The record-union., 1894-03-29
snecial 10 the RECoRD-UN1ox.

Special to the RECoRD-UNIoN.
WASHINGTON, March 2S.-Minister
Bayard has been pressing upon the atten-
ton of the British Foreign Office the
necessity of speedy action upon the
modus vivendi, relative to seal hsherles,
by one on broader lines to conform more
closely to the decision of the arbltrators.
There is reason to believe that the Brit
ish ambassador here will soon receive
authority to consummate such an agree
ment. by which the small differences re-
specting the extent of the closed zone will
be adjusted on the basis of the forty-sec-
ond parallel. This would make it inn
possible for sealing vessels to lawfully
take seals anywhere in the Pacific north
of the boundary between California and
Oregon after May lst.
1t is understood the main point of diff
ference arises from the insiStence OF the
British Government that warning be
served on the Canadian sealers who go
into the forbidden seas before the agree
ment is ratified, as preliminary to seizure.
Secretary Gresham has taken the ground
that the vessels have already had sut-
ficient warning in the publication OF the
discussion of the arbitrators and their de-
cision. This point, however, does not
appear to involve difference so raGlcal
as TO threaten an amlcable understanding.
Secretary Gresham had an interview
with the President to-day after Sir Julian
Paunceiote's visit, and an evidence OF
the intention of the Administration
was afforded by the selection of vessels
for the patrol fleet. and the beginning OF
the preparation for the sailing orders of
the fleet. The vessels designed TOR the
service are the Mohican, Captain Z. T..
IL Ntc.it1 I'll
the Alert, Captain Morgan; the Benning-
ton, Captain &. NJ. Thomas; the Ranger,
Captain Longnecker; the Adams, Captain
Brice: the Concord, Captain Goodrich;
the Petrol, Captain Emery; the revenue
cutters Bear, Kush and Corwin, and the
Fish Commission vessel Albatross.
The patrol will include twelve service
able vessels, and, with one exception, the
Rush, they will probably all be ready to
assume their position by the lst of May,
and follow the seal herds north from the
California boundary line as soon as they
appear, making it warm for the poacherS
who may seek TO operate III the North
Pacific and Behring Sea this season.
While Captain Clark of the Mohican is
the senior officer of the fleet, it has not
yet been decided which Of the fleet shall
act as flagship.
Admiral W alker started from Washing
ton this evening for San Francisco, to
take the steamer on April 9Th for Homo
lulu.
LoNDoN, March S.-Attorney-Gen
Sir Charles Russell will introduce in the
House Of Commons tomorrow bill pro-
viding for the proper enforcement OF
Behring Sea arbitration. There is no
question of a new modus vivendi. 1t is
understood that the bill will not be op-
posed.
Sir Charles Upper, Canadian Com
missioner to London, who was one of the
British agents at the Behring Sea tribunal
of arbitration in Paris, held long inter-
view to-day with Sir Robert Meade at the
Foreign Office. Sir Charles expresses
the opinion that although it would have
been preferable to have had no delay in
legalizing the award of the tribunal of
arbitration, there was every reason 10
believe all the countries concerned in the
seal fisheries would peacefully conform
TO the award directly on legalizing.