Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-14

season Of 1895. when 1t was urged that
American vessels frequenting Boring sea
were required to have their arms sealed,
and on returning to their home ports their
skins were carefully inspected. while her
majestys government refused to enforce
the provision as to arms. and declines the
inspection Of skins, measures which this
government regards as absolutely essen
ton Of the sesls Ne Neversheess another
season has been entered upon without any
settlement of this vexed question.
Responsibility ON England.
The obligations of an international
award. which are equally imposed on both
parties to its terms, cannot properly be
assumed or laid aside by one Of the parties
only at its pleasure. Such an award
which in its practical operation is binding
only on one party in its obligations and
burdens, and to be enjoyed mainly by the
other party In It's benefits. is an award
which, in the interest of public morality
and good conscience, should not be main
tanned. Having in view the expressed OBJ
ject of the arbitration at Paris. and the
scribing the regulations when it became
apparent, as it did after the first years
operation of them, and with increased en-
phasis each succeeding year that the regu-
lations were Inadequate for the purpose.
1t was the plain duty of the British gov
eminent to acquiesce in the request OF that
OF the United States for conference TO
determine what further measures were
necessary to secure the end had In view by
the arbitration.
A course SO persistently followed for
the past three years has practically &C
con plished the commercial determination
of the fur SEALS and brought to naught
the patient labors and well-meant conclu-
Ion, TIrSnr
Great Britain must therefore rest. in the
public conscience Of mankind. the respon-
sibility for the embarrassment in the rela-
lions of the two nations which must result
from such conduct One of the evil re-
suits is already indicated in the growing
conviction of our people that the refusal
OF the British government to carry out
the recommendation of that tribunal will
needlessly sacrifice an important interest
of the United States. This is shown by
the proposition seriously made in Congress
to abandon negotiations and destroy the
seals on the islands as the speedy end to
a dangerous controversy, although such a
measure has not been entertained by this
department. We have felt assured that, as
1t has been demonstrated that the practice
OF pelagic sealing, II continued, will not
only brig itself to end, but will work
the destruction of great interest of a
friendly nation. her majesty's government
would desist from an act so suicidal and
so Gnneighborly, and which certainly
could not command The approval of its
own people.
The President therefore cherishes the
nope that even at this late day the Brit
i .s government may get yield TO his con-
tlhued desire. SO often expressed, for
conference Of the Interested powers, and
IN delivering to Lord Salisbury a copy of
TINS Instruction you will state to him that
me PRESIDENT will hail with great salts
faction any indication on the part of her
lhaIestys government of a disposition to
agree upon such a conference. Respectfully
souis' JOHN SHERMAN