St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-06-16
And Incidentally to Avoid
Irritating Differences as
to Behring Sea.
The Agreement Between the
United States and Great
Britain.
England Will Have No Con-
suls on the Islands, but
Simple Agents.
Red Tape Record Broken by
the Dispatch Shown in
This Case.

WASHINGTON, June 15.-Tha depart-
ment of state to-day made public the
correspondence on the subject of the
Behring sea seal fisheries which has
taken place since May rs last. The
matter begins with a note dated June
3, submitted by Sir Julian Pauncefote
In reply to Secretary Blaine's letter of
March +. In that letter the secretary
says that soon after the adjournment of
congress he submitted to the minister a
proposition for modus yiYendi, pending
the result of arbitration. This was in
substance that sealing be totally sus-
pended by both nations, and subse-
quently the proposition was modified to
allow 1850 seals to be killed to maintain
the natives. To this proposition Sir
Julian Pauncefote replied with a draft
OF an agreement which opens this mass
OF correSp SpOndence. This drafted agree
ment i'll its first article differs from the
one signed to-day, and also in covering
by the lnterdIct against killing the
whole OF Behring sea and its islands.
Then follow various letters in regard to
details. froma President Harrison aud
Lord Salisbury. The British premier
contended for English consuls or resi-
dent agents to see that the agreemant
was hOnored, and also held that Russia
shonld be brought in as party to the
situation, but later he withdrew the lat
ter proposition. The president ex-
pressed willingness to allow British
subjects on the islands to gather facts
and information for the British govern
ment, but not as consular agents, and
SALISBURY finally agreed to this.
The Agreement.
For the purpose of avoiding irritating
differences, and with view to promote
the friendly settlement of the questions
pending between the two governments
touching their respective rights in
BehrIng sea, and for the preservation of
the seal species, the following agree
ment is made without prejudice to the
rights or claims of either party.
l. Her majesty's government will pro-
hlblt, until May next, seal killing in that part
OF Behrlng sea lying eastward of the line of
demareatioa described in Article No. 1 of the
treaty OF 1867 between the United States and
RUSSIA, ana VIII promptly use its best efforts
to insure the observance Of this prohibition
by British subjects and vessels.
Inc nited States government will pro-
hlolt seal killing for the same period in the
same part OF Behring sea and on the shores
and islands thereof the property of the
United states lin excess of 1900 to be taken
on the islands for the subsistence and care
o. the natives, and will promptly use its
best efforts TO insure the observance of this
prohibition by United States citizens and
vessels.
Third-Every vessel or person offending
against this prohibition in the said waters of
Behring sea outside of the ordinary terrific
rial limits OF the United States NAV be seized
and detained by the naval or other duly COM
missioned officers of either of the contract
ing parties, but they shall be handed over as
soon as practicable to the authorities of the
nation 10 which they respectively belong.
VINO shall alone have jurisdiction to try the
ofense and impose the penalties for the
same. The witnesses and proofs necessary
TO establish the offense shall also be sent
with them.
Fourth-In order to facilitate such proper
inquiries as her majesty's government may
desire to make, with view to the presenta-
ton OF the case of that government before
arbltrators, and in expectation than an agree
menr for arbitration may be arrived at il is
agreed that suitable persons, designated bv
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 Washing
ton this 18th day of June, 1891, on behalf Of
their respecuue governments, by William F.
Wharton, acting secretary of state of the
United States, and Sir Julian Pauncefote G.
c. NJ. g., K. G. B., II. B. NJ. envoy extra
ordinary and minister plenipotentiary
WILLIAM f. WHARTON