United States Of her rights
as acquired by the treaty from Russia, Il
can be stated the treaty will soon be rati-
fed by the Senate, but a resolution will
accompany it reciting that there does not
appear to be any sufficient reason for the
abatement by the United States of its
claims to jurisdiction pending arbitra-
ton, and authorizing the President to
use ali the military arm of the Govern
ment to insure protection of the rights Of
the nited States.
DANGEROUS DEADLOCK.
LONDON. March 23.-The Chronicle saws:
The Behring sea case looks like dan
gerous deadlock. The diplomacy of
President Harrison's reply is hard te
grasp, particularly coming from a nation
that is the professed admirer OF peace.
The Graphic says: The dispatch OF
a portion of the Pacific Squadron
northward shows that Lord Sails
bury is not disposed TO recede from
his position. Happily there is plenty of
time Tor further negotiations. President
Harrison has apparently taken Lord
Sallsbury's compiacence for irresolution.
hence the staggering reioinder.
The Telegraph says: I'VE hesitate to
qualify the news as alarming, but it is
certainly troublesome and disquieting.
We can only hope that President Harri-
sons threat OF military coercion is in
accurately represented. Its always well
to remember in dealing with American
bravo OF this description that the cleo
tons afford an excuse for language which
IN quieter times would be considered
outrageous Still we cannot abstain from
the hope that the expression is exaggera-
ted. Neither can we Imagine such an at
tempt to ernbroil the nations will assist
President Harrison in the election. He
may rest assured that we are not likely