The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-08-15

once taken by the United States to Sc
cure a cor ptinuance Of the modus
viv nl, which would expire on May
], 1892. II protect our own ghts the
pre- ident issued on the 18th Of February,
1892, proclamation warning all persons
OF their liability to arrest and punish
ment il they should be found sealing In
Behrng sea Ia violation OF the laws OF
the United States.
lDTae British government opDose1
tae renewal of the modus vivendi
as requested by the Uoited States.
Lord Salisbury based his re-
refusal upon the report OF tho British
commissioners that sealing In the open
sea wonld not endanger the destruction
OF the species. and he objected to another
years suspension OF the industry whici
was important to Canada Lord Sails
bury, however, proposed that sealing
should he prohibited within thirty
miles OF tie PriLilof is ands and
that the catch by Americans
ia those islands should be limited
TO $4,000 seals. On the 29th Of
February 1892, treaty was signed In
w, ,shing;on by Mr.. Blaine on the
part of fhe Unitel States and Sir
Julian Paunce;ote on the part OF Great
Britain by which che whole controversy
WAS relsgated to an international
arbitration commission To be
composed of seven nembers.
On the Ia Of March the treaty was sent
10 the senate for ratification. but the
president and his cabinet decided
To mainta It's demand tor
renewal of the modus vivendi.
The points to be submitted to arbitration
we're set ont in the sixth article OF the
treaty as follows:
fections Of Article Six.
/. What exclusive jurisdiction in the
sea known as the Behriog sea, and what
exclusive rights In the seal fisheri es
therein did Russia assert and exercise
from and up to the time OF the cession OF
Alaska to the United States?
2. How far were these claims of jurisdc-
tion as to the seal fisheries recognized
and conceded by Great Brilliant
Was the body OF water known as Behr
ing sea included in the phrase Pacific
OCEAN" as used In the treaty OF 1875 be-
tween Great Britain and Russia and wha
lshts, IL any. IN Behring sea were held
anu exclusively exercised by Russia
after said treatgs
4. Did not all the rights OF Russia as
jurisdiction and as to the seal fisheries in
B.hrihg sea east Of this water boundry.
in the treaty between the United States
end Russia the 30ih Of March, 1867, pass
unimpa red TO the United States under
that treaty?
5. Has the United States any right,
and IL so what right, OF protection of
property In the fur seals frequenting the
tal. Fel I. a. nah 81
SEA when suca seals are found outside
the ordinary three mile limit
How arbitrator were Chosen.
These points were TO be decide d by
seveu arbitrators, two to be named by
the president. two by the queen, one by
the president of the French republic, and
one each by the king of Italy and the
king of Sweden. and were TO meet in
Paris.
Certain Questions Not Touched.
The treaty did not, eon-sary to popu-
lar belief, touch the question Of damage
for illegal sealing on the one hand, or for
illegal seizure OF vessels on the other.
This. however, was settled by an agr g.
ment between Mr.. Blaine ana Lord Sails
burg, under which claims for damages
followed the award of the commission.
The Negotiations.
No answer hal been returned to our
demand for renewal Of the modus
vvendi on March s, and on the
10th Lord Salisbury's attention
was again called to the subject. On
TIE 10 h of March Lord Salisbury
replied dsclining to renew the modus vi
vendi for various reasons. The president
on the 22nd OF March replied very
vigorously to Lord Salisbury and
declared that the United States
should insist upon the right to prevent
Geep sea sealing as n matter of honor
and self-respect." He further said: "It
her majesty's government proceeds dur
ing the sealing season upon the basis OF
it's contention as TO the rights of Canadian
seaers no choice is left this government
but to proceed upon the basis Of its conf
dent contention that pelagic sealing In
BE ring sea is an infraction Of it's juris-
diction aud property rights"
1t Looked Serious.
For a time it looked as il the differences
between the United S ates and Great
Britain would become serious and It was
not until Lord Salisbury 8
reply to tie presidents
note OF the 22nd, which was received on
the Goth, that matters assumed more
pacific appearance. In this note Lord
Sal sbury expressed Willingness TO
agree TO renewal OF the modus
viveudi on the condition that the nation
whici was defeated in the arbitration
should pay to the other suci damages as
might be assessed by the commission as
a result of suspension OF sealing.
Question OF Damages.
The question of damages was
satisfact rilg settled, and on
April is Secretary Blaine aud
Sir Julian Pauncefote con-
cludei new modus vlvendi providing
for closed season, MS in 1891, including
the agreements AS To damages IL went
to the senate April 10. 1892
Arbitrators and Counsel
The United States arbitrators we're:
Justice John NJ. Harlan of the United
States supreme court and Senator John