New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-09-19
THE BEHRING SEA FISHERY.
CIR JULIAN PAUNCEFoTE's NOTE ON AL
LEGGED VIOLATIONS OF MoDUS vIvENDI.
ais PROTEST BASED on TECHNICAL GROUNDS
WERE THE 1900 SKINS TO BE TAKEN AFTER
THE SIGNING OF THE MoDUs. OR


WERE THE 1900 SKINS TO BE TAKEN AFTER
THE SIGNING OF THE MoDUs. OR
DURING THE WHOLE SEASON.
washington Sept ls.-Sir Julian Pauncefote, the
british Minister has called the attention Of the De
partment of state to alleged violations Of the modus
yiyend respecting the maximum number OF seals to
be taken in Behrng Sea. The officials Of the Depart
ment Of state decline positively to make any state
ment respecting the alleged breach Of the agreement or
even to admit that any protest had been flied. The
British Minister and his secretaries are absent from
Washington, and no information could be obtained IN
that quarter But there is the best Of reasons for the
belief that the matter at issue is not OF a serious
nature or one that threatens to disturb the progress Of
the negotiations looking to arbitration, although its
nterposon at this stage may result in further delay
ing the settlement Of a question that the President
much desires TO bring speedily TO conclusion
Undoubtedly Sir Julian Pauncefote's note was based
upon representations made to him by Sir George Baden
Powell and Mr. Dawson, the British agents who were
sent to Behrng Sea TO watch the seal fisheries in
the interest of their Government. They fourd
that certain number Of skins had been
taken up to the date Of their report in excess
OF the 1900 mentioned in the modus vivendi as the
maximum number that might be taken, and there Is
reason 10 believe that the report Of Special Treasury
Agent Williams will confirm their statements. Bus
an inspection of the terms of the modus vvend makes
it appear that the protest based upon technical
grounds and that there is fair for the contention
that there has been no violation Of It's provisions,
which is insisted upon by the Treasury officials,
BY the first clause Of the agreement, Her Majesty's
Government prohibits seal killing in Behnng Sea until
MAY of next year. BY the second clause the United
States Government agrees to do the at and
on the seal islands, ain excess Of 1900 TO be taken
on the islands for the subsistence ana care OF the
natives Up to the close of this season the North
American Commercial Company had taken 1900 seal
skins, and it is this fact that has come 10 the Know
edge Of the British Government.
1t is understood, however that all the seals taken
ran he accounted for without any serious infaction
Of the modus vvendi In the first place, the Com
mercal Company's officials say that of the apparent
excess of skins shipped-4.5oo TO 55oo-probaby three
fourths were those OF seals taken for living purposes
last wear: and this year, the agreement expressly
authorizing the Killing of seal beyond the $500 limit
FIR the support OF the natives the islands The
other 900 or more seals. II is asserted were taken
nv the Commercial CompNny's employees before the
news of the adoption Of the modus vivendi reached
The sealing waters. II Will be remembered that the
Companys ship sailed for Alaska in June, before the
agreement was reached and before the arrival OF
the next steamer and the official proclamation of
closed season, 800 more seals had already been
killed. These not counted, 1t is said in the
catch TO be allowed under the modus vivend either by
the company or the Treasury agents. From the time
the Government officials arrived at the cOalng station
the catch supervised strictly ana limited 10 tne
legal number, 1900.
The Staff Department transmitted the contents of
Sir Julian Pauncefote's letter to the Treasury De-
partment and Secretary Foster at once set TO work
10 investigate the supposed violation of the agreement
for which, Of course the Treasury agents in Alaska
would be held responsible. Special Agent Williams
who sent TO Alaska 10 oversee the Commercial
Companys operations. called on for report and
IT is understood that his report contained substantially
the explanation of the apparent excess in the catch
which given above. The report was turned over
10 the State Department and 1t will probably now
10 the British Minister to whose charges IL makes
sufficient
Secretary Foster does not regard the incident of
IN any way the sealing agreement reached salts
factorily by the two Governments last June.
Chicago, Sept. 16-A dispatch from Washington
says: Commissioners Mendenhal and McIan, who
sent TO Behring Sea TO examine and report con-
corning the condition of the seals and fisheries there
during their call President Harrison yesterday, |
declared that stop must be put to the practice Of
killing seals IN the open for several years. if it is
desired to perpetuate this species Of fur-beariDg |
animals. Incidentally, the Commissioners referred to
the fact that they had accompanied Special Treasury
Agent Williams and his assistants their Journeys
OF exploration, and found that their views were |
identical regarding the future to be pursued
In perpetrating tho seals Of the Pribyof Islands.