The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-04-06
American Ships Will Seize
Canadian Seal Poachers.
THEY CAN'T PLEAD IGNORANCE.
The House Of Commons Passes the Bill
for the Ocean Patrol.
7histie BiiI The House Resumes
Work AppropriAtion Biiis-Im-
proved Condition of National Banks

WssaIS6Toy CRY. April s--Some dis
appointment has been expressed by pub
lie men interested in the Bering sea arbi-
fration because of the inclusion in the
British bill OF q clause exempting from
its operations vessels that have cleared
for the seal waters before the promulga-
tion of the Law. II has been asserted that
fiftr sealing vessels have already cleared,
ana beyond doubt the entire hees. profit
ing by the hint conveyed. may clear from
port before the law is duly proclaimed,
in the expectation of taking full cargo of
skins before they can be oyertaken and
served with notice to stop hunting. OF
course ii this were permitted the results OF
the arbitration would be nuIitied. for the
reason that the slaughter of seals would
be immense and permanently disastrous,
and the state of affairs would be even
worse than last year. when under the re-
straining influences Of the modus vivendi
the sealing vessels captured about 100000
skins.
Rut the Canadian sealers are likely to be
sadly mistaken If they proceed upon the
theory that the British law will govern
the action OF our cruisers. OF course, il
will be the guide for the British warships.
but the failure Of the British act 10 fully
meet the spiri, of the arbitration will not
prevent the United States from carrying
that agreement out according TO the pro-
visions OF our own act. and the Canadian
sealing craft caught in forbidden waters
by American cruisers Will be seized, notice
or no notice.
LONDON, April 5.-Replying to Sir
George Bsden-Poweii today in the house
of commons, sydney Buxton said the
Canadian government generally agreed
with that of Great Britain as to the Bering
sea trouble. but the Canadian government
objected 10 some of the details Of the bill.
Sir Charles Russell then moved the Sec
ond reading of the bill. dwelling on the
foct that the position taken by the late
Lord Idiesieigh on behalf Of Great Britain
had been constantly adhered to
since. Sir Charles afterward pro-
ceeded to Justify the government
decision to submit the Bering sea question
to arbitration. Sir Charles declared the
award established the claim that British
subjects had been injured by seizures of
their vessels, and he took the opportunity
TO say that President Cleveland had not
been slow to recognize that claim.
Mr. Balfour said the course of the gov
ernment seemed wise. 1t had not lost a
single moment in moving the adoption of
tiil TO carry out Great Britain's obliea-
tions, and in doing this act OF international
justice he and his colleagues would give
their hearty support.
Sir George Baden Powell strongly OBJ
jected to the treaty. Some of the pro-
visions. he declared, were ridiculous, while
at the same time many important points
were not touched. Fur seals, he added,
could not be protected unless all modes
of slaughter were covered by the
treaty. Sealing vessels could II =
the flags of nations other than those
which they belonged. and thus escape the
jurisdiction of Great Britain and the
United States. The breeding grounds Of
the fur seals belonging to Russia and
Japan were entirely ignored. Sir George
concluded by declaring he intended to en-
deavor to secure notifications of the bill
now in the house.
Sir Richard Webster, formerly attorney
general, who. with Sir Charles Russell,
appeared as counsel tor Great Britain be-
fore the tribunal of arbitration. said Sir
George Baden Powell did not represent
tho 0EshsOh VI WIG tpNosltApn. kic Nltt
not think the protection of the fur
seals would be objected to. 1t was
great mistake to argue that the treaty
gave Great Britain the show and the
United States the substance. He added
that he was able 10 inform the house that
the American bill had been passed by the
senate and house of representatives and
would now go 20 the president. He ADDED
that the American btll was on the same line
a. the one now before the house OF com
mons. The treaty vas n distinct advance
III the settlement Of the dispute. He
would always remember his own sssocia-
ton with the arbitration with the greatest
pride. When Sir Richard had finished
the bill went 10 its second reading and
MAS passed. The announcement OF the
vote caused prolonged cheers.