The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1891-06-20
Behring Sea Shut.

WASHINGTON, June 10.
President Harrison today issued the following
proclamation in regard to the BehriDg Sea seal FISH
cries:
WHEREAS, An agreement for modus vivendi be-
tween the Government of the United States and the
Government of her Britannia Majesty in relation to
the fur seal fisheries in Behring Sea was concluded
on the 18th day of June in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and ninety-one, word tor
word as follows:
Agreement between the Government OF the U ;.
and the Government of Her Britannia Majesty
for modus vvendi in relation to the tur ana
seal fisheries in Behrfng sea
For the purpose of avoiding irritating differences
and with "a view to promote the friendly settlement
OF the questions pending between the two govern
ments touching their respective rights in Behring
Sea and for the preservation of the seal Species the
following agreement is made without prejudice to
the rights or claims of either party
l. Her Majesty Government will prohibit until
May next seal killing in that part of Behring Sea
lying eastward of the line of demarcaton described
in Article No. of the treaty of 1867 between the
United States and Russia, and will promptly use its
best efforts to insure the observance of this prohib-
ton by British subjects and vessels.
2 The United States Government will prohibit
seal killing for the period in the same part Of
Behring Sea and on the shores and islands thereof
the property the United States lin excess of 1900
to be taken on the islands for the subsistency and
care Of the natves) and will promptly its best
efforts to insure the observance of this prohibition
by the United States citizens and vessels.
>. Every vessel or person offending against this
prohibition in the said waters of Behrng Sea
outside of the ordinary territorial limits of the
United States may be seized and detained by the
naval or duly commissioned officers of either of the
buf shall be handed
over as soon as practicable to the authorities of the
nation to which they respectively belong, who
shall alone have jurisdiction to try the oense and
impose the penalties for the same. The witnesses
and proofs necessary establish the ofense shall
also be sent with them.
4. In order 10 facilitate such proper inquiries as
Her Majestys Government may desire to make,
with view to the presentation of the case OF that
government before arbitrators and in expectation
that an agreement for arbitration may be arrived
at it is agreed that suitable persons designated by
Great Britain will be permitted at any time, upon
application, 10 visit or to remain upon the seal
islands during the present sealing season for that
purpose.
Signed and sealed in duplicate at Washington
this 18th day of June, 1891 oil behalf of their re-
speetye governments, by William F. Wharton,
Acting Secretary of State of the United States and
NJ, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipoten-
tiary, - -,
WILLIAM +. WHARTON. Seal
JULIAN PAUNcEFoTE lseal.l
Now, therefore, be it known, That l, Benjamin
Harrison President of the United States of America,
have caused the said agreement to be made public
TO the end that the same and every part theTeofmay
be observed and fulfilled with good faith by the
United States of America and the citizens thereof.
In witness whereof have hereunto set my hand
and caused the seal of the United States to be
Affixed
Done at the City of Washington, this fifteenth
day of June, in the year Of our Lord one thousand
| eight hundred and ninety-one, and OF the indie
pendence of the United States the one hundred and
| fifteenth.
[Seal.l BENZ. HARRISON.
| By the President:
WILLIAM F. WHARTON,
Acting Secretary of State.