The state herald., 1891-06-19
THE 5EHRlNa SEA DISPUTE.
An AmIcable Arrangement Which will
Probably Lead to Final
Settlement.

President Harrison on tho 10Th
made public the provisions OF IN agree-
ment entered into on that day between the
British AID American governments. Fol-
owing are the conditions of the contract,
which Is intended to bo temporary pend
Ing tho flnal settlement Of the question Of
our right to control tho seal fisheries in
Behrlng Sea.
First-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 Of the treaty of 1867 between the
United States and Russia, and will
promptly uss its best efforts to insure the
observance Of this prohibition by British
subjects and vessels.
Second-The United States government
will prohibit seal killing for the same
period In the same part Of Bchring Sea,
and on tho shores and islands thereof,
tho property Of the United States dn ex-
cess OF I, 100 to be taken on the islands for
tho subsistence and cure OF the nativcs)
and will promptly use Its best efforts to
cause the observance Of this prohibition
by United States citizens or vessels.
Third-Every vessel or person offending
against prohibitions In the said waters OF
Behring Sea outside Of tho ordinary terri
torial limits of tho United States may be
seized and detained by the naval or duly
commissioned officers Of either high con-
tracing parties, but they shall bc handed
over US soon as practicable to the authori-
ties OF the nation to which they respective.
ly belong, which will have Jurisdiction to
try the ofrense and impose tho penalties
for the same. The witnesses and proofs
necessary to establish the ofliense shall
also DO sent with them.
Fourth-In order to facilitate such
proper inquiries as hor maiesty's govern
mcnt desired to make with a view to the
presentation Of tho case Of that govern
mcnt before arbitration may be arrived at,
1t is agreed that such persons designated
by Great Britain will be permitted at any
time. upon application, to visit or remain
upon the seal islands during the present
scaling season for that purpose.
EThe arrangement indicated in the above
proclamation was carried into effect with
degree Of speed without precedent in the
history OF the state department, and the
cable hnd been relied upon to an unwontcd
extent. Tho agreement was signed Mon
day morning by Sir Julian Pauncefotc and
MIR. Wharton, and the presidential proc
lamation followed as quickly as 1t could
be prepared. The navy department had
also been advised Of the progress and
necessities of the case, and orders are now
in preparation for tho immediate dispatch
OF probably two naval vessels from San
Francisco to Alaska, where they will as
sist tho three revenue cutters In the task
Of driving OF the poaching seal vessels.
1t will be noticed that the agreement
authorizes the United States vessels to
seize offending British vessels. which,
however, are to be turned over TO the
British authorities for trial, and this
feature Of the agreement is expected to
prove OF great value In the pressing
emergency that is held to exist for clear
ing out the law-breaking vessels before
irreparablc damage has been done to the
seal fisheries.