Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-06-16
THE CORRESPONDENCE
On the Seal FiNb a1fs 8 --LettsSs fgcm
osc'y Blaine and Dir Julian.

On the Seal E1Ab aIfs Is s--LsttsSs ffcm
Ssc'y Bsains and 8ir Julian,
WASHINGTON, June Is The department
OF stAio today made public the correspond
'ence on the Behr,ng sea seal fisheries
which has taken place siBce May eS last.
Secretary Biaioe's letter Of May says
that soon after the adjournment Of Con-
gress be submitted to the minister propo,
sition for modus vivendi, pending the re-
suit Of arbitration. This was in substance
that sealing be totally suspended BY both
nations and Subsequently the proposition
WAS mcdifled to allow 1900 seals killed TO
msinsain the natives.
To this proposition Sir Julian Paupcefote
replied with the following proposal: First
prohibit until May. 1892, the killing OF
seals In Behring Sea or any islends thereof,
and will to the best Of her power and ability
ensure that the subjects and citizens of the
two nations respectively and the vessels
flying their respective flags shsll observe
prohibition.
Second--Duripe the period above speci-
fed the United States government shall
have the right to kill 1900 seals.
Third-Consuls may at any time bs Ar-
pointed to the islands in Behring Sea, and
the United States government will grant
''exequster" to any such consuls.
Fourth--unlese the ASSERT Of Russia be
obtained to this convention il shall not coms
into operation.
To this proposal Acting Secretary WhM.
ton replied, June IA:
Fifst-In place Of the first and second
consuls-divisioDs Of the agreement sub.
mitted by you, the president suggests, "The
government Of Great Britain shall prohibit
until May !, 1899, the killing Of seals in all
that part of Bebring sea lying east, east
wsrdly or southeastern ardly Of the line de.
fcribea in srticle Of the convention be-
tween the United States and Russia, March
80, 1861, and the government Of the United
States shall prohibit until May, 1882, the
killing Of seals in that part Of BehriDg sea
above described, and on 4he shores and
islands ,hereof the property Of nited States
Gin excess Of 75G0 t, be taken on islands
Both governments are to promptly take
such steps as are best calculAted efectuAlly
to insure the observance Of this prohibition
by the citizens Of the respective govern
ments and the vessels flying their flsgs.
These changes are suggested in order that
the modus may clearly have the same terri
torial extent with the pending proposals for
arbitration; that the stipulstion for the
prohibition Of seal killing upon the islands
of the United States may rest upon its own
order; and that the obligation Of the
respective governments TO give prompt and
vigorous effect TO the agreement may be
more clearly apparent.
Second--The pertinency Of the sugges-
tion contained in the third sub division Of
Lord Salisbufy's proposal ia not apparent
to the President The statutes Of the United
States explicitly prohibit the landing of
any vessels at Seal Islands or the residence
thereon Of ANY person unless specifically
authorized by the secretary Of the treasury.
1t is obvious that no cor sulor functions
could be discharged upon the islands by
any representative ef her majesty's govern
ment. The President regards this law ~
declaring an exception as 10 the residence
Of consuls within the mesning Of article
Of the convention of commerce and nsvigs-
:iop. December %. 1915. between her
msjesty's government and the Uoiled
Ststes.
IL the proposal 10 intended to relate to the
islands Of st. Paul and st. George and hiss
for It's object access for such agents Of the
government OF her msj s'y ss may be up-
pointed to investigate facts which may be
involved in the pending proposals for arbi-
trstion, or 10 the hearing before the srbi-
traitors. am directed by the President to
say that in the event Of an agreement fpr
arbitration of the questions in dispute be-
tween Great Britain and the Uoited States
be is willing to extend reasonable facilities
to Great Britain for the invesiig ,tioD ct tbs
islands Of any facts involved in the contro
versy.
1hsrd-The fourth clause Of the proposal
Of her msjesty's government limiiiog The
taking effect Of the modus vivendi upon the
assent Of Russis, presents What seems to
the PRECEDENT an insuperab!e difficulty. ss
adherence to that suggestion by hei
msjssty's government will, In his opinion,
prevent the conclusion Of any agreement,
and will inevitably cause ench delay N "a
thwart the purposes which he must suppote
both governments had insview. I an also
directed to remind yeu thst the contention
between the United States and Grea. Britain
has been limited to that psst Of Bebfins
ses eastvard OF the line Of densrcation de
scfibed In cur convention with Russis, apt
that Russia never asserted any rights il
these waters affecting the subj ct matter oil
this contention AID cannot therefore be Z
necessary party to these negotiations II they
are not now improperly expanded.
Under the statutes Of the United SsAtes
the President is sushoriz,d to prohibit seal
ing In Behring sea within the limits de
scribed in our convention vish Russia ami
70 restrict the killing Of seals On the leland
Of the United States, but no authority il
conferred upon him to make pensl the TAX
ing of seals in the waters Of BehsiDg eel
westward Of the line referred TO or upoi
sny shores or islsnds thereof. IL wss neve
supposed by sryone fsp-essasing TIE GOV
efnmsnt OF the United States in tas cor
fespondepce or By the President that th
agreement for modus vivendi coult
be broader than tie subjsct o
contention stated Ia the coYreppon
dence Of tha fespsclivs govern
menfs. The negotiations for arbitrssio,
have been proceeding between the Uniss,
States ard Crest Britain, srd il thss
powers are competent 10 settle by thi
friendly mefb7d their respective rights an
relssiohs In disputed vssers, npon pen
mapent basis, IL vonld sesm 10 follow ths
no question voald arise ~ to their com
psfeocy to dssi directly With the subject o
| . sipgie season.
II Gfest Britain now insists upon ira
possabie conditions, VIZ; that The con
ciusion Of the modas vivsndi il to be d.
| layed until, and made consinsens upon. th
asuent Of Russia 10 stop killing seals On Il
own islands and In iss ovn wat<rs, and upe
the exercise Of the president Of The povsu
mot conferred BY lav, this would be, in hi
opinion, . practical withdrawal BY Grss
Britain from the negotiations for meaiu
vivsndi. In enss the teyns Of mods
| vivendi vers agreed upon the prssb3sl
4 susgests that the proyision tefescf.fe co,
sidsfed In another connection IN The gsI
esal correspondence by which rAvsi
othsr duly commissioned cfic ~ Of tith,
party nsy arrest any Of sndiBg vessel 81
tufn il over Il ths neAfsst psst Of ths nasi1
whose flag u carries, for such judicial pr,
cesdings - TIE lar pfovides, SHOULD /
! ineospoeastd here, the more eAscsually
caE1y eut ths Dsipuiassons cf shs fespecsi,
] seysfnnents to psahilltt citisets sn1 VI
j esls ffon taki7s ss1Is il ne svscl1,
j v~seFs d Bsbfing -,
u ~ ~ mSxnsdnrH Which z03Iopo n
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