Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-06-15
A CLOSED SEASON.
The Presidents Proclamation In Regard 20
the Bering Sea-
TEXT OF THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNITED
STATES AND GREAT BRITAIN WHICH WAS SIGNED
THIS AfTERSooS-RAPIprTY WITH WHICH THE
ARRANGEMENTS WE'RE CARRIED OUT.

The President today issued the following
proclamation: Whereas an engagement for a
modus vivendi between the United States and
the government Of her Britannia majesty. in
relation to the fur seal fisheries in Boring sea.
was concluded on the fifteenth day Of June. in
the year of our Lord one thousand eight hun
dred and ninety-one, word 2. word as follows:
agreement between the government of the
United States and government Of her Britannia
majesty for modus vivendi IN relation to the
fur seal fisheries in Boring sea-" For the pur-
pose OF avoiding irritating differences and
with view to promote the friendly settlement
OF the questions pending between the two gov
ernments touching their respective rights in
Bering sea, and for the preservation of the seal
species, the following agreement is made with
out prejudice to the rights or claims of either
party.
/. Her maiesty's government will prohibit
until May next seal killing in that part of
Boring 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 TO
insure the observance of the prohibition by
British subjects and vessels.
2. The United States government will pro-
hibit seal killing for the same period in the
same part Of Boring sea as on the two shores
and islands thereof, the property of
the United Sites Qncludng of 1900
the subsistence and care of the natives) and
will promptly use its best efforts TO ensure the
observance OF this prohibition by the United
States citizens and vessels.
8. 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 other duly commits
stoned 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 offcns,
and impose the penalties for the
same. The witnesses and proofs necessary &c
establish the offense shall also be sent with
them.
In order to facilitate such proper in
quiries as her majesty's government may
desire to make with a view to the pre-
sentation Of the case Of that govern
ment before arbitrators, and in expectation
| that an agreement for arbitration may be ar
rived at, il is agreed that suitable persons
designated by Great Britain will be permitted a
| 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 Wash
ington this 18th day Of June
1891, on behalf of their respective
governments, by WILTON +. Wharton. acting
secretary of state of the United States, and Sil
I
NJ, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipo
Tertiary.
lSEAL WILLIAM F. WHARTON.
lSEAL-I JULIAN PAUSCEFoTE.
Now therefore be it known that i, Benja
min Harrison, President of the United
States of America, have caused the said
| agreement to be made public to the
end that the same and every par
thereof may be observed and fulfilled with good
faith by the United States Of America and the
citizens thereof. In witness whereof have
here unto set my hand and caused the seal Of
the United States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington the fifteenth
day Of June, in the year OF our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and ninety-one and o.
the indedependence Of the United States the
one hundred and fifteenth.
tSeall Benz. HARRISON.
By the President
WILLIAM F. WHARTON,
Acting Secretary OF State.