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 Behring Sea seal fish
| cries:
/ WHEREAS. An agreement for a 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 for
word as follows
Agreement between the Government of the U. ;.
and the Government of Her Britannia Majesty
for modus vivendi in relation to the fur and
seal fisheries in Behring Sea.
For the purpose of avoiding irritating differences
and with view to promote the friendly settlement
Of the questions pending between the two govern
ments touching their respective rights in Beh ring
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's Government will prohibit until
May next seal killing in that part of Behring Sea
lying eastward of the line of demarcation described
in Article No ] of the treaty Of 1867 between the
United States and Russia, and will promptly use its
best efforts insure the observance of this prohibi-
ton by British subjects and vessels.
. 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 of the United States lin excess OF 7oOO
TO be taken on the islands for the subsistency aud
care of the natives and will promptly use its best
efforts to insure the observance of this prohibinon
by the United States citizens and vessels
>. Every vessel or person offending against this
prohibition in the said waters of Behring 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
high contracting parties but they 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 to establish the ofiense 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, to 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-
spectve governments, by William F. Wharton,
Acting Secretary of State of the United States and
Sir Julian Pauncefote, e. C. N. c., X. C. b. Fl. b.
NJ, envoy extraordinary and minister pleniDoten-
liary,
WILLIAM +. WHARTON. Seal
JULIAN PAUNCEFoTE. tSeal.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 and every part thereofmay
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
atfixed.
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.
TSeall BENZ. HARRISON.
By the President:
WILLIAM F. WHARTON,
Acting Secretary of State.