The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-08-16
THE NEWS AT wAsHISGTOH.
Gresham WOuldp't TaIk-Yiews OF Senators
Butler, Frye and Sherman.

Gresham Wouldp't TaIk-yiews OF Senators
Butler. Frye and Sherman.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 15.-News Of the
BehrinR sea decision was not received at
the State Department. with that degree of
disappointment that might be supposed.
Secretary Gresham was asked to give an ex.
preston of opinion on the decision. but this
he declined to do, holding that 1T would
not be proper for him to comment on the
matter. Mr.. Gresham communicated the
news to President Cleveland at Gray
Gables. and also had long conference with
Secretary Carlisle, presumably with refer
ence to future action concerning the
maintenance of our feet in Behring sea.
1t is probable that all tho vessels compos-
ing it will be withdrawn, with the excep-
tion of one Of the revenue cutters, which
will be used In main ntaining the protective
zone of sixty miles about the sealing ISL
ands of the United States. in accordance
with the decision OF the arbitrators.
The regulations OF the arbltrat0rs sp-
pended to the decision are adopted under
Article OF the treaty of arbitration.
ThesA regulations were based on an agree
pointed by Great Britain and tue United
States. In accordance with Article 5 Of
the convention for the renewal of the
modus vlvendi the deoision of the arbi-
traitors will compel the United States to
make compensation to Great Britain (for the
use of her sublectsl for abstaining from the
capture of seals In Behring sea during the
tendency of the arbitration. This article
deals only with damages for the short peri
Cd during which the arbitration proceed.
ings were being conducted. and does not
touch the question of dam ages prior to that
time. Questions Of fact were submitted to
the tribunal. and the arbitrators have
handed down special finding on them
with reference to the seizure of British ves-
sells in Behring sea in 1887 and 1889. Fur
ther information Is awaited as to tho ma.
ture of this finding. which will probably
afford clew to the measure of damages
likely to be assessed against the United
States
Senator Butler. of the Senate committee
on foreign relations. said: THE award
Rsve even moro than We expected. IL
never believed" said the Senator. that
the contention of the United States. that
the BehrIng sea vas q closed sea. could DO
maintained The sea was too large body
of water for such q claim to be exercised
over and necessarily. tho court having de-
cIded against us on that point the others
incorporated under the first four sections of
Article o, OF the treaty, fell with It. The
chief thing In which we were interested
was the prevention of that kind of sealing
which 10 surely destroying the seal life,
and If England intends to join with US in
the preservation of the seals and establishes
and maintains closed season between cer-
tain dates In both the Northern Pacifc and
the Behring sea. We have achieved vic.
tory and gained the material point"
Il am disappointed aDout this decision"
said Senator Frye. "for l believed the
court would hold that We had property
right in the seals. IL raises q very serious
question as to tho liability for past action.
which | am not now prepared TO discuss.
OF courae so far n the decision goes in the
direction of projecting the seals. | am
gratified, though | do not think 1t goes far
enough. l don't think pelagic sealing
whole subject. | am inclined to think that
the sealeries of Alaska are about destroyed
already"
Senator Sherman said: Il think the ad-
justment of the close season. and tho pro-
lection of the islands for sixty miles and the
extension OF measures for the prevention
OF pelagic sealing TO the Northern Pacific,
az we'll as the BehriDg sea. are very accept
able. do not wish to say anything about
the decision as to the five points until
have read the full award"
Opinions of Cnudsrt and Phelps.
NEW YORK. Aug. 15.-Frederick X.
Coudert. who was one OF the counsel of
the United States before tho tribunal.
when shown the cable dispatch announc-
ing the decision. said: IF this is so | am
quite satisfied. The object of the United
States was to protect its property IN seaIs.