Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-06-16
THE TRUCE DECLARED
Between Great Britain and United
States on Bering Sea.
CLOSE SEAL SEASON AGREED ON.
Salisbury Finally Gives in to the Terms
Harrison Offers.
THE CORRESPONDENCE ON THE SUBJECT

WASHINGTON, June 15.-The agreement
between the United States and British Gov
ernments for close season in Bering Sea-
known as the modus vivendi, was signed to-
day. This action was at once followed by
the issuance of a proclamation by the Presi-
dent on the subject, making public the
agreement that both governments will pro-
hibit seal killing until May of next year.
The arrangement was carried to compile
tion with degree of speed without prece-
dent in the history of the State Department
and the cable has been relied upon to an un-
wonted extent The agreement was signed
this morning by Sir Julian Pauncefote and
Mr.. Wharton. The Navy Department has
been advised and orders are now in prepara-
tion for the immediate dispatch of probably
two naval vessels from San Francisco to
Alaska where they will assist the three rev
enue cutters in the task of driving OFF the
poaching sealing vessels. The agreement
authorizes United States vessels to seize
offending British vessels, which, however,
are to be turned over to the British authori-
ties for trial, and this feature of the agree
ment is expected to prove of great value.
Correspondence on the Subject.
The Department of State to-day also made
public the correspondence on the subject OF
the Bering Sea seal fisheries, which has
taken place since May % last. The matter
begins with note dated June 8, submitted
by Sir Julian Pauncefote, in reply to Secre-
tary Blaine's letter of May 4. In that letter
the Secretary says that soon after the au-
journment of Congress he submitted to the
Minister u proposition for a modus yivendi
pending the result of arbitration. This was
in substance that sealing be totally s9s- %
pended by both nations and subsequently the
proposition was modified to allow 500 seal
to be killed to maintain the natives.
To this proposition Sir Julian Pauncefote
replied with an amended draft of the agree
ment, which opens this mass of correspon-
dence. This drafted agreement in its first
articles differs from the one signed to-day, in
covering by the interdict against killing, the
provided for British Consuls to the islands
this summer, and provided that unless the
assent of Russia be obtained to the conven-
tion it should not come into operation.
No British ConsuIs Allowed.
In reply the President said that no British
consular functions could be exercised on the
Bering Sea Islands, but that reasonable facil-
tiles might be extended Great Britain for in
vestigating, at the islands, any facts in
volved in the controversy to be arbitrated.
The bringing of Russia into the affair at this
time could not be granted by the United
States.
This reply was sent to Lord Salisbury, and
on June 6, two days later, his response was
received In it he accepts the Presidents
suggestion as to the capture by either power
OF violators of the agreement and the
turning over to the power to which the
violators might belong for trial, but he
thinks in return Britain should have grant
ed her a consnl on the islands to see that no
more than 1900 seals were taken. This was
regarded Indispensable, and in place of q
consul asks that a British agent may be
specially authorized to reside on the
islands," The demand to take Russia into
the situation was withdrawn by Salisbury.
Regarding the British claim that the inter
dict shall cover all Behring Sea- the shores
and islands included, the President points
out that the shores and islands belong to the
United States and any mutual policing of
United States territorial waters involved an
insuperable difficulty on our part and a
concession which no independent govern
ment could be expected to make.
Salisbury Comes to Time.
The President once more formulates the
agreed points and his own views as indicated
on others in proposition for modus vivendi.
This date of the President bore date June
and proved to be the ultimate form of agree
ment which was signed to-day. On June Is
Salisbury's final reply is delivered, in which
he accepts the Presidents form of agree
ment for q modus vivendi, uttering some
objections however, which are not pressed.
The State Department agrees to the ap-
pointment of joint commission to ascer-
tain what measures are necessary for the
preservation of the seal species, such an
agreement to be signed simultaneously with
the convention for arbitration, and to be
without prejudice to the questions TO be
submitted to the arbitrators In the same
communication the President names Mon
day, June Is, at 10 A. NJ, as the time for sign
ing the agreed proposals, and Pauncefote
was notified aCCOrQinplV.