San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1896-03-06
DESTRUCTION OF SEALS.
WILL NOT SETTLE THE QUESTION,
SAYS MORGAN.
Our Government Should Protest to Britain
or Abrogate the Paris Treaty.

WASHINGTON, March 6.-Sena.
tor Morgan who had the opposition
in the committee on foreign rela.
tions on the Dingley bill for the
determination Of the fur seals oil
Alaska, in case of the refusal OF
England, Japan and Russia to
agree to arbitration for their better
protection, has completed a mi
nority report. He takes strong
ground against the bill, both on
the score of humanity and inter.
national rights. He says the seals
find in the ocean their worst enemy
in the pelgaic sealer. The work is
described by the senator, as "out-
lawed by the universal sense of
humanity" and he criticises the
bill as an effort to foil them by
placing destruction in the hands
of the agents Of the governments.
Referring to the fact that even in
case the other countries concerned,
refused to enter into proposed
convention, the executive depart
ment, acting through its agent,
can, he argues, use its discretion
in taking 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 improbable
that Russia and Japan will unite
in the cruel work of destruction
unless they should do 30 for the
mercenary purpose of enhancing
the value Of their own herds,
which he does not believe these
governments are capable Of.
No good results, Mr.. Morgan
asserts, can come from the adopt
ion of the policy proposed. He
says it Is hazardous and Inwise
act for congress to anticipate the
executive in any matter that can
be settled by treaty, and states
that it is understood that this gov
eminent is now engaged in diplo.
matte correspondence on this sub
ject with prospect OF success.
This undertaking would be most
likely interrupted by the passage
of the pending bill. Mr.. Morgan
says the United States are bound
by the Paris treaty as long as it is
in force and that the treaty cannot
be disregarded while in force with
out responsibility on our part to
the government OF Great Britain.
II the treaty is not satisfactory to
the United States the remedy is
by abrogstion and not its viola
ton.
Between two such powers, there
is no judge who can hold either to
its duty; they are necessarily left
| to the arbitratement OF the award
as the ultima ratio regum.
"If that award did bind the two
| governments to execute the regula.
lions so as to protect and preserve
the seals, it had" Senator Morgan
concludes, "no possible effect. III
it left either free to infiict whole
sale and intended determination
upon the seals the treaty and the
award were both illusory. If the
responsibility for the rapid de.
struction of the seals rests with
Great Britain, as the bill
assumes" the senator says "a
complaint should be addressed to
that government and II the fault
in the award is the Paris tribu-
NAILS we ought to denounce 1t and
free ourselves Of the obligations II
entails. Instead OF that, the presi-
dent has sent to the senate con-
vention, recently negotiated with
Great Britain, which af1irms the
reward and the treaty under which
it was made and is now before the
senate for discussion. The passage
OF this bill would virtually dis
pense with that convention"