Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-05-30
THE BERING SEA BILL.
Provisions Of the Measure introduced IN
Parliament.

Provisions OF the Measure introduced In
Parliament.
LONDON, May 30.-The Boring sea bill intro
duced into the house of commons last evening
on behalf Of the government by Mr.. W. H.
Smith, the first lord Of the treasury, provides
that the queen may, by orders taken in coun-
Gil, prohibit British ships from hunting
seal In the waters of Bering sea for period as
yet unspecified, but which is to be limited by
such orders. Itisfurther provided that while such
order isin force no person belonging to any Brit
ish ship shall kill. take, hunt or attempt to kill
take or hunt seals in the waters of Boring sea
during the interdicted period; no British ship,
its equipment or crew or any part of its equip
ment or crew shall be employed in killing, TAX
ing or hunting, or in any attempt to kill, take
OF hunt seals in such waters during the inter-
dicted period.
The bill also provides that those persons con-
travening the provisions of the act and all
persons aiding and abetting them in such con-
traventions shall be held to be guilty of a mis-
demeanor, and upon conviction Of the offense
the ship or ships owned by such violators Of
the law, together with everything found on
board the vessel or vessels, shall be declared
forfeited.
Any regularly commissioned officer Of her
matesty's naval forces is BY the bill clothed
with full power to stop and examine any British
vessel found in Boring sea during the period of
Introduction. He may, IL in bis opinion
British ship is attempting toavoid the provisions
OF the act, detain her or any portion Of her
crew. He may seize and detain any ship which
has wholly or as to any share therein
become subject to forfeiture as aforesaid
and bring her for adjudication before
the high court OF admiralty in England or Ire
land or before any court having admiralty
jurisdiction within her majesty's dominions.
and such court may thereupon make such
order as it may think fit and award the officer
bringing in the same for adjudication such
portion Of the proceeds of the sale of any for
feited ship or share a. it may think fit,
No such officer is to be responsible either
civilly or criminally to any person whomsoever
respecting the seizure or detention Of any shin
seized or detained by him in pursuance Of the
provisions herein contained-despite the fact
that such ship is not brought for adjudication or
il brought in is declared not to be liable to for
fixture il it is shown to the satisfaction of the
judge or court before whom any trial relating
to such ship or seizure or detention is 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 ag-
grieved, and may take such or other order in
premises as judge or court thinks IT.
Every offense by this act declared to be q
misdemeanor will be punishable by fine or BY
imprisonment with or without hard labor
The bill quotes various sections OF the mer-
chant shipping act US to be applied by the new
order. Il Is expected that the bill will be
passed next week and that afterward the coun-
Gil will fix the period over which II il to ex-
tend.