News comes that the month of reflection given to the Manchester cotton-workers, before the reduction of wages was to go into effect, has borne good fruit.
Instead of going on strike and causing distress to themselves and disaster to the masters, the workmen have decided to submit the matter to arbitration.
If it is proved to their satisfaction that the masters are really paying higher wages than the state of the business permits, they will submit to the reduction.
They want to be assured that the masters are telling them the truth, and for this no one can blame them. Five per cent. of their earnings is too much to be given up unless it is absolutely necessary.
This settlement is another triumph for arbitration.
The treaty entered into by the Russian, Japanese, and United States sealing commissioners has been signed.
The treaty prohibits deep-sea sealing in waters controlled by them.
The treaty does not apply (so far as Great Britain is concerned) to the Bering Sea. By the treaty of Paris this sea was declared to be an open sea, free to all at a certain distance from the coast; therefore Great Britain can indulge in deep-sea sealing in those waters if she pleases.
It is hoped, however, that England's love of justice will convince her that there must be some truth in the statement about the decrease of the seal herd, and not wishing to be the only country engaged in improper sealing, she will eventually add her signature to the treaty.