The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-04-19
The NEW MODUS yIvENDL.
It was Signed Yesterday Morning and
Anerward Transmitted to the Senate.

WASHINGTON. April IL. An agreement be-
tween the United States and Great Britain for
a modus rire,idi in relation to the fur seal fish
cries in Behring Sea for the present season
was signed this morning BY Sir Julian Paunce-
tote. the British Minister. representing the
Government of her Britannia Majesty and by
James G. Blaine Secretary OF State. represent
ing the Government OF the United States. This
important agreement was signed ut II o'clock
this morning at the residence OF Secretary
Blaine. who. owing to the inclement weather.
did not 90 to the department He at once took
it over to the Executive Mansion and laid it
before the President, who in the after
noon transmitted it to the Senate for
its action. The modus is in tho form
OF a supplemental convention to the treaty Of
arbitration recently negotiated and ratified.
1t says that both Governments will prohibit
during tho sealing season the killing OF seal
In that part OF the BehrinG Sea lying eastward
Of tho line Of demarcation described in article
States and Russia. and each Government will
enloin its citizens and vessels to nm observance
understood. is allowed to kill for the sub
sistence, of tho natives on tho islands OF st.
Paul and st. George 1900 seals. til. same re:
States binds itself to observe this prohibition.
:, The vessels of either tho United States or
oendns against tbs as H s f may ::
seized 10y either Of the high contracting par
ties. but as soon as practicable should be
hunded over to the authorities of tho nation
to which they belong. who shall have sole
jurisdiction to try the offence and impose the
penalties for the same.
In general it may be said that the document
Is renewal Of the agreement OF 1891. with
tho addition OF clause providing for the set
Element OF damages sustained by the Cana
dian sealerS through the interruption OF their
business in case the arbitration goes against
the United States. Under this clause. owners
OF Canadian seal ng vessels have already be-
gun to lille their claims with commission MP
Cen Foster. the agent o! the United States.
who Is preparing the case for this Govern
m"nt and the Hon. J.. 5. Phelps. counsel. are
leaving I'D point uncovered. and will be fully
prepared to meet the claims on this score. in
tho event that they shall ever be pressed for
payment
In the senate there was some objection to
dnmages sustained by Canadian sealers be-
cause Of interruption to the usiness through
the new agreement. several Senators from the
far West Directing to its incorporation in tho
agreement. Mr.. sherman and other members
OF the Committee on Foreign Relations
defended the clause in the interest OF
fairness. and it is probable that tho obiec-
supposed from the remarks made by those
opposed to it. Members Of the Committee on
Foreign Relntions generally defended the
agreement, and passed many congratulatory
rennrks on the pcaccnble and honorable set
Element which the United States had accom-
rlishod, by Gdhering to its principle that the
seals should be protected pending II settle
mont OF tho whole matter. The ngreeme nt
was finally referred to the COMMITTEES on For
eisn Relations for investigation and REPORT