New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-23
WILL VISIT BEHRING SEA.
TWO BRITISH AGENTS TO INSPECT THE
ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES.
SIR GEORGE S. BADEN.PowELL. NJ. p. AND DR.
DAWSON SENT OUT TO GATHER FACTS ON
WHICH TO BASE GREAT BRITAIN's
CASE BEFORE THE BOARD
OF ARBITRATION.


CASE BEFORE THE BOARD
OF ARBITRATION.
Ionaon June 22-Sir George Smyth Baden
Powell. K C.. NJ G, Member of Parliament Tor
The Kirkdale division of Liverpool, and Dr. Daw
non. of the Canadian Survey Department, nave
been appointed arbiters in the Behrlng Sea REL
,rence- decided upon btween the Government OF
the United States and the Government oil "rao
Britain. 1t is expected that the first meenng
=, the BOARD of Arbitration will take place in
October.
The British members of the board will meet
,,most immediately at Ottawa. whence they VIII
.,roceed 20 Vancouver Island. British Coiumoia'
with the intention of spending two monohs Oh
hoard man-of-war cruising in Behring sea, ViSi'-
i've tho Pr;bvloff Islands and all the prlnclpal
stations freouented by sealers. AT the expiration
OF their cruise it is expected that the BRUSH
rerresentatives will be sufficiently acquainted win
,ha details of the seal-hunting business and with
the needs and interests of the sealers to ee aole
TO meet the American arbiters as experts
Ashley Froude. son of the historian has oceh
npuointed secretary of the British Behrng sea
Commission.
aThc Times to-day says that the appointments
x;, no received with general satisfaction both in
ENGLAND and in Canada The Times adds that
.tbe American commissioners doubtless Will De
eona,lv qualified, and the subject will have every
chance of being settled in an honorable ana peace
fuI manner, with full knowledge on both sldes.
Washington June % SpeciaD.- 1t Is scarcely ac-
nurate 10 call the two Commissioners appointed To-
dav bv the British Government "arbiters' IN the
Behrinc Sea dispute, since the terms oil arol'rauoh
bctween Great Britain and the United States have
not vet been agreed upon nor the NUMBER OF ar
bters fixed. Sir George Bsden-Powell ana MT.
ill
Dawson are in fact, not "arblters al all, nor are
tbev anpointed as such. They are simply agents
sent in behalf of the British Government to In
spect the Alaskan seal fisheries and to prepare the
facts and arguments on which Great Britain will
submit her case TO the Board of Arbitration when
actual arbitration comes. The warrant for the
appointment of two such agents is contained IN
the fourth paragraph of the agreement between
the two countries as to modus vivend1, con-
cluded on June 5, which reads as follows
In order to facilitate such proper inquiries as Hee se
Mess may Sf Iese Se case 80 Of that Govern
nett before arbitratOrs and in expectation thai an
a tSat suitable persons designated by Great
Britain will be permitted at any ume upon aPpMcauThn on
10 visit or 70 remain upon the seal Islands during he
present sealing season for that purpose
The British Government being anxious to ac-
ouire as much information as it could about the
conduct OF the seal fisheries Behrng Sea islands,
and also to keep a watch on the operations OF
rbe sealing company which holds the lease, hrSt
asked that British Consuls might De stationed
on the Seal Island during the present season.
President Harrison overruled this Suggestion, Oh
the ground that there was no commerce. IN Uhe
rdinor,, sense on the Seal Islands, the landing of
vessels there being strictly under the supervision
of the Treasury officials and that there couiu'
commemorative be no consular functions to be per
forned on the islands. AT the same time, now
nver the President expressed, in the letter oil
lime 4. his entire willingness TO extend reason
able facilities to Great Britain for the lnVeStle@
tion az the islands of any facts involved IN 'ie
controversy"
Again. in the letter of June to Sir Jullon
Pauncefote. Mr. Wharton, the acting secretary
OF State, says A., ~
In view Of the fact that the evidence w wc9 ts w
spective Governments will present TO tle ar4It;ne
NJ that happy solution OF the pendins . HiiI ,snc
shall be attained must be collected G9 t9 M MaFbraon
cannot be concluded contemporaneously ", WIN ii uS
sgTeG%eh ut aTec te fsf Her ajctys Government
send 10 the seal Islands, with view to collecting te
sScu ssct. that at NAV be involved in arbitration ana
,ax fa~tS relating 20 seal life and the results
M the methods which have been puisnou III unc hiiS
nacess1rv Sbs@rvaons The present and the compare
tive continuance Of the rookercs may pefo"o ,tain ea
event and The President would not ask that le evl
dence upon that subject should De "hohy HVni o"0
side.
FINALLY the fourth paragraph of the modus
,iverdi was suggested in It's present form by the
President. and became q part Of the agreement OF
June Is. - ;,
The present mission of the two appontees Is
therefore limited apparently, TO an inveStls'-
ton of the condition of the Alaskan seal fisheries
and though their report will have an important
bearing the general question OF Sg,'hs IN IN
poh,ing Sea thoir work now is altogether pre-
iiminary 70 the actual presentation and judgment
Of the case.