The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-06-16
SEAL FISHING PROHIBITED.
Agreement for q MOduS YlVendi With
Great Britain Announced.
THE CORRESPONDENCE LEADING UP TO IT.
Full Texts of the Agreements, Proposals and
COunter-PropOsals- -Russia'e Part
In the Matter.

WASHINGTON, ~. -, June 10. - lue
President this afternoon issued q pro
clamation announcing an agreement
for modus vivendi between the
United States and Great Britain for a closed
season in the Behring sea fur seal fisheries
which was signed by Acting Secretary Whar-
ton and Sir Julian Pauncefote, the British
Minister to-day.
The agreement is as follows: Agreement
between the Government Of the United States
and Government Of Her Britannia Majesty
for modus vivendi in relation to the fur seal
fisheries in the Bohring sea. for the purpose
of avoiding irritating differences and with "a
view TO promote the friendly settlement NJ
the questions pending between The two GOV
ernments touching their respective rights IN
bebung sea and tor the preservation OF the
seal species
The following agreement IS without preJu-
dice TO either party:
THE AGREEMEST.
l. Her Maiesty's Government will prohibit
until May next seal-klling IN that part o.
Behring sea lying eastward Of the line OF de-
marcation described in article no. l Of the
treaty of 1867 between the United States ana
Russia and will promptly use its best efforts
to insure the observance of the prohibition by
British subjects and vessels.
2 The United States Government will pro
hibit seal-kiiling for the same period in the
same part of Behring sea - on the two
shores and its lands thereof, the property OF
the United States including 1900 10 be
taken Oh the islands for the subsistence and
care of the natives), and will promptly use It's
best efforts TO ensure the observance OF tins
prohibition by the United States citizens and
vessels.
THK PUNISHMENT
g. Every vessel orperson offending against
this prohibition III the said waters of Behrlng
sea outside of the ordinary territorial limits OF
the nited States may be seized and detained
by the naval or other duly commissioned OH
GERS of either Of the high contracting parties
but they shall be handed over as soon as prac-
ticable 10 the authorities OF the nation to
which they respectively belong, who shall
alone have jurisdiction to try the
oflense and impose the penalties for
the same. The witnesses and proofs
necessary TO establish the otense shall
also be sent with them In order 70 facilitate
such proper inquiries as Her Maiasty's Gov
ernment may desire to make, with view 70
the presentation of the case of that Govern
ment before arbitratOrs and IN expectation
that an agreement for arbitration may be ar
rived at it is agreed that suitable persons
designated by Great Britain will be permitted
at any time upon Application 10 visit or 10 re-
main upon Seal Island during the present
sealing season for that purpose.
THE CORRESPONDENCE.
The Behring sea correspondence which led
up 10 the modus vlvendi to-day was made
public by the Department of State this after
noon. The correspondence begins with a
letter from Minister Pauncefote IN reply 70
one from Secretary Blaine. dated May ith. in
which Mr.. Blaine proposed a closed sealing
season Sir Julian Pauncefote's letter in re-
plv to the proposition of Secretary Blaine
follows. and includes the following proposal
of Her Maiestys Government for a mOdus
vivendi in the Behriug sea during the present
fishery season.
The Governments of Great Britain and Of
the l1nited States shall prohibit until May,
1892 the killing of seals in Behrng sea or any
islands thereof and will 10 the best OF their
power and ability ensure that subjects and
citizens Of the two nations respectively and
the vessels flying their respective fiags shall
observe that prohibition. During the period
above specified the United States Government
shall have the right to kill 1900 seals. Con
suls may at any time be appointed to the
islands III the Behrng sea. and the United
States Government will grant an 'exequatur
to any such cOnsuls. Unless the assent u
Russia be obtained 10 this convention II shall
not come into operation.
THE PRESIDENTS OBJECTIONS.
On June 4th Acting-Secretary Wharton. in a
long communication, stated that the President
objects 10 some points in the British prOpo-
sal. especially waiting until the assent OF
Russia was obtained.
SirJulian Pauncefote replied June 9Th that be
had telegraphed Mr. WhartOn's letter 10 Lord
Salisbury and enclosed a memorandum ac-
ceptiug the proposal of the President that the
modus vivendi il agreed upon, should pro-
vide that the naval or otherduly commissioned
officers of either party may arrest any offend
4 g.trar 4f ha NJ est N n..rf
of the natl on whose flag II carries IOr Judlclal
proceedings as the law provides.
Lord Salisbury waves his point that the
Russian Government should be- q party 10 the
agreement He suggests that the United
States can under the statute specially
authorize the residence OF British agen-
ON the Seal Islands during the present season
to satisfy the British Government that the
2. 500 limit is not exceeded. Salisbury Will eS-
tend the prohibition over the entire BelruS
sea if the United States agrees u 90 the same
The memorandum concludes. In 4. IL
clusion Lord Salisbury states that Her Malcs-
tvs Government considers II q matter OF great
Importance that the two Governments should
agree on the terms Of arbitration al tie same
time as on "a mOdus vivendi he suspension
Of sealing is not measure which they could
repeat another year"
HARRISON SATISFIED
To this memorandum Mr. Wharton wrote
June 9TH expressing the Presidents satlsiac-
ton with Lord Saiisburys note and SAYS
The President Is sure that Lord Salisbury
viii not question the absolute GOOD faith OF
this Government in observing its stipulation
to limit the catch to 800. This Government
could not Of course consent b any arrange
ment that implied such doubt, or involved
any foreign supervision on the islands. u
the prompt and eflectual recall OF the Aeet @.
Canadian sealers now at sea was as fuzzy
within the control Of Great Britain, the Pre-
iLo.-t ,ro,,ld MT hnvn su-na.- el tie mr-vlsl-m D