The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-06-16

WAsHINGToN, Juno l5.-[Spcciall-
The President to-day issued the follow
ing proclamation:
Whereas, an engagement for modus
vivendi between the United States and
the government of her Britanic majesty
in relation to the fur seal fisheries in
Boring sea WAS concluded the 18th day
of June, the year a. d. 1891, word for
word as follows:
"The agreement between the govern
ment of the United States and the gov
crnmcnt OF her Brittanic Majesty for
modus vivendi in relation to the fur
seal fisheries in Behring sea for the
purpose of avoiding irritating difference
and with view to promote friendly set
Element of the question pc nding between
the two governments using respective
powers i'll l,cring sea. and for seal
species, tho following agreement is made
without prejudice to any or claims of
either party.
First. Her majcsty's governmentwill
prohibit until May next seal killing in
that part of Boring Sea eastward Of the
line Of demsrcation docribed in article
No of treaty OF 1867 between the
United States and Russia and will
promptly use its best efforts to insure
the observance of this prohibition by
British subjects and vessels.
Second. The United States govern
ment will prohibit seal-killing for the
same period in the Same part OF Boring
Sea and on the shore and islands
thereof, the properly of the United
States Tin excess Of $500 to DC taken
on the island for subsistence and care of
the natives) and will promptly use it's
best efforts to insure observance of this
prohibition by the United States citizens
and vessels.
Third. Every vessel or person offend
ing against this prohibition in SAID
waters of Boring sea outside of tho ordi-
nary territory limits of the United
States may be seized and detained by
the naval or other duty commissioned
officers of either of high contracting
as soon rs practicable to the authorities
Of nation to which they respectively
belong. who shall alone have iurisdlc-
ton to try tho oifensc and impose the
penalties for same. Witnesses and
proofs necessary to cst Ia blish the offcnse
shall also be sent with them.
Fourth. in order to facilitate matters
1T is i'll question as TO what her ma icsty's
government may desire to make with Il
view to the present alone: that the
government before arbitra ton and in
expectation that an agreement for arbi-
ration may be arrived at, it is agreed
that suitable persons designated by
Great l'ritian will be permitted at any
time upon application to visit or to re-
main on the seal islands during the
present scaling season for that pur
pose
Here follows the official attest ac-
ton by Assistant Secretary Wharton
and the ministers.
Now, therefore, he It known that |,
benjamin Harrison. President of the
United States OF America, have caused
said agreement to be made public to the
end that the Same may be observed and
fulfilled, and that the facts by the
United States of America and citizens
thereof In witness whereof have hero
unto set my hand and caused seal of
United States to be affixed
Done at the city of Washington.
this, the 18th day Of June.
"BENJAMIN HARRISON.
by the President.
WILILAM +. WHARTON
Acting Secretary of State"
Tho arrangement indicted in the
above proclamation has been carried to
completion with degree of speed un-
equaled without doubt in the history of
state. and the cable has been relied
upon to an unwonted extent The agree
ment was signed by Sir Julian Paunce-
fotc and Acting Secretary Wharton and
the President. Tho proclamation fol-
lowed as quickly rs it conld he prepared.
The Navy Department has also been
advised of the progress and necessity OF
the case. and orders are now in prcpara-
ton for the immediate dispatch of what
ever force is available to aid the three
revenue cutters in the task of driving
oil poaching sealing vessels
1t will be noticed that the agreement
authorizes the United States vessels to
seize offending British vessels. which
however, arc To be turned over to tho
British authorities for trial. and this
feature of agreement is expected to
prove of great value in pressing emcr-
Sency, that is held to exist, of clearing
out the law breaking vessels before ir-
reparablc damage has been done to seal
fisheries.