The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-03-24
.EvASivE AND EQU|vOCAL.
The Nature Of salisbury's Reply
Refusing to Renew the
Modus Vivendi.
Harrison's Rejoinder Vigorous
Assertion That Rights Will
Be Maintained.
His Note Meets with Hearty Approval by
the senators-It Creates Quite a
Sensation.

WASHINGTON, March %. Tho Bering sea
cosrespondence was laid before the senate
in executive session at noon. Tho reading
Of Salisbury's note refusing to consent to
renewal Of the modus vivendi and making
counter proposition was received by il
suppressed irritation by the senate. The
note is evasive and equiyocal. The presi-
dents rejoindor broadly hints that Sails
bury has not met the overtures in a straight
forward manner; insists on renewing the
modus viyendi without reference to insiR-
niticant or irrelevant conditions, and
closes with the stirring assertion that if
Great Britain declines to assist in protect
ing seals during arbitration he will proceed
to enforce the laws and exclude poachers
from Bering sea. il the military forcs Of
the United States is required TO accom-
plish IT.. The note created sensation in
the senate. After half an hours discus
sion the correspondence was referred to
the committee on foreign relations.
The gravity Of the case led to the renewal
Of tho strongest effort Of senators to pre-
vent the publicfro being made acquainted
with the facts until ths correspondence has
progressed further. There was no express
sion of opinion by the president in the let
ter OF transmittal, but this was not needed,
in view Of the clearly defined position as
sumed BY him in the 1ejoinder to Salisbury,
which appeared to meet with the unnnim-
ous approval Of senators, although debate
was too short to disclose officially the stand
ing of the senators. Although there has
been nothing i4 the nature Of a direct vote
upon the treaty of arbitration, and there is
we'll defined opposition to it rs sur
render by the United States of her rights
as acquired by treaty with Russia, it can
be stated that tho treaty will soon be rati-.
lied by tie SENATE, but resolution will ao-
company it reciting that there does not ap-
peas to be any sufficient reason for abate-
nent by the United States Of its claims to
jurisdiction pending arbitration, and
authorizing the president to use all the
protection, Of the rights Of the United
states.
Lord Salisbury does not in his note, re-
fuss to inter into modus vivendi of some
kind, but, automatically speaking, he fails
to consent TO the proposition made BY this
refused to make the correspondence public,
it's difficult TO- get Y clear idea Of the
points intended to be changed, but nm
doubtedly tho impression generally con-
veyed was that Lord Salisbury refused to
renew last year's Arrangements. 1t can be
stated that there is nothing in the nature
Of an ultimatum on the part of either gov
eminent in the correspondence laid before
the senate. It is still considered inoom-
plete, but underlying the formal phrase
ology Of diplomacy is the evident intention
on the part of this government to bring the
matter to point of definite determination
before the scaling season is far advanced.
The presidents reply, it is thought, will
greatly tend to the attainment of the de-
sired result.