New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-05-28
GRESHAM BLUNDERED AGAIN.
4 COSTLY MISTAKE NARROWLY AvERTED.
THE DEPARTMENT WAS ABOUT TO NEGOTIATE
A TREATY GIVING TO ENGLAND BENEFITS
NOT ENJOYED by HER UNDER THE
BEHRINC SEA AWARD.
,,v TELEGRAPH TO TIE rRrgusE,

further the nbeclllty OF this Administration IN the
MANAGEMENT Of international affairs came to light
Yesterday The incident relates 10 the Hehrins ga
case more particularly to the Interpretation OF the
meaning Of the provisions OF the Paris award ard
the mcthcl OF executing them. But for a happy
accident It seems this country would nave LOST
important advantages gained through the award'
and would be to-day the laughing stock OF Europe.
especially of England. had the Senate by any
chance approved the Administrators programme
The incident serves In particular TO show the utter
incapacity of Secretary Gresham to cope with the
diplomats Of foreign countries. with whom his POSI-
ton as Secretary OF State compe.s him 10 treat
from time to time.
II appears that the meaning Of the provisions
OF the Paris award causcl President Cleveland and
Secretary Crcrham much doub; and worry Il could
not hc decided by them whether the award was
conclusive IN Itself whether some further ac-
ton by arreeme3: between this country and eng
land was necessary. For several days the Presl-
dent and his Secretary OF State aborel in vain 10
decide the question In their dilemma Sir Julian
p,uncef3te Great Britaln's Amba ssador. was con-
suited What was OF special value under the cir
cumstances was Sir Juan's intimate knowledge OF
the PROCEEDINGS Of the Paris conference, which Sec
re,arv Gresham lacked. This special knowledge Sir
Iullan used 10 greatest advantage for his side OF
the case He was confident that the findings Of
the Paris Tribunal were not conclusive. To his
mind the findings were not mandatory upon this
country and England nor could they be mnde op-
cratve unless some further proceedings In the nat
ure OF a treaty or agreement were had.
FOR TREATY WITH ENGLAND
After some discussion this view OF the case was
assented to by Secretary Gresham. Sir Julian. hav-
ing in view very naturally and very properly the
interests OF the Canadians VINO engage In capturing
seals next suggested that treaty between the
United States and England would most satisfactorily
meet the conditions. lie advised. therefore. that
treaty should he entered into at once It should de-
fine in a few words. Sir julian said the respective
rights OF the interested countries under the pro-
visions OF the award. 1t was also 70 embrace the
regulations under which both countries were 10 pre-
vent or suppress pelagc sealing at the times ana
under the conditions specified IN the award. SIR
Julians proposition met with the approval OF Sec
rotary Gresham and later ~ President Cleveland.
Accordingly. the work OF framing the treaty was
begun at the State Department. II went on to the
stage Of practical completion. when the happy acct
dent referred occurred - prevent the first for
nal steps being taken looking to It's execution This
acciicn; was the timely visit ~ a weil-informei and
determined person to the State Department. who.
while I'm the pursuit Of other business connected
with that Department. according 10 the story called
upon Secretary Gresham about the time that th-
treaty was In shape FOR transmission 20 Mr. Bayari
at London.
There IL some doubt az - the identity % Sec
rotary Gresham's caller. AM this is the only open
question connected with the story. 1t IS certain
however.
iatves 81 this coun'ry before the Paris tribunal
one report has fl thar the visitor Justice Iiar
Ian and another says that Il was Senator Nor
gan Information on the subject Obiainfi to-day
indicated that Senator Morgan was the person Dur
Ing the visit Secretary Gresham. having m" bchr'nf
Sea case before him. naturally brought % up fof
discussion. lie told hts visitor what had been done
AMI what further steps were % De- taken. he saii
that he The point % flrw.rling hy mail %
Mr. Bayarl the draft - The treaty agreed upon
by himself AMI the English Amblssid'r Mr Bay
ard to b. directed To- lay the dr1fi before lord
Roscbery. with a request Tor favorable AMI SPEEDY
action. When asked why any treaty was necessAry
In view OF the provisions Of the. Paris award. Sec
rotary Gresham replied if1t inter consultation
With Sir Julian faunc"foie he nnd become rn,s
fed that the conditions - the award demanded
The draH Of the treaty was then produced. It
carefully read hy ih~ visitor o. the stat" Dr.
pariment After ~ perusal The N4ftor s'iI lhit
as to the rroceedings OK tho Paris tribunal tie
learned 70 his great suriufe mat ne hts ot l"r
those proceedings to say nothing % fuil report
thereof CONTINUING the disensSl9n 'eSietAry
sions OF the tribunal The qu"st'n arose az 10 the
7oocf ana ES eg 81 q ar@e iha the
award could at best De bui advisory. Hnd that be
ton by the countries Interested IN The results q
the deliberations must be hnd. Iie tcti ts'"'alN,s
should not only be conclusive TO The facts. tpt
that should be mandatory N Irrscr6ing %nnt ,e
Of fur seals nhhbting Herring sea. jus lice IIar-
Inn Inn 9 G Sfna eo mys sd That II such was not %
b. the understanding II YOU'D De ncu,IL " ,, 1r
the contention Of the representsily o. ne nI'a
saiI seSrn,ary Greshaf1s visitor ihtre is neither
propriey nor necessity FOR treaty Eng,and inny
through lis terms but This couAirys clear duty
and advantaee lie In adhcrne strictly to the pro-
visions laid down In the award
MIR GREsIIAM's EYES OPENED.
hon
During the argument Secretary Gresham's eyes
wore opened TO many facts OF which he had APP
parentlv no knowledge. lie was told that the
award made It obligatory upon the United states
and England 20 forbid their citizens or SUBJECTS
respectively KIN capture or pursue fur Scas III
certain waters OF the Pacific. within specihed
time except In the manner and under IN" conhl-
lions therein stipulated. This. II was fali was
the essential feature OF the award when mus Mos
he LOST sight Of 80 treaty could make the terms
Of the award clearer more binding. a treaty or
any form OF agreement might be a9Nlsap,g W. rH
regulations looking 70 the manner OF caIiyS Uns
tho terms Of award. but II entered mo l's PIo
visions should be restricted 10 tnat onJccr' ,He,
tary Gresham was told with much Vig0r that IL
a treaty negotiated with England which. now
g, w. rnrnd, 81 thet country and the Injury Of
this Il would meet with certain defcnt IN inc SEN
hoGv Would PROBABLY vote against any treaty
the subject which the Admnls'raton might nego-
tiate I'm view OF all the conditions.
MIR Gresham was not disposed TO give up his
position as to the mPor S OF odG1na agree
ment was required before the award OF the Paris
Tribunal could become binding, and the state De-
partment cOncurred in that View said the Sccre
iary. In regard to the statement that the erb
trators had decided that the awards should be
mandatory Secretary Gresham manifested some
mlsgivngs. His visitor thereupon advised that the
representatives Of this country before the Tribunal
should be invited to the State Department for con,
sultation on the point The suggestion was carried
Ou; and a few days later justice Harlan. Senator
Morgan and Mr.. Carter met In the secreiarys Of
flee 4 long discussion OF the matter ensucd 1t
was made clear however from the records and
other Information In the possession Of both Justce
Harlan and Senator Morgan, that. as had been
stated by Secretary Greshams earlier visitor. the
arblirators had considered the question whether
or not their findings should be advisory obllga-
tory and that their decision on the point had been
favornb,e TO the contention OF the representatives.
OF the Tnitel Statss sun tine Secretary adhered