The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-05-31
ENGLAND AND TaR SEALS.
Text of the Bering Sea Bill INTRODUCED
in tne House of Commons.

in the House of Commons.
LONDON, May 30.-The text Of the Bering
sea bill introduced in the House Of Com
mons yesterday by William Henry Smith.
first lord OF the treasury, isin substance as
follows: Her majesty lthe queen may, by
an order in council, prohibit the catching
OF seals by British ships during a period
TO be limited by an order Of coun-
der this act is in force no person belonging
to British ship sesH kill, take or hunt or
attempt to kill. take or hunt any seal with
in Bering sea during the period stated in
the order I'm council No British ship or
| any equipment or crew thereof shall be em-
ployed Ia such killing, taking or hunting,
or attempt az killing, taking or hunting.
DECLARED A MtsDRMEANoR.
IL there be any consravention of this act
| any person committing, procuring, aiding
or abetting such contravontiou shall be
guilty of misdetneanor within the mean.
ing Of the merchant shipping act, aud the
ship or equipment and everything on board
shall be forfeited TO her majesty as
IL the oifense had been committed under
| section los Of said dot, and sections l03 and
l04 shall apply as il they were herein re-
enacted and ia terms applicable TO an
offense and forfeiture under this act ANY
have the power during the period limited
by the order in council to stop and examine
any British ship In Bering sea and to de-
tain her or any portion Of her equipment or
any of her crew IL In his Judgment the ship
is being or preparing TO be used or ems
ployed in contravention or this section.
TIRE BURDEN OF PROOF.
IL British ship is found within Boring
ses, having on board fishing or shooting
implements or seal skins or the bodies Of
seals, it shall lie with the owner or master
OF such ship TO prove that the ship was not
used or employed in contraventlon of this
act.
This act shall apply to the animal known
as the fur seal, and TO any marine animal
specified in that behalf by the order in
council under this act, and the expression
'seall in this act shall be construed
accordingly. The expression "Bering sea-
in this Aot means the seas known
as Beriug sea within the limits described in
the order in council under this act. The
expression equipment" in this act includes
any boat, tackle, fishing or shooting instru-
ments or other thing belonging TO the ship.
RIGHTS OF OFFICERS.
In order that the above provisions may
be carried into effect 10 shRll be lawful for
any commissioned officer on full pay in tho
military or naval service Of her majesty, or
any British officer OF the customs or British
consular officer 30 seize and detain any ship
which has wholly, or as to any
share therein, become subject to for
feiture as aforesaid, and bring her
for adjudication before toe high court
OF admiralty In England or Ireland, or be-
fore any court having admiralty jurisdie-
tiou within her maiesty's domlnions, aud
such court may thereupon make such order
as it may think fit, and award the officer
bringing Ia the same for adjudication such
portion of the proceeds OF the sale of any
forfeited ship or share as it may think fit.
NO PERSONAL LIABILITY.
- No such officer Is DO be responsible either
civilly OF criminally to any person whom
soever respecting the seizure or detention
of any ship seized or detained by him in
pursuance Of the provisions herein con-
tained--despite the fact that such ship is
not brought in for adjudication, or if
brought In is declared not TO be
liable to forfeiture IL IL is shown
to the satisfaction Of the judge or court be-
fore whom any trial relating TO such ship
OF seizure or detention ia held that there
were reasonable grounds for such seizure or
detention. But IL no such grounds are
shown. such judge or court may award pay
ment OF costs or damages to any party
aggrieved and may make such other order
in the promises as the judge OF court thinks
fit.
Every offense by this act declared to be
misdemeanor will be punishable by fine
or by imprisonment, or with hard labor.
The bill quotes various sections of the
merchant shipping act to be applied by the
new order. 1t is expected that the bill will
be passed next week, and that afterward
the council will Ak the period over which IL
Is 10 extend.