The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-08-16
AMERICAN OPINION.
Gresham Had no Sympathy With
the United States, ANYWAY.


WASHINGTON. Aug 15.-The news of
the decision was not received at the State
Department with the degree Of disappoint-
ment that might be supposed. Private
information had come that matters in
Paris were not looking favorable to the
United States. and besides there has not
always been in administration circles an
extreme confidence in the strength of the
American case, and considerable differ
ence of opinion existed as to the business
OF the claims made by this Government.
Secretary Gresham declined to give an
expression of opinion on the decision. He
communicated the news to President
Cleveland at Gray Gables. and also had
a long conference with Secretary Carlisle
1t is probable that all vessels composing
the American fleet in Bering Sea will be
Withdrawn except one revenue cutter,
which will be used in maintaining The
protective zone, in accordance with the
decision.
The decision of the arbitratOrs will COM
pei the United States to make compensa-
ton to British subjects for abstaining from
the capture of seals in Bering Sea during
the tendency of the arbitration. This does
not touch the question of damages prior to
that time and further information is
awaited to the nature of the finding
with reference to the seizures of 1887 and
1889 r. =. - -.
Senator Butler said to-day that the
award gave more than he expected and
that he never believed the con tenton that
Boring was closed sea could be main
tanned. ..s--'..
Senator Frye thought the court would
hold that we had a property right in the
seals and says the decision raises a very
serious question as 10 Americas liability
for past action.
Senator Sherman thought the adjust
ment of the close season and the. extension.
OF measures for the prevention Of pelagfc
sealing were very acceptable ...~::.: :. :
PARIS, Aug. 15.-Hon. John w. Foster.
American agent, SAID this evening that he
thought the restrictions of the arbitrator
would render the pelagic sealing industry
Improbable. 1t not only prevented pelagic
sealing during three out of the four months
in which it can said to be profitable, but
broke up the season. The United States,
he said, had not obtained all it commended
for, but the regulations were much better
than those Mr.. Blaine vainly offered to
Lord Salisbury as settlement in 1890.
The consensus OF the opinion of the
American agents is that though technical
success rests with Great Britain on legal
points, on practical grounds the victory is
TO the United States, as the arbitration
was entered upon TO preserve the seals,
and the decision achieves that result
Justice Harlan also thought the general
result of the arbitration far in advance of
anything the United States had demanded.
The members of the tribunal reserved
the right to prepare and file Individual
opinions in the case any time before Janu-
airy l. Justice Harlan will prepare his in
Switzerland. and Will probably return
home in the latter part of September.
Senator Morgan sails for ONE on Satur-
dav.
NEW YORK, Aug. 15.-Frederck R.
COud"rt, who was one of the counsel of
the United States before the Tribunal,
when shown a cable dispatch announcing
the decision said: IF this is so / am
quite satisfied. The object of the United
States was to protect its property in seals
Ii the effect of the decision is 10 protect
the seals the object of the United States
is gained, even though our Government
should not have the satisfaction of maiu-
tanning all its theories
Coudert was particularly pleased with
that portion of the decision prohibiting
the use of firearms in sealing.
EX-Minister Edward j. Phelps, when
asked his opinion. said: 81 regard it as
favorable TO the United States and as Civ
ing all that the Government requires"