The herald., 1896-03-07
IN COMMITTEE
Mlnoslty Report on Extermlnatin1 the Seals
rllnor natters

Minority Report on Exterminatinx the Seals
rlincr 1atters
WASHINGTON, March 6.-Senator Nor
gan, who led the opposition in the commit
tee on foreign relations to the Dingley bill
for the determination of the fur seals o.
Alaska in case of the refusal OF England
Japan and Russia to agree to arbitrate fol
their better protection, has completed 9
minority report. He takes strong ground
against the bill both on the score Of hu
msnity and international rights. He says
the seals find in the ocean their worst en-
omy, the pelagic sealer.
Referring to the fact that even in case
other countries concerned refuse to enter
into the proposed convention. the executive
depArtment acting through it's agents can
he argues, use its discretion in killing the
SEALS The opinion is expressed that the
other governments will accept the bill as a
banter and insincere threat and will refuse
to negotiate with us. He thinks it improb-
!. able that Russia and Japan would unite
in the cruel policy OF destruction unless
they should do SO for the mer-
cenary purpose of enhancing the
value of their own herds, which
ne does not believe these governments are
capable of. No good results, Mr.. Morgan
asserts, can come from the adoption of the
policy proposed. He says it 10 hazardous
and unwise act for congress to anticipate
the executive in any matter that can be
settled by treaty, and states that it is tin-
derstood that this government is now en-
Raged in diplomatic correspondence on
this subject with prospect of success.
This undertaking would be most likely in
terrupted by the passage of the pending
bill. Mr.. Morgan says the United States
are bound by the Paris treaty as it is in
force, and that the treaty cannot be disre-
garded while in force without responsible
ity on our part TO the government Of Great
Britain. II the treaty is not satisfactory
to the United States the remedy 10 in abro-
cation and not by violation. Between two
such powers there 10 no Judge which can
hold either to its duty. They are necessa-
rily left to the arbitrament of the sword as
TO the ultimate ratio regum.
'If that award did bind the two govern
ments to execute the regulations 90 as to
protect and preserve the seals," Senator
Morgan concludes, ''it had no possible ef-
feet. If it left either free to inflict whole
sale and intended extermInation upon the
seals, the treaty and tho award were both
illusory. If the responsibility for the rapid
destruction is with Great Britain, as the
bill assumes, a complaint should be ad-
dressed to that government, and il the
fault is with the Paris tribunal, we ought
first to denounce it and free ourselves from
the obligations it enjoins. Instead of tina,
the president has sent 70 the senate the con
vention, recently negotiated with Great
Britain, which af1rms the award and the
treaty under which it was rendered and |.
now before the senate for action. The pas
sage of this bill would virtually dispense
with that convention"
ARIZONA LANDS
The senate committee on public lands
practically decided today to report back
the Arizona school land bill. recently
vetoed by the president, with recommen.
dation that it be passed over the veto.
Delegate Murphy of Arizona addressed the
committee in favor of the bill. The re.
port would have been ordered today but
for the fact that the committee desired to
secure certain information from the in
terror department before finally passing
upon the bill.