Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-03-31
ENDS THE SEALING RO.

Lord SANS Dnry comes Down from
High Horse-His Last Note satistacto,n
/, WASHINGTON, D. c., March 2S-r.N
said on good authority that the psa
dent and his cabinet are we'll nloasS
with the conciliatory tono
Lord Salisbury's note of the oe'
inst. especially as it is held -O
concede the point that has been ~
principal cause of contention. viz
renewal of the modus vivendi Of 10
year for the protection of the g.
fisheries. This alleged concessio,
believed to be implied in ~
proposition to agree to modus vivan
in case the treaty of arbitration is rotN
fed under the condition that AN
government shall guarantee the otbo
for damages incurred through II
suspension of sealing operationsl
One official, who has been consulted n
the President in regard to the nepot;a
tons, said he was especially please
with Lord Salisbury's admission tba
Great Britain would hold !;
self liable for damages resultn
to the United States because of the mo
dus vivendi in the event that the ya'
dict of the arbitrators is adverse to N
contention. 1t is said, taking altocetba,
Lord Salisbury's note is satisfactory
indicating good prospect for an amIca
BILE settlement of the questions
issue. Further corresponding will
necessary to settle the method of daf
termining the character of damaol
claims. Salisbury's two notes are as fol
lows:
In rcplyto your telegram of the 23d inst
notice has been given to owners of Shin
sailing for Behring Sea that both acreo
ments al present under discussion betwea
Great Blitain and the United States. tba
as to arbitration and that as TO miermedl
ate arrangement, may affect the liberty
sealing in Behrlng Sea. They have NOTED
of their liability to possible Interim
ton, and will sail subject to tba
notice. The question of time is not. therel
fore, urgent. Inform the President tina
we concur in thinking that when tba
treaty has been ratified there will arise
new state of things. Until it is ratihc}
our conduct is governed by the languagd /
1T is ratified both parties must admit thai
contingent rights have become vested
IN the other, which both desire to nrOl
tect. We think that the prohibition al
sealing if 1t stands alone will be unjust t}
British sealers if the decision of the arbl
traitors should be adverse to the United
States. We are, however, willing when
the treaty has been ratified to agree to an
arrangement similar to that of last year n
the United States will consent that the ar]
bltratOrS should, In the event Of decision
adverse to the United States, assess theS
damages which the prohibition of sealing
shalt have inflicted on British seale1S during
the tendency OF the arbitration and in thA
event of decision adverse to Great Britt
ain. should assess the damages which hd
limitation of slaughter shall, during tha|
tendency of arbitration, have inflicted olI
on the United States or it's lessee. AS AMI
alternative course we are also willingi
after the ratification of the treaty. to prod
tiers if vessels be excepted FROM
prohibition which produce certifi
cate that they have given security
for such damages as the arritrators may ash
sess i'll case of a decision adverse to Great
Britain, the arbitratOrs TO receive the nec1
essary authority Ill the behalf. In this
case a restriction of slaughter on the ISL
ands will not in point of equity be neces1
sary. Her MajeSty'S government are UNI
(tUlC W SCC OU1lCl Ol.C VI luCoC lNlI
methods of restricting seal hunting in thel
disputed waters during the arbitration
which would be equitable to both parties.
A later note from Lord Salisbury toI
Sir Julian Pauncefote, dated March Is,
says:
With further reference to your telegram
of the 23d inst, | am not prepared to adj
NIT, as / gather what the President thinks
that we have objected to the arbitrator
having jurisdiction as to damages inflicted
in the past by the party against whom theI
award is given. | only objected to llerl
Majesty'S government being liable for aCtSI
they have not committed. | am ready t0
consent to reference on this point on theI
following terms: That in case the arb
traitors shall decide in favor OF the Britt
ish government that government may
ask them further to decide whether incl
United States government has since 1885,,
taken any action in Behrirg Sea directly
inflicting wrongful loss on British Subjects
and if SO to assess the damages incurred
thereby; that in case the arbitrator shall
decide in favor of the government OF the
United States, that government may ask
them to decide further whether the British
government has, since 1885, taken any. ac-
ton in Behring Sea directly iniletlns
wrongful loss on the United States ana
tnelr leSSeeS, ana IL SO 10 assess ILe udlh'
ages incurred thereby.
The President devoted the entire
morning to the consideration of the
Behring Sea matter with a view TO
forming an answer to Lord Sails
bury's note of the Oath. he
had the benefit of the advice Of
Secretary Blaine, Senator Sherman and
Gen. Foster, who were in conference
with him on the subject for some time.
1t is understood the President Is
pleased with Lord Salisbury's presens
attitude.