The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-12-16

WASHINGTON, Dec. i5.-The proceed
ings of the senate today were enlivened
by an interesting debate upon the bill pre-
sented by the foreign relations committee
providing for the prohibition of pelagic
sealing by Americans The provisions OF
the measure We're explained by Davis,
chairman of the foreign relations COM
mitiee, who said that L. in aid OF
negotiations pending among the repre-
sentatives of the governments of the
United States. Great Britain, Russia and
Japan.
In calling up the bill Davis presented
letters from Secretaries Sherman, OF the
state department and Gage, OF the treas
ury department. fayoring the immediate
passage Of the proposed measure. Davis
explained that the bill was in aid of fur
thering diplomatic negotiations. After
explaining the law at present bearing on
the fur seal question, Davis pointed out
that there was now no law prohibiting
pelaglc sealing. and that this shameful
admission had to be made by the repre-
sentatives of the United States in the
negotiations with other countries, looking
TO suspension Of such sealing.
Pettisrew of South Dakota entered a
protest 10 the passage OF the bin because
1t deprived Americans of privileges ac-
corded to people of other countries. He
thought Ii was time for the United States
to definitely dispose Of the question by
killing all of the seals as they landed
upon the Pribilof islands He thought
that the United States had suffered
enough humiliation on account of the
seal business. and he believed that the
proposed bill ought to be amended so
that II Great Britain did not. by June
i next, agree 10 suspension of peagic
sealing, this country would Kill all seals,
male and female. and thus settle the
question once for all. Pettigrew then Of
fered an amendment to the bill in line
with his remarks.
Davis protested against the adoption OF
Pettigfew's amendment. He thought that
because Great Britain did not come
promptly to our terms Ii was not a suf-
hcient reason for this country to enter
upon an unexampled butchery of a beau
tfui ard useful animal. He expressed
the opinion that the carrying into effect
OF Pettigrew's proposition would bring
odium upon this country that would stain
Il forever.
Perkins Of California thought the adop-
ton of the amendment would be an evil
deuce OF impotence. He would. be said,
be ashamed to see such a provision upon
our statute books. He believed It the duty
OF congress to pass the bill as presented
by the committee. and he was satisfied the
negotiations pending would soon bring
about an amIcable and satisfactory set
tlement of the seal question
Replying, Pettigrew expressed the opin-
Ion that the adoption of the amendment
would result in the preservation Of the
seal herd He thought IL England would
not enter into mutual agreement for the
preservation of the herd justice demanded
that this country should kill the seals.
thus finally disposng of them He thought
1t would he no more inhuman and less
troublesome to kin the entire l75oo0 than
10 XIII the 30,0o0 allowed.
Spooner OF Wisconsin asked Pettigrew
II he believed that Great Britain. as a self
respecting nation. would enter into any
agreement If this government would meet
II with such threat as that implied in
his Pettigrew' amendment
Replying, Fettigrew said the United
states had been trying for four years to
secure an agreement with England for the
protection of the seals and had failed En-
gland refusing even to enter upon the ne
gotistious.
For one" he continued. 'I am tired os
waiting upon England in this. as In Other
matters 1t * humiliating that We should
ne compelled 10 10 so not only In tho fur
seat. hat N the Cuban and financial oueS-
u"i's, hcSitatlnc "a declare our indeven3-
ence because of Eugland'a possible onno-
sitioa. The only interest England has in
protesting the Spanish interest I'm Cuba is
th0f implled in the fact that Lombard
street holds the Spanish bonds This be-
Ing tHe case, we can do nothing f3r suffer
inC cuba unless Great Britain is willing
80 Il - in financial matters and thus Il
hanpens that W. must send commission
to fawr Al the feet - the hook -uosed Jap.s
% London. Ia ascertain whether they are
willing that We should 10 thus n ~ so in
the matter ~ our own finances - - 80
~,,.,r,, 80. -,
,,oea5 - f,rtbav ,s,r,,n.,,a. -, .,.t.,ta
,7n>n the sal o,,astin, ~, ~.
me bi1 sr,ar,de,g as a.. S,iyoas.s.T r. 80.
seal Industry I'm Ion,fce wnul7 h,, ar>,,s.s
20 bear Influence upon (srest Britain which
might effect a proner settlement - y
question
White ~ California thought the passage
~ sCch a l3w as proposed wouid he un inst
"a ou" own people, unlsss assurances are
given that similar legislation Is 90 be eF-
Acied ~ other coUptr'@s. tanaGa IN l'aT-