The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1892-03-11
BERING SEA.
The Matter Before the Cabinet and
Senate in EEecutive Session
TIE GOVERNMENT IS VERY FIRH
Ana Insists on q Renewal OF the Mods
VIvsndi Of 1891 For the Coming
season-Ths Executive
Session

WAsuTNGroS, March 0--The cal met
meeting yesterday was devoted 20 the
Bering sea question with a view to de-
ciding on q plan Cf action in case Great
Britain adheres TO its rsfusol 10 renew
Tor the present season, pending ar BitrG-
tiou, the modus viveudi of last year.
Ia the absence OF Secrs taries Blaine,
Foster and Noble, action was post
poued until the next meeting in the
hops that the cabinet would then have
the benefit of Mr.. Blaine's counsel
Acting SecFe tary Wharton delivered
TO the British minister yesterday the
reply of this government 20 Lord Sails
burT's note declining to renew the
modus vivendL This reply reiterates
the position or this government and in
sists ol g renewal of the mCdus viveudi
of 1891 for the coming season It is
understood that Sir Julian Pauncefote
cabled the entire text of the note TO
Lord Salisbury last evening,
IN THE SENATE
WAsHINGrOS, March sat $3.50
o'clock yesterday afternoon the senate,
on motion of Mr.. Sherman, chairman
OF tine committee on foreign relations
went into executive session to consider
the arbitration treaty received from the
president There were no copies Of the
correspondence showing the various
steps in the negotiations leading up TO
the signature Of the treaty and the
presidents letter which came with the
document was simply one OF transmit
tai without suggestion or recommenda-
ton The text Of the treaty was read
in full aud a concise explanation OF its
terms and Of the necessities of the case
was made in behalf Of the administra-
tiOu by one of the senator's
When he had concluded there fol-
lowed an animated but not acrimonious
discussion of the document L. soon
to receive severe and formidable oppo-
sitiOn in its consideration. This oppo-
sitioH took several forms and there
were at least several view on the sub
iect
On one hand n body of senators re-
seuted bitterly the idea OF ratifying
any arbitration treaty. They he'd that
waters acquired from Russia was be-
yond question, and that IL would be
cowardly surrender on the part of the
/ government for it to consent to submit
TO the uncertain decision OF foreign
arbitFatorA
A considerable NUN Der of senator's
appeared to believe that the approval
| of the treaty would be distinct gain
[ in the diplomatic battle, inasmuch as
I 1t committed Great Britain to the rec
/ oguitiOn OF the fact that the United
! States had claimed jurisdiction over
I the waters OF berlug sea under the
/ Russian title, pCint which she has
! heretofore steadily refused to allow.
A third party tn ught the treaty
I should not b. apprsvCd finally without
/ the addition OF a clause renewing the
/ modus vivendi Some of the senators
! took the ground that while the treaty
/ might safely be ratified by the senate.
! the administration should be instructed,
] in the event OF the continued refusal
/ of the British government to insure the
! protection of the seal during the course
1 of the arbitration, to order the vessels
I of the United States 70 seize
| every offending vessel without
| regard to nationality They an
! nouuced that if trouble resulted from
the adoption of this course, they were
| prepared to fully support the admins,
l tration in taking all necessary steps tc
l give effect to the existing laws of the
/ United States for the protection oi
l seals. After the discussion had pro,
/ grssssd in this strain for an hour, OF
[ motion Of the chairman the treaty was
l referred TO the committee on foreign
/ relations Meanwhile the interest oil
the senators has been fully aroused
and 1t is probable that when the docu.
ment is reported Tack from the com
mittee, the struggle viii be renegved
at the point where it closed yesterday