The herald., 1895-12-10
IN CONGRESSIONAL HALLS
Senator Morgan Reviews the
Bering Sea Award
THE SHORT HOUSE SESSION
Is Chiefly Devoted to the Discussion
of Appointments
In the Absence Of Financial Legislation, -
Issue of Bonds is Said to b
Unavoidable
THE SHORT HOUSE SESSION
Associated Press Special Wire.

Associated Press Special Wire.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 9.--The feature II
the senate session today was speech by
Senator Morgan of Alabama, chairman Of
the committee on foreign relations, MEM
Der of the Paris Bering sea tribunal, upon
resolution offered by him last week, iu-
structing the foreign relations commit tee
to investigate the question of liability OF
the United States for the seizures of British
ships in Bering sea in 1890. Mr.. Morgan
took the position in tho last congress that
the settlement of these claims by the pay
ment of lump sum of $425 600, as re-
commended by the president, was not wise
nor proper. His remarks ON that occasion
were the subject of some sarcastic COM
ment from the British ambassador here in
the latter's official correspondence with
Lord Kimberly. That correspondence was
printed recently from the British blue
book, and most of Mr.. Morgan's speech to-
day was devoted to paying his respects to
Sir Julian Pauncefote.
He SAID he felt it incumbent upon him.
self to reply to certain published comments
upon his course in the senate by the Brit
ish premier and the British ambassador.
He declared that the Paris tribunal did not
attempt to determine the question of the
liability of the United States for seizures
or the amount of such liability. Great
Britain contended, however, that the lia-
bility was decided as a necessary infer
ence, and President Cleveland. proceed
ing on that assumption. had, through the
state department. agreed to pay 1925 900
in discharge of this alleged liability of the
United States. But that agreement could
not be carried out without the ratification
of congress.
The findings of the tribunal rested en-.
tirely upon the treaty-making power of
the two governments, and the United
| States and Great Britain were bound to
carry out the regulations decided on for
the protection of the seals as much as if
the regulations had been incorporated in q
treaty. But neither government was
bound further. At most the award OF the
arbitrators would only furnish a remote
argument for the claim of Great Britain
for damages for seizures,
He would be loyal to the findings of the
tribunal, he said. but Great Britain con-
yeniently sought to overstate them.
Through negotiations the State depart-
ment agreed to pay $425, 900 for damages
and President Cleveland recommended
that sum be appropriated. Congress re-
fused to make the appropriation. At this
point Mr.. Morgan turned his attention to
Sir Julian Pauncefote, the British anlbas-
sador. and his '.doleful plaints'' to Lord
Kimberly. Mr.. Morgan was scornful and
| sarcastic.
"Does he not know" the senator asked,
'stbat no executory agreement is binding
until ratified by congress-"
He quoted from Sir Julian's report to
Lord Kimberly that Republicans and Popu-
lists and forty-four Democrats had voted
against the appropriation, and his COM
ment attributing the action of the house to
the necessity of party eXpediency. Mr..
Morgan declared contemptuo,lsly that it
was going to be the fashion abroad to at
tribute everything that did not please them
to the ''influence of party politics. He
characterized Sir Julian's comments AZ
'unjust" and ''offensive" in the case Of
the house.
''But, not content with these reflections
on the house," said Mr.. Morgan, ''he re-
fers to senators by name in gratuitous
and insulting manner. He does this under
the cover of the British fag.''
After quoting Sir Julian's comment on
his (Mr. .Morgan's) characteristic n of some
of the alleged British claimants as "recxl-
citrant and rascally Americans" he dee
ciared that the British ambassadors
structures were based on the mistakenro.
ton that the British navigation laws shcu d
cover violations of United States statutes.
Crimes against the decalogue could not,