The morning call., 1892-03-25

Government proceeds during this sealing
season upon the basis Of its contention as
10 the rights of the Canadian sealers, no
choice Is left this Government but to pro-
ceed upon the basis of its confidence that
Its contention that pelagicisealing in Bering
Sea Is an infraction OF its jurisdiction and
property rights His lordshp will hardly
fail to see this. Herein, in the opinion of
The President consists the gravity of the
situation and he is not willing 10 be found
in any degree responsible for the results
that may follow the insistence by either
Government during this season upon the
extreme rights claimed by it.
Small Cause of Quarrel.
''In his opinion it would be discredit in
the eyes of the world If two great Govern
ments should become involved if the paltry
profits of single season should be allowed
TO thwart OF even disturb an honorable and
friendly adjustment of their differences, so
nearly concluded; but, IL his lOrdship shall
adhere to his refusal to unite with us in
prompt and effective measures to stop
pelagic sealing and shall insist upon free
sealing for British. subjects, the question
as 1t affects this Government is no longer
one OF pecunlary loss or gain, but OF honor
and self-resneci. This Government, not
withstandlng its right to take seals upon the
Prlbyloff Islands, is undisputed and wholly
uninvolyed in the arbitration. has proposed
to take no profit from the. island catch, but
limit The taking of seals to the necessities
Of the natives on those Islands, aud it can
not consent that with Indemnity or without
the contested rights of British subjects to
catch seals in the Bering Sea shall be exer-
eised pending the arbitration. The
that Lord Salisbury is serious in
proposing that this Government shall
take senarate bonds from the owners of
about lO0 Canadian sealing vessels 10 in-
demnify itfor IN injury they may severally
inf1ct upon our jurisdiction or property,
and must decline TO discuss the suggestion,
which only his res pect for Lord Salisbury
and his belief that his lnrdship has due
appreciation Of the gravity Of this discus
sion enables him TO treat with serious
ness. We should doubtless have to pursue
and capture upon the sea many OF the
owners of those vessels TO secure the bonds
suggested, and as the condition is to be that
they shall pay any damages which the
arhltrators may adjudge, while treaty
gives the arbitrators no power to adiudge
any damages, the transaction wOu be
without risk to them and of no value TO us.
Ibis Government cannot consent to have
what 1t believes its right destroyed or i'm
paired pending the determination by an
agreed tribunal. however adequate the
security offered
England's Inconsistencv.
Reference in my last note TO the incon-
sistency of her MajeSty's Government in de-
nylng the responsibility for the acts of the
Canadian seaierS WAS not intended to sug-
BtSt any circumstances py WHICH the prop
erty could be converted into a claim for
damages, and particularly as such claim
cannot now be heard or determined by the
arbiiratOrs without any reformation IF the
treaty. for his lOrdship must remember that
while lie now offers what he mistakenly
calls security for satisfying any damages
which the arbtrators may adjudge. he has
already carried his point in the treaty, that
the arbitrators shall have no jurisdiction TO
award any damages. As 10 his iordship's
suggestion that Canadian sealerS may have
some claim Tor compensation il Great Britain
does restrain pelagic sealing, the President
directs me TO say that he is not able 20 see
how the citizens or subjects of either OF the
treaty powers can by any rule Of law or
equity support any claim against their re-
spectlve Governments growing out OF such
necessary trade restraints as the Govern
mentS may lawfully impose to promote the
larger conditions of public good and inter-
national peace.
Immediate Action Needed.
Suggestions that the conclusions of the
Board OF Arbitration may not be reached
and announced iD time 10 govern the con-
duet of the parties during the season Of 1893
is, the President thinks, fully provided
against by the treaty itself If the present
treaty Is promptly ratified and exchanged
our mutual interests would be absolute guar
antee against delay. The President has
found no obstacle in the way of such con-
summation EXCEPT the belief, now unfOrtu-
natey prevalent here, that the refusal of
dTeat Britain 10 agree TO the preservation
OF the status quo of the property during the
arbitration aBd her insistence that pelagic
sealing shall &C on TO the injury. if not the
destruction, Of our rights largely defeats
the objects of the treaty. The President
directs me TO says In conclusion, that the mo-
dus Of last year is the least this Government
can accept in reason. The restraints after
the treaty of arbitration should be more
absolute, not less. He does not desire TO
protract this discussion and having now in
the most friendly spirit submitted the con-
siderations which support the just demand
OF this Government that the property which
is subject of the agreed arbitration shall
not be subject to spoliation pending arbtra-
ton, be expresses the hope that Lord