The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1895-03-23
THE NICARAGUA ATTIR
Great Britain's Claim for Indem-
nifty Just One.
UNCLE SAM WILL NOT INTERFERE.

Arranging for the Framing ofa New treaty
Nth Great Britain Concerning Behring
Sea seizures-Necessityf for Action to Pro-
tect the Seals from determination.
WASHINGTON, March 2S.-The cabinet
meeting yesterday lasted but two hours,
everybody being present except Secretary
Carlisle who was in New York. The ses-
sion is said to have been uneventful, thus
disappointing the expectations of those
who looked for some decided aggressive
action in foreign affairs. 1t is also said
that there was an entire absence of fric-
tion among the members although the
principal subjects under discussion, relat
ing to the various complications into
which we have become involved with Ger
tain foreign countries, were well calcu-
lated to exhibit divergence of individual
views.
1t Is presumed that the attitude of Great
Britain towards Venezuela and Nicaragua
was canvassed but as far as can be gath
cred the secretary of state has no new mat
ter touching this to impart, and it was not
believed to be necessary to take any posi-
tive action in the absence of an explicit
statement of the purposes of Great Britain.
As far as the Nicaraguan matter is con-
oerned it is not believed that our govern
ment is disposed to take issue with Great
Britain as to her right to demand an in
demnity for the unjust treatment of her
consular agent and citizens, inasmuch as
the United States has already and repeat
edly gone on record as insisting on it's right
in such cases to secure reparation for i'm
proper treatment of its citizens.
Tho 1v ,'1rvl,f oh ,o
a question is as to the method of collect.
ing the indemnity, but there is reason to
believe that in the view of the cabinet the
subject need cause no real trouble, as
Nicaragua doubtless will agree to meet
reasonable demands from Great Britain
when it is made clear to her by our de-
partment Of state that she cannot other
wise rely upon the moral support of the
United States, which might otherwise be
disposed to use it's good offices to secure
an abatement Of the amount of the in
demnity if the principle of an indemnity
is conceded.
In view of the more weighty matters
now engaging the attention of the ad-
ministration it is stated that foreign min
listers in Washington are likely to be, at
least for the present, left undisturbed in
their relations with our government. No
answer beyond purely prefunctory one
acknowledging the receipt of our COM
munication and promising to make in
vestigation, has been returned to Spain to
our demand in the Alliance affair, and
while under ordinary conditions this might
be resented by our government dis
position was shown by the cabinet to make
all due allowance for the fact that, as a
result of the overturning of the Spanish
cabinet, the subordinates there dare not
do anything to compromise the incoming
cabinet.
Preliminaries are being arranged for the
framing of a new treaty between the
United States and Great Britain concern
ing Behring sea seizures. The negotiations
will be carried on in Washington. Sir
Charles Upper, minister of marine and
fisheries for Canada, and other leading
statesmen of the dominion, including
probably Minister Foster, will come here
to cooperate with Sir Julian Pauncefote,
the British ambassador, concerning the
terms of the treaty. The question of fix
ing the date for the meeting is now under
consideration.
The projected treaty is rendered neces-
sary by the inaction of congress on the
Behring sea seizures claims The original
claims, which, with interest," amounted to
$3.50, ,0OO were scaled down to S425 900.
President reland advised payment in
his mess 20 congress, but an amend
ment to C.. out the presidents recon-
mendation was defeated. 1t was then
sought to provide for an international
commission to adjust the terms of settle
ment, but this also failed, leaving the
matter still open. The purpose of the
| treaty will be, therefore, to create a COM
| mission to hear all the evidence and deter
mine the amount of indemnity to be paid
the seized sealers. After being signed the
treaty will have to be submitted to the
senate for ratification, and unless there is
an extra session this cannot be accom-
plished before next December.
While it is felt that this is an unfortu-
nate delay in adjusting the claims, yet 1t
appears to be the only means of advano-
ing them to an honorable settlement con-
sistent with the kindly relations existing
between the United States and Great
| Britain.
Another phase of the sealeries question
which may come up simultaneously with
the adjustment of the claims is the fran
ing of new modus vivendi or other
means of protecting the seal herds in
Behring sea Experts appear to agree
that the seals will be exterminated soon
unless energetic steps are taken, as the
protection afforded by the regulations
agreed on by the Paris court of arbitration