The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-06-18
ANNOUNCING THE TEXT OF THE
NEW TREATY WITH GREAT
BRITAIN.
CATCHING OF SEALS SUSPENDED.
A Slight Exception Made in Favor of
Uncle Sam-The Probability of Final
Arbitration limited At.

WASHINGTON, June lathe presi-
dent today issued the following proc
lamation:
Whereas, an agreement for modus
vivendi between the government of
the United States and the government
of Her Britannia majesty, in regard to
the fur seal fisheries, in Behrlng sea,
was concluded on the 18th day of June
in the year of our Lord, 1891, word
for wordas follows:
An agreement between the govern
ment of the United States and the
government of Her Britannia
majesty for the modus vivendi in re-
lation to fur seal fisheries in Behring
sea.
For the purpose OF avoiding ali
irritating differences, and with view
of promoting friendly settlement of
the questions pending between the
two governments, touching their re-
spective rights in Behring sea, and
for the preservation of the seal spe-
cies, the following agreement is made
without prejudice to the rights or
claims OF either party:
l. Her majesty's government will
prohibit, until May next, seal killing
in that part of Behring sea lying east
ward of the line of demarcation de,
scribed in article No. of the 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.
3. 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 property of the United States lex
cept the value of $1,000 to be taken on
the islands for the subsistence aud
care of the natives), and will promptly
use its best efforts to insure the OBJ
servance of this prohibition by the
United States of citizens and vessels.
2 Every vessel or person offending
against these prohibitions in said
waters OF Behring sea, outside of the
ordinary territorial limits of the United
States may be seized and detained by
naval authority and duly commits
stoned officers of either of the high
contracting parties, but they shall be
handed over as soon as practicable to
the authorities of the nation to which
they respectively belong, which shall
have Jurisdiction to try the offense
ooJ ;co,oso ,>o0olt;os for @bo oar.o
Witnesses and the proofs necessary to
establish the offenses shall also be
sent with them.
In order to facilitate such proper
inquiries as her majesty's government
desire to make with view to the pre-
sentation of the case of the govern,
ment before the arbitrators and in
expectation that an agreement for ar
bitration may be arrived at, it il
agreed that suitable persons designated
by Great Britain will be permitted, at
any time, upon application, to visit OF
remain upon the seal islands dur
ing the present sealing season, for
that purpose.
Signed and sealed in duplicate, at
Washington, this 18th day of June,
1891, ON behalf of their respective gov.
ernments by VIM. +. Wharton, acting
secretary of state, of the United States
and Sir Julian Pauncefote, G.. G. NJ. g.
X. G. B. H. r. NJ, envoy extraordin-
airy and minister plenipotentiary.
WIN. F. WHARTON [sEAL].
JULIAN PAUNCEFoTE [sEALl.
Now, therefore, be it known that l,
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 be observed and full
illed with good faith by the United
States Of America and the citizens
thereof. In witness whereof I have
1ereunto set my hand and caused the
ZEAL of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the city OF Washington, this
18th day Of June, in the year OF our
Lord. 1891. and of the independence of
he United States one hundred and If
zenith. BENJAMIN HARRISON.
By the President:
LsEAL WIN. F. WHARTON,
Acting Secretary of State.