Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-03-17

WASHINGTON. March 9.-The president
Today sent to the Senate the correspond
snce in regard to the Behrng sea question
pvering the period from April 20, 1871, TO
date OF the recent correspondence the
most important are two letters from Sir
Julian founcefote under date OF February ~
and March =, and the reply sant yesterday.
In bis note of February " Sir Julian IN
forms Mr.. Blaine that Lord Salisbury does
not admit, as previously indicated by MT.
Blaine, that desys have been greater on
the part Of Great Britain than the United
States. lie says the British commissioners
have reported that there is no danger OF
serious Gimiuution OF seals and therefore
tho necessity Of the tuodus vivendi is not
apparent Still h0 would not object to IA
prohibition limited to a zone not more than
80 miles around the Prihiov Islands provid-
cd the catch on tie sidnds be limited to
80 900.
la his note OF March Sir Julian presents
arguments 70 support Lord Saisbury's re-
fusal to accede 10 another modus vivendi.
He saws the first was agreed to under stipu
lation that the measure could not be repeal
ed and thap there is no apparent danger TO
the seal Species He adds chat the zone pro
posed is more extensive than that mentioned
by MIR. Blaine on March 10, 1891, aud that
the anticipation OF conflicts considered in
the note of May d, 1891, has been met by
provisions of the Bebring sea act Of Parlia-
meat end order in council.
IN his response sent yesterday, Assistant
Secretary Wharton states that the president
notices with deepest regret the ,indispositon
of h9r ma jesty government to agree upon
IN effective modus for the preservation OF
tho seals in Behring sea, pending the settle
Inent of the respective rights OF the two
governments in those waters and in the fur
.eal fisheries therein. lie calls attention to
the fact that the treaty OF arbitration awaits
only the action of the American Senate and
hat the judgment OF the arbitration tribu-
nal cannot be stared i'll time to control the
conduct of sealers during The present sea-
sen.
An urgent question he says, is what does
good faith. to say nothing of International
comfy. require of the parties 70 the acbitra-
ion. Was IL ever beard Defore, he asks,
hat one party TO such controversy
whether nation OF an individual could
appropriate the whole or any part Of the
income aud profits much less the body Of the
contested property pending tho litigation
without accountability L. * no answer for
the trespasser, it is contended, to say that
the true owner viii have an undininished
harvest next year. Last years harvest
was bis also and further this govern ment
Las already been advised thet Great Britain
repudiates all Obligations to indemnify the
nted States for any invasion of its
Jurisdiction or any injury Done to its seal
property by Canadian sealers.
in conclusion it is stated that this govern
nent will honorably abide by the
Judgement Of the arbitration tribunal
which has been agreed upon wheth-
or that judgement be favorable OF
unfavorabe and vii! not seek to avoid Just
responsibility for any of its acts, which by
the Judgment arc bound to be unlawful
but certainly the United States cannot bt
expected to suspend the defence by suct
means as are within its power Of property
and jurisdictional rights claimed by it pend
ing arbitration and 10 consent to receiv,
them from that tribunal if awarded sEorI
of much of their value by acts Of irrespon
sblo person.
A SIons Sentiment for Protection M nj
the Senators.
WAsHINGToN, March 14-The Senate il
executive session to-day spent an hour in dis
cussing the Behriug sea question. Tb,
matter came before the Senate in the shape
~ q HioS'aGc mum ti'S l'iG"HiOhe III iePiy ~
"A resolution requesting further information
TO the effect Of peiagic sealing.
The president sent extracts from officia
reports OF the Behring sea commissioner
showing that, contrary to Lord Salisbury
statement, the British commissioners hat
conceded that the seals Lad diminished il
number by the hand OF which mean,
largely the acts of pOachers in killing th
seals at sea. 1t was read and then debat
followed very largely similar in character
to those which occurred last week.
The point OF difference was to he seen il
the strength shown by the sentiment favor
able to the protection of the claimed right
OF the United States in Behring sea by al
the resources of the government, pondin!
arbitration. Short speeches were made by
several senators. At their conclusion tn
papers were referred TO the committee Of
foreign relations.
Suggestive Activity at Mare Island.
san Francisco, March 14.-The sam
activity that prevailed Al Mare Island nav,
yard during the Chlian affair has been re
vived because of thu Bchring sea contro
versy and every Indication points to TIA
fact that the | nited States proposes to sen,
immediately north oil the available nava
vessels On tbs Pacific coast station,
THE ARBITRATION CONVENTION.
The Five Points to be Decided at th
Meeting in rari,.