The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-01-30
PLAN OF A COMMISSION TO SET
TIE THE CANADIAN BEHRING
ST. CLAIM.
NGLAND'S Final ACCPTAN CE OF It
Submitted to Secretary Olney by Am
bassador Pauncefote-The Naval
Inquiry by Senate Committee on
Naval Affairs
THE BEHRING SEA CLAIMS.

Washington, Jan. 25.-Secretary Olney
was called OH today by Julian Paunce
fote, the British ambassador, who sub
mitted the final acceptance of the British
government of the plan of Il Behring sea
commission to pass upon the claims of
Canadian sealers seized prior to the
Paris award
1t remains only for the president to
submit the plans to congress, and as the
legislative branch has refused to pay Il
lump sum for the seizures, it is consid-
cred certain that the commission ar
.rangement will be approved.
1t is quite likely that the president, in
submitting the plan to congress, may sug-
gest once more the desirability of a
lump payment as the most expeditions
means of settlement, for the commission
of arbitration, if agreed to, will bind the
United States to annual payment awards,
which may far exceed the lump sum pro-
posed. The commission is to be COM
posed of one American commissioner,
one British commissioner, an umpire to
be chosen by the two. The personnel of
but there is belief that the president of
Switzerland will be asked to act as UNI
pire, or some one designated by the
Swiss president, if the sessions of the
commission necessitate the presence of
the umpire in this country.
In view of the pending request of the
Venezuelan commission to the British
government, Sir Julian Pauncefotes call
at the state department on the Behring
sea matter led to some comment as to
Great Britain's probable answer to the
letter of Justice Brewer, transmitted
through Secretary Olney, but it is I'M
derstoOd that the ambassador had 40 i'll
formation to impart on this subject, and
the British foreign Office has given no
intimation as yet as to its purpose. 1t
said, however, there will be 10 action on
the letter within month or more, as the
request will go through the usual slow
channels of diplomacy. The answer OF
Venezuela is expected to be delayed until
about February IA, as the mail trans
mission of the request and answer will
take until then.
Washington, Jan. 25.-The eleventh
annual celebration of the Gridiron club,
the unique organization of Washington
newspaper correspondents, was held at
the Arlington hotel tonight. Nearly 200
guests were present, including the most
prominent men in political and social life
in Washington and several from other
cities. The decorations surpassed all
Others in the history of the organization.
The banquet hall was vast bower of
roses, lilies, smilaX and floral leaves and
an array of electric lights sparkled among
them on the prongs on the immense grid
iron shape.
All the guests joined in the introduc-
tory songs, and when, at the conclusion,
President William Cannon, of the Salt
Lake Tribune raped his gavel, states
men, journalists and other guests of
note We'd with each other in making
witty speeches.
Prominent among the guests were Vice
President Stevenson, Speaker Reed, ex-
Speaker Crisp, Justice Brown of the
supreme court, Secretary Hoke Smith,
Attorney General Harmon, Secretary
of Agriculture Morton, Chauncey NJ.
Depew of New York, Charles Emory
Smith of the Philadelphia Press, H. H.
Kohlsaat of the Chicago Times-Herald,
General Felix Angus of the Baltimore
American, United States Senators Wilson
of Washington, Thurston of Nebraska,
ShOup of Idaho, Pettigrew of South Da-
kOta, Smith of New Jersey, Hill of New
York and German of Maryland; Con-
gressmen Taft of Ohio, Heatwole of Min
nesota, Mccall of Massachusetts, Sayers
of Texas, Stone of Pennsylvania, Rob
inson of Pennsylvania; Hon. Joseph
Manley, Comptroller Eckels, Commits
soner of Pensions Lochren and United
States Senator Morgan.
At Worlds fair DR. Prices Baking