The Lamar register., 1891-06-20
THE eeHRlNo SEA DISPUTE.
An Amicable Arrangement Which will
Probably Lead to Final
Settlement.

President Harrison on the 10th
mept entered into on that day between the
British ard American governments. Fol-
owing are the conditions Of the contract,
which is intended to be temporary pend
ing the final settlement Of the question OF
our right TO control the seal fisheries in
Behring Sea.
Eirst-Her msiesty's government Will
prohibit until May next seal killing in
that part of Behring Sea lying eastward
of the line OF demarcstion described in
article OF the treaty Of 1851 between the
! United States and Russia, and viii
promptly use Its best efforts TO insure the
observance Of this prohibition by British
subjects and vessels.
Second-The United States government
Will prohibit seal killing for the same
period in the same part Of Behring Sea,
and on the shores and islands thereof,
the properly OF tho United States ia ex-
cess Of :, go TO be taken on the islands for
the subsistence aud care OF the natives
and will promptly use its best efforts &c
cause the observance OF this prohibition
| by United States citizens or vessels.
Third-Every vessel or person offending
| against prohibiticns In the said waters of
BehrinE Sea outside Of the ordinary terri
tnrlAl limits Of the United States may be
seized and detained by the naval or duly
commissioned oficsrs Of either high con-
tracing parties, but they shall be handed
over as soon as practicable 20 the authori-
ties OF the nation to which they respective
~ belong. which will have jurisdiction to
try the ofrense and impose the penalties
| for the same. The witnesses aud proofs
necessary TO establish the ofiense shall
also be sent with them.
Fourth--In order to facilitate such
proper Inquiries as her majesty, govern
ment desired 10 make With a view 10 the
presentation Of the case OF that govern
ment before arbitration may be arrived a.
il is agreed that such persons designated
by Great Britain will be permitted at any
time. upon application, to visit or remain
upoa the seal islands during the present
sealing season for that purpose
HThe arrangement indicated In the above
proclamation was carried into effect with
a Gt EEt- Al siefl NlllpAA PEFNtlchA AA AAS
history OF the state department, and the
cable bad been relied upOu 10 an unwonted
eNtout. The agreemen; was signed Mon
day morning by Sir Julian Paunoefote aud
MIR. Wharton, and the presidential proc
lamatiou followed as quickly as 1t ooald
be prepared The navy department bad
also been advised OF the progress aud
necessities OF the case, and order. are now
in preparation for the Immediate dispatch
OF probably two naval vessels from San
| Francisco 10 Alaska, where they viii as
sist the three revenue cutters 10 the task
OF driving on the poachinE seal vessels
II win be uoticed that the agreement
authorizes the United States vessels 70
seize offending British vessels which,
however. are TO be turned over to the
British authorities for trisl, aud thss
feature Of the agreement Is expected 70
prove OF great value In the pre.siIg
emergency that is held TO exist for clear
ing ont the breaking vessels before
iTrepsrable damage has been done 70 the
seal fisheries