The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-05-04
New M0DUS VIVENDL
The Convention Between the
United States and England.
Protection for the Seals During
the Tendency Of Arbitration.

An agreement between the United States
and Great Britain for modus vivendi -
relation to the fur seal fisheries in Bering
Sea for the present season has BEEN dgned,
at Washington, by Sir Julian Pauncefotes
the British Minister. representing the Cow
ernment Of her Britannia Majesty, and by
James g.. Blaine, Secretary OK State,
representing the Government OF
the United States. This import
ant agreement was signed at II
o'clock in the morning at the residence oE
Secretary Blaine, wac, owing to the incle-
ment weather, did not 20 to the department..
He at once took it over to the Executtvo
Mansion and laid it before the PRESIDENT
who in the afternoon transmitted 1t TO tho
Senate for its action.
The moius Is in the form Of supple;
mental convention to the treaty Of arbitsr
ton recently negotiated and ratified. Il
says that both Governments will prohibft
during the sealing season the killing Of seal
in that part Of the Bering Sea lying
eastward Of the line Of demarcation
described in article No. OF the treaty
of 1867 between the United States
and Russia and each Government viii
enioin its citizens and vessels to an; obeer.
vance of this agreement. The United
States it is understoo is allowed to kiit
for the subsistence OF the natives on TIM
islands of st. Paul and st. George 1900
seals, the same restriction as was made last
year, and the United States binds itself TO,
observe this Prohibition.
The vessels Of either the United States or
Great Breatian, or citizens OF either coun-
try, offending against this agreement may
be seized by either OF the high contracting
parties, but as soon as practicable should be
handed over to the authorities Of the nation
to which they belong, who shall have sole
jurisdiction to try the offence and impose;
the penalties for the same.
In general 1t may be said that the docu-
ment is renewsl OF the agreement Of 1891,
with the addition Of a clause providing for
the settlement Of damages sustained by the
Canadian sealers through the interruptiou!
Of their business in case the arbitr alton goees
against the United States. Under this
clause. owners Of Canadian sealing
vessels have already begun 70 ale
their claims with commission apr
pointed to receive and present them. But
General Foster, the agent Of the United
States, who is preparing the case Tor this
Government and the Hon e. g. Phelps coun.i
sci, arc leaving no point uncovered. and
will be fully prepared TO meet the claims on
this score. in the event that they shall eyar.
be pressed for payment.
The British Prime Minister has sought al
along to reduce the liability Of his Govern
inent practically to q nuliity, by insisting
that Great Britain can acknowledge non
sponsibihty for the injuries to seal Life dous
by Canadian poachers, and must b.
charged with such damages only 81
have resulted directly from Gorvans
ment action Mr. Blaine, it is understo0d
has endeavored in framing the new a2ree-
ment to obtain from Great Britain moro
general acknowledgment Of liability along!
the lines laid down in last summers CORE
spondence, and 1t is said that, In the terms
agreed on, he has maintained the contentious
or the United States with creditable success
The Senate discussed the modus viyendt
briefly in executive session and then referred
it, according to usage. to the apprcprste
committec-that on Foreign Relations.