The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1891-06-20
TIE MODUS VIVENDI.

Proclamation by the President Declaring
q Closed Sealing Season In Conformity
with the Agreement Reached Between
the United States and Great Britain and
signed by the Representatives of the
Two Powers.
WASHINGTON, June l6.-The follow
ing proclamation was issued at l o'clock,
yesterday:
WHEREAS, An agreement for a modus
vivendi between the government OF the
United States and the governments of her
BrttanIc majesty in relation to the FUR
seal fisheries in Behring sea was concinded
on the 18th day of June, in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and nine
ty-one, word for word as follows:
For the purpose of avoiding irritating
differences and with n 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 agreement is made without preju-
dice TO the rights or the claims of either
party:
l. Her maiesty's government will prohibit,
until May next, all seal killing in that part
of Bchring sea lying eastward of the line OF
demarcation described In Article No. Of
the treaty of Is;7 between the United States
and Russia. and will promptly use its best
efforts to insure the observance Of this pro-
hibition by British subjects and vessels.
2. The United states government will pro-
hibit seal killing for the same period in.fhe
same part OF Behring and on the shores
and islands thereof, the property Of the
United States lin excess of 7,sO0 to be taken
on the islands for the subsistence and care
of the natiycsl, and will promptly use its
best efforts to insure the observance Of this
prohi6 tion by United States citizens and
vessels.
!. Every vessel or person offending against
this prohibition in the said waters of Behring
sea. side of the ordinary territorial limits
of the Unire-l states. my be seized and de-
tanned by the naval or other duly commis-
stoned officers of either of the high contract
ing parties, but they shall be handed ever as
soon a practicable to the authorities of the
nation to which they respectively belong,
who shall alone have jurisdiction to try the
offense and impose the penalties for the
same. The witnesses and proofs necessary
10 establish the Uffense shall also be sent
with them
I. In order do facilitate such proper in
quiriCs as her maiesty's government may
desire to make, with view to the prcsenta-
tiOn of the case of that government before
arbitratoTs, and in expectation that an
agreement for arbitration may be arrived
at, II l. agreed that suitable persons desfg.
mated by Great Britain will be permitted ut
any time. upon application. to visit or to re-
main upon the seal Islands during the pres
ent sealing season for that purpose.
Signed and sealed in duplicate at WASH
ington, this fifteenth day of June, 1891, on be-
half Of their respective governments, by
william F. Wharton, acting secretary OF
| state of the United States. and Sir Julian
Paunccfote. e. G. NJ G., X. e. b. H. Il. NJ, en-
yoy extraordinary and minister pienipoten-
tiary.
| IScall WILLIAM +. WHARTON.
| IScall JULIAN PAUSCEFOTE.
Now, therefore, be II known that l. Benia-
| min Harrison, president of the United states
Of America. have caused the said agreement
tO be made public to the end that the same
and every part thereof may he observed aud
fulfil rd in good faith by the United States
Of America and the citizens thereof
In with whereof I have hereunto set
NV hand. and caused the seal of the United
states To be affixed
Done at the city of Washington. this 18th
tlay Of June, in the year of our Lord one
Thousand eight hundred and ninety one,
and of the independence of the United states
the one hundred and fifteenth.
lScal BENJAMIN HARRISON.
By the President: Wm. +. Wharton, Acting
Secretary of State.