The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-01-13
IirHE FUR SEAL FISHING FIGHT.
Auorusy- General for Canada Brings
Before the supreme Court.

WAsHINGTON. y. g.. Jan. l2.-lhe Behr
ing sea fur seal fishery question was this al-
ternoon suddenly and Unexpectedly brought
before the SUPREME Court o. The United
States, when Sir John Thompson, Attorney
General lor Canada through Mr.. Calderson
Carlisle. the American counsel Of the British
Legation. and Mr. Joseph ChOate, associate
counsel. made "a motion i'm the court for n
writ al prohibition commanding the United
states District Court at Sitka 90 annul the
proceedings by which the schooner W. =.
Saw ard was libellcd in 1881. This move on
the part ot tle Canadian officials. 10 was
stated. was made in behalf Of Canada. by
Sir John Thompson with the iuli knOWl-
ed1e ana consent OF The British Govern
meut. the purpose evidently being % APP
peal from The State D. Department 20 the -Su-
premc Court 90 settle once for all the dis
pute. This move on the part Of the British
Government seems not 10 have been ex-
necfpd. and the Attorney General was TAX
en Ay surprise when the motion was made
by Mr.. Choate.
TIE court ordered that two weeks time be
granted 10 the Attorney General 10 make 4
showing in opposition 70 the motion. The
British Government. il is believed, has had
this matter in contemplation for some time.
probably since last spring. when u was an
nOuuccd that the negotiations between the
United states and England on the Behrine
sea matter were ended.
The schooner. W. l.. Sayward. Of Victoria.
B. o., was captured by the revenue cutter
Rush. Captain shepard, for killing seal in
Behring sea. When the capture was made the
schooner was on Behring sea ilitV-niDe miles
from any land, and there were AZ seal skins
ON board. The schooner was taken 10 como
laska by the Rush, and from there 90 Sitka.
where She was Hhclcd boy the lnitod States
District Court for taking seal within the
jurisdiction Of the United States, in viola.
tion Of section 1880 of The Revised Statutes.
An appeal was taken aud the case was
brought 10 the supreme Court. aud on mo-
tion of petitioners this was today dismissed.
which motion was Immediately followed
with n rc quest to file suggestions with the
Court for the writ of prohibition 10 an
nal the action of the District Court OF
Alaska.
Secretary Blaine, when asked this evening
about this movement on the part OF tht
Canadian Governments counsel, said:
This IL something that has been threatened
for some time, and of which ! have been
quite aware. 10 is therefore no
surprise 10 me, as bad antici-
pated il. | have nothing whatever TO
say ca the SUBJECT now. ! snail probably
aaNe something 70 say Officially Liter, and
80 do not think it best 20 talk for publica-
ton ht this time. lCu may say. however.
that the Department is not taken un-
4Varo-.' When asked whether or not thi-
case having been brought mp i'm the SUI
preme Court would result in trans
foriug the controversy from the state
Department to the supreme Court, the
secretary said: "l would prefer TO remain
quiet ou that subject just now. There vii
be something officially 10 say later on.
can say that Ibis is mo- coup on the part of
the British Government IA the least. Good
morning"