Rock Island Argus., 1896-02-13
OMISSION NOTED
In the Treaty to Settle Claims oi
British Sealers.
NO PROVISION FOR OUR DAMAGES.

senate Foreign Affairs Committee Wants
Americans for Seizures by the British
House Committee Continues in Favor
Of Recognizing the Belligerency Of the
Cuban Rebels-washington Notes.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 13-Thc convention
between the government of the United
States and that Of Great Britain for the
arbitration of the claims for dam
ages made on account of the Bering sea
scaling vessel seizures has been received
by the senate in executive session and con-
sidered by the committee on foreign rela-
tions. The treaty is brief document,
signed by Secretary Olney on the part Of
the United States and by Sir Julian
Pauncefote for Great Britain. 1t pro-
vides for the reference Of claims TO two
commissioners, one to be appointed by the
United States and the other by Great
Britain. who in case of failure to agree
are to be authorized to select third COM
missioner. If not able to agree upon o
man for this Office the matter Is to be re-
ferred to the president of the Swiss repub-
lie with the request that he name the
third man, which he has consented to do.
Want to- Dig Up an Offset.
The agreement is made in conformity
with the Paris arbitration and its findings
are made obligatory upon both govern
ments. AS submitted the treaty only pro-
vides for the payment of damages by the
United States for vessels engaged in seal
catching belonging to citizens Of Great
Britain. but 4 disposition has already
manifested itself in committee to amend
it SO as to provide also for the arbitration
of claims which may arise on the part OF
citizens of the United States for seizures
of American vessels made by Great Brit
ain, and the probabilities e'that such an
amendment will be made in committee.
The committee adjourned without taking
action, but the indications are that with
the change making the findings of the
commission mutual as between the two
countries the committee will recommend
the ratification Of the treaty.
Question of Cuban Recognition.
The most important portions Of tho
Cuban correspondence have been printed
and will receive preliminary consideration
at the regular meeting of the foreign af-
fairs committee of the house today. The
~
members of the committee is in favor os 4
resolution declaring it to be the sense of
the house that a state OF war exists in
Cuba, and requesting the president to is
sue his proclamation according the insur-
gents bclligercnt rights. Sulzer Of New
York, who has given the Cuban situation
much attention, says that congress can
not grant belligerent rights, or at least
that it has been the universal practice of
the executive to issue proclamations recog-
nizing a state Of war and according revo-
lutionists the rights Of belligercnts. This
was done in the case of Columbia, Vcnc-
zuela and Argentine.
State OF wer Exists in Cuba.
''The granting Of belligerent rights"
said he, only recognizes the existence Of
n state of war and a state of war exists as
soon as an uprising gets beyond the con-
troll of the authorities. Such an uprising
certainly reaches the dignity of war when
its participants are able to maintain
armed forces in the field and the author
tiles are unable to restore order and pro-
tect property. The correspondence shows
beyond question in an official way that
Spain, after struggle of almost year.
has been unable to do either. The rec
ognition of the Independence of the
Cubans could not come until they had
created a government and had indicated
their ability to maintain it in the discharge
Of the functions of the government"