The sun., 1892-02-17
TEE BRHRISa SEA DISPUTE
The board OF Arbitration ana the frelias.
nary Work OF the C0mmlssioaerA.

TIE BKHRIEG EEA DISPUTE
The hoard or Arbitration and the Prsiins.
nary Work OF the Commlssioners.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 16-The announcem ent
by authority. In London and Washington. that
France. Italy. and Sweden have been agreed
upon as arbiters In the Behring Sea matter
marks an important step toward the settle
ment OF that dispute. Strictly speaking. these
countries will each name an arbiter. presum-
ably selecting for that purpose an expert in
international law. so that. with Great Britain
and our own country each adding two. Board
OF seven members will be assembled.
The maritime Importance OF France. Italy.
and Sweden leaves nothing to be desired on
that score. while their freedom from particle
patton In the sealing industry OF the North Pa
cihc is perhaps an advantage. It is interest
ing to note that In 1887. when our Government
invited cooperation for tho preservation OF
seal life In Behring Sea. France replied that
although the industry In question has not
been engaged In by French shipowners up to
the present time. the Government OF tho re-
public Is not the less disposed to confer for
that purpose with the Government Of
the United States" Our Minister at
Stockholm sent word that "the royal
Government. having no interest in seal fish
cries. his Majesty thinks there Is no need to
take part In any treaty or agreement in refer.
ence thereto on tho part Of the United King.
doms. He. however. expresses the desire that
mutually beneficial accord may be arrived
at between the interested powers. and that
tho same may be maintained. with reserva-
ton that powers not at present Interested may
Join in such an arrangement in the future II
they desire. At present neither Sweden nor
Norway engages in seal fishing in Behring
Sea or adjacent waters" Italy at that time
japan mot apsS sS f9E
II is evident. therefore. that France. Sweden.
ana ana Italy may enter upon the duty OF arhitra-
eestea that a New World Gevernme ent should
mentione While It was vas Al aso % asserted that 'fts the
undertaHe .t the office Brazil however is fully
While this agreement for tho final settle-
ment ,,E Of the controversy is probably welcome
tention is concentrated not on the arbiters.
but the Commissioners. 1t is to the confer
Powell and DR. Dawson on the part of Great
britain and pro!s.. Mendenhall and Merriam
on the part of til" United States that we are TO
the present year. They Visited Behrns @ sies Sea
last summer in the interest Of their, respee.
pointed. They can throw no light on on
t 81 Of srnHp tf dspSs Ses an Ma n sa
derived from Russia under the treaty Of 1851
That however. is matter which may be left
ton; The case is quite different with the prac-
teal question Of the projection OF seal life
hour is. whethor tho four Commiss issioners now
n session can devise tenn porary provisions for
that purpose which will be acceptable to their
| opsration forthwith.
The removal Of last year's modus vivendi is
unsss oi it shonsi
suit from the present conference. year. or
ss worS
for temporary agroement in the mean time Is
as great now as last year. 1t is hard to believe
entirely opposite conclusions on the funda-
me mental G%'estIon as to whether or not
Ing OF tho seals, is seriously diminishing
the, supply Of the animals. The killing
With in ae BY
and especially during the approach OF tn. ami
as Of Tim mist nS m
Sns sR fsa fnn psass
gard to sex or age. is inevitable. and many seals
that a., are = shot no sink and are not recovered
81 h ss
modification oi the moo ius vvend agrees :e
son: Agent Elliott Shows it Is understooi. % oS"
that the animals have decreased at the Priby-
10y 1sthuuS IIOIll TO 1eWeT Cnnn
1000. 900 within twenty years. and those prop
erly killable to less than one-tenth Since
our country relies chiefly upon the revenue
from these islands to cover the interest
on its purchase of Alaska and tho cost
OF mainta ming that territory, now n source OF
expense. it will undoubtedly try to convince
the arhiters that the practice Of raiding upon
the seal herd. which gives to the Prhyov
group its only value. is unlawful as well as
| aga inst the interests OF gil nations. But the
protection OF the animals In Behring Sea is
not enough. Tho practical question concerns
not more the place of hunting than its time
md method The prohibition needed is against
killing The animals anywhere at certain sea-
son in the open sea. where there can he no dis
crimination. close season agreed upon by
tho Governments could apply as much to the
north Pacific as to BehrnG Sea. and other ma
case ench could enforce its prohibitions upon
its own citizens in any manncrit might choose.
Or il any nation should prefer to entrust the
police duties for this purpose to our country
as the one most Interested. on account OF its
possessions in Bchrins Sea. this respon sibiliiy
would bo accepted.
But the immediate task for the Commissions
ers seems to be to ascertain whether they can
agree In suggesting any modification Of last
years agreement Of these two Governments
for the better protection Of the fur seal. II
they cannot. the sooner they can agree to dif-
fer the better It will bo for all concerned
since prompt notice can he given to the people
Of British Columbia aud our own Pacific coast
of tho renewal Of the moduS yivendi in its