Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-07
MORGAN OPPOSES DIFFERENTIATION.
killing of the scn1s would Tie n vio-
Intion of Trehty lstinuIntions.

WASHINGTON. March e.-Senator Morgan.
who led the oppositpa ip the committee on
foreign relations to the-Dingiey bill for the
determination OF the fur seals Of Alaska in
case Of the refusal OF England. Japan and
Russia to agree to provisions for their bet
ter protection. has cbmpieted a minority re-
port. He takes strong ground against the
bill, both on the score of humanity and in
ternational rights. lie says the seals find In
the ocean their worst enemy the pelagic
sealer. The sealers' work Is described by
the senator as "outhwed by the universal
sense Of humanity, aud he critcises the
bill as an effort to foil this enemy by pac-
ing the destruction In the hands Of the
agents Of the government.
Referring to the fact that even In case the
other countries concerted refuse to enter
into the proposed convention. the executive
department. acting through its agents could.
he argues, use its discretion in killing the
eeals. The opinion is expressed that the
other governments will accept the bill as
a banter and insincere threat and will re-
fuse to negotiate with us. He thinks IL i'm
probable that Russia and Japan would unite
in the cruel policy of destruction unless they
should do so for the mercenary purpose Of
enhancing the value of their own herds.
which he does not believe these governments
are capable Of
No good result. Mr.. Morgan asserts, can
come from the adoption OF the policy pro-
posed. He says it is hazardous and un-
wise act for congress TO anticipate the ex-
ecutive in any matter that can be settled
by treaty. and states that II is understood
that this government is now engaged in dip
lomatic correspondence on this subject with
a prospect of success. This undertaking
would be most likely interrupted by the
passage OF the pending bill.
Mr.. Morgan says the United States Is
bound by the Paris treaty as long as II Is
In force and that the treaty cannot be dis
regarded while in force without responsible
fly on our part to the government Of Great
Britain II the treaty Is not satisfactory
to the United States the remedy is by alb
rCgatlon and not its violation. Between two
such powers there is NJ Judge which can
hold either to its duty: they are necessarily
left to the arbitrament Of the sword as ul-
TINA ratio regum.
"If that award did not bind the two gov
ernments to execute the regulations SO as
to protect and preserve the seals y had"
Senator Morgan concludes. mo possible ef-
feet. II II left either free to inflict whole
sale and intended determination upon the
seals the treaty and the award were both
illusory. IL the responsibility for the rapid
destruction of the seals rested with Great
Britain as the bill assumes" said the SEN
atOr "a complaint should be addressed to
that government, and II the fault Is with the
Paris tribunal We ought first to denounce
II and free ourselves from the obligations
it enjoin1. Instead Of that, the president
has sent to the senate convention, recently
negotiated with Great Britain. which afilrms
the award and the treaty under which II
was rendered. and which is now before the
would virtually dispense with that conven-
m