Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-03-31
IT WAS ADOPTED.
Ratification By the Senate of the
Behring Sea Treaty.
The VOTE ON IT WAS UNANIMOUS.


WASHINGTON, March SO.-Two hours
spent in executive session by the senate
yesterday afternoon sufiiced TO complete
the consideration of the Behring sea
arbitration treaty and II was ratified by
unanimous vote at the conclusion of
the discussion.
The debate ITSELF was without incident.
Nj. sherman, who had the treaty In
charge, presented two amendments
which II was believed to be desirable
10 incorporate in the document and
they were agreed to-
One of them provides that the argu-
mcnts and proceedings before the arbi-
traitors shall he in the English language.
This amendment was suggested to Sir
Julian pauncefote a day or two ago.
He said that It appeared proper but
that he should like to secure the formal
assent Of Lord Salisbury to II. This as
sent came In the form of cablcgram
which was shown to the president by
the British minister and was at once
sent to Senator Sherman. who caused
the necessary amendment to he incor-
porated In the treaty.
Exactly the same procedure was fol-
lowed in the cssc Of the second amend
ment, which changes article II Of the
treaty 80 ~ to require the arbitratators
tn make their decisions II possible with
In four months instead Of three from
the close Of the arguments Of council.
This change was believed Ia he desir-
able in view Of the magnitude Il the
subject and the enormous volume of
testimony 10 he considered by the
'bitrntors. The opposition to the
ratification, which had been very much
weakened yesterday, completely disap-
pcared to-day and when the question
was taken directly on the resolution OF
ratification there were no nays, while
the ayes numbered ~, an unusually
large vote in the senate.
After the result had been announced,
the usual resolution notifying the prcsi-
dent Of the action Of the senate was
passed. and the consideration Of the
treaty was complete. There was AN air of
relief about the senator's as they
emerged from the chamber, where they
have been sitting behind closed doors
for 81 many hours during the past two
weeks. All Of them were glad that
troublesome treaty had been disposed of
at last
senator Cullum admitted that he had
originally felt that il should not be rati-
fed, as II looked like surrender Of our
Legitimate rights. hut upon reflection
he had concluded that IL was the best
that could be done at this time, and he
believed that its ratification marked n
distinct advance in civilization. Such
disputes as these, he said, would not
very many years ago have caused ma
tons to hy at each others throats and
cost many lives. lie saw no reason
why, IL we had just claim. we should
! fear to submit II 10 the decision of arbi-
traitors.
lie also believed that the effect of the
ratification Of this treaty would be
larger than was commonly supposed
for he thought il would lead to a final
settlement of the long standing diff
culties which have arisen from the con-
fiicting claims Of the United States and
Canadian fishermen ON the Atlantic
coast
The cabinet at its meeting yesterday
practically agreed to accept Lord Sails
blny's proposition for Il renewal Of last
years mudus vivcndi, with created al
tcrations as To the character Of dam
ages, to he left To the determination of
the arbitrators. II is said that the presi-
dent will communicate his views 10 Sir
Julian Paunccfotc in few days.