Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-03-13
PROTECTIVE SEALS
UNCLE SAM MEANS BUSINESS
Belief That Lord Salisbury WIZ Grant
Modus or Allow us 70 Gen.
uoi Bshring Sea-

hslIsvss thst Lord ssllsbury's backbone
- very much weaker this morning.
while that OF President Harmon 10
skiftsr than ever. The prompt answer
IN which the latter mss the formsr's
blum has had "A effect which 10 BE-
llsvst % have taken large quantity es
starch out Of the t,ttsnng English
premier. The cabIes from London are
proof II any proof were necessary,
that the refusal of Salisbury TO renew
the modus vas due amply TO desire
70 inject . little elixir Of youth intr his
decreplt political fortunes. When be
decided on the refusal he believed that
the United States would step ASIDE
and allow the poachers TO do their will
90 long N they hew the grid-lron.
The firn stand taken by the president
has shown him that this country " no
longer IN tritiing mood. and. while ut
the beginning Of q war our seaports
might suEer, 10 would not be long be-
tore the tide would turn TO the crush-
ing dlscomfiture of Great Britain.
Knowing this, Salisbury is. in diplo-
matte circles. believed to he devoting
his talents to pulling himself ont of
hole into which be deliberately and
bllndly jumped. Assistant Secretary
Wharton says that nothing has been
heard from Salisbury. From an un-
quotable authority of the Departments.
however. IL 10 learned that. while Salis-
bury's reply TO wbarton's last note mas
not been received. the department has
ssssraasies thas Warrants she Belief
ihAt Salisbury will either consent to .
-enewal Of the modus vlvendl or con-
-ede Uncle Sans right 10 protect the
seals pending arbitration, 90 long a.
,ollce regulations are imparually ex-
srcised against all countries. This 10
;orroborAuve OF the dispatch published
IN the afternoon the treaty was sent to
the senate, TO the effect that private
tip mad been received by the govern
ment that Salisbury would come off
his high horse. This belief 10 discover-
able on ali sides. In consequence there
10 Iess war talk IN the senate and house
today. As one grave and reverend
seigpeur Of the senate.put it: Congress
is holding its horses until salisbury's re-
ply is received. Should Saliabury be
taunted into stitf fening his back bone and
making another bluff we shall call it
in . way that will wash away any
doubt that may exist - TO our deter
hazards. don't believe that we shall
have war. II we should, we might get
the worst of IL at first, but we would
ever damage Great Brltain's navy
Great Britain will Be compelled TO pay
tor"
The heads of tbs navy department
deny that any SPECIAL preparations are
being made in view OF the possibility Of
war. Nevertheless, il y known that
President Harrison, Secretary Tracy
and Commodore Ramsey have been
uoldisg DAILY CensaIsatieus
on the subject for the last week to de-
termine In just what manner the navy
could 70 employed, and from an un-
Questionable source il 10 learned that
should hoftiIities be declared, the pres
ident 10 satisfied that her majcsty, the
queen, will not catch Uncle Sam with
mis- hands down.
Senator Sherman TO-DAY gave out for
publication the following statement re-
spectIng the BehrIng sea matter: al do
not wish to commit myself in respect
TO our seal fisheries IN tho PribyloH
islands until Lord Salisbury replies TO
the recent letter of President Harrison.
j regard the treaty now pending with
the highest favor. IL is honorable to
both nations. 1t IS an example OF ar
duration which ought TO be adopted IN
every controversy between two coun-
tries bound by .. many ties xs Great
Britain and the United States. A war
or even q contention between them for
. cause 90 trivial as one years fishing
for seals, would be . CRIME against CIV
iIixssion. IL is manifest that it 10 the
interest and desire OF each to preserve
the Alaskan seal fisheries from de-
ssruction by Canadian poschers on the
high seas. The cupidity of u few ves-
sei-owners pending arbitration threat
ems to disturb the peace and
Asussv OF Two Great Nations
Surely diplomacy ought to be able to
provide some modus vIvendi during
the present season. at may be un-
pleasant aud ungrscious for Great Brit
ain 10 resist by her ships and sailors
the reckless acts Of . few OF her sub-
lects, for whose conduct Lord Salisbury
disclalms all responsibility, hut we are
under no such restraint aud are able to
prevent sucn poaehIng on rights that
We purchased of Russia, and which
Russia and the United States have
openly asserted and enjoyed for one
hundred years. IL is now claimed that
by the law of nations our title 10 not
coed, that seals born and bred on our
soil may be slaughtered in the high seas
when by the laws Of their natuie they
are taking their annual pilgrimage.
We Are willing for the sske Of peace T.
submit this question to arbitration. We
only asa that the seals may not be de-
etroyed by pelagiae tisrlng while the
arbitFstors are sitting
I'VE would gladly share with Great
Britain the expense and trouble OF
maintain ma status ono pending the
arbitration and will faithfully and hon
orably ABIDE by Its results: but i 10 ask
ing leo mech for as ~ the same time
70 siiow the irresponsible aud unfrlsnd
" neighbors to destroy the very suhjesl
rrafter OF the controversy. especially
when we have 81 our command the
means 20 prevent Il. I s1ncerely hope
and trust taat the executive sathcritse.
OF the two countries will find some wsy
10 bridge this diplomatic dsficulsy."
WILL E0AN ~ rRANsFERSEDf