The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-04-28
THE BERING SEA.
History of the Body of Water Which Is
Giving Some Trouble.

Giving Some Trouble.
The sea of Kamehatka was discovered in
the year 1925 by Vitus Bering. Yitus
Boring was a Russian subject sailing under
the Russian flag. From the date of that
discovery until the purchase OF Alaska IN
1867 Russia held undisputed sway over the
sea. whose name had been changed to
Boring in honor of it's discoveter.
In 1745 the Aleutian islands were dis
covered, and in 176S, ths interests Of the
Russians becoming more fully awakened,
the fea, it's islands and coast wore explored
by order of Queen Cathariae of Russia.
In 1850 the Pribylov islands were found.
They were desolate and uninhabited; but
the government, finding them to be the
great assembly ground Of the fur seals,
transferred Alsuts from their native
islands. After a time they became con-
tented and sattlod on the fog-dimmed
Pribylovs; afterward nothing could induce
them TO forsake sheir adopted home.
Having found otter, seal and other valu-
able ANIMALS within the liraits of its terri
tory, Russian protection was extended, and
as early as the year 1864 the right to trade
with the Islands was granted to nsrchants
by Russia. the goyarnmentalways requiring
a Percentage of the gains. From 1926 to
1867, q period of l42 ysara, Russian mon
archs held as absolote sway over Berlng
sea as over any other pat of their domain.
If individual or company desired to trade
within its boundary the permission came
from the car, with rules and stlpulatlons
to which they were com PEELED to adhere.
In the treaty of c%esslon, the western
limit of Russian America, or Alaska, Ia as
positively stated as the eastern limit, VIZ:
~ he western limit within which the terri
tories and donainions conveyed the cou-
tanned passes through a point IN Bering
straits on h e<rarallel of SIS degrees 30 min
vitae :, crtb At ita 1rt araprtjnu hv thu IIari6ian
which passes midway between the Islands
of Kfusenstern or Inpalook, and the island
of Ratmanof, or Noonarboak, and p o.
ceeds due north without limitation into
the same frozen ocean.
1.-THE same western limit, beginning al
the same initial point. proceeds thence in q
course nearly southwest, through Boring
strait and Bering sea SO as to pasz midway
between the northwest point of the islant
of st. Lawrence and the southeast point o
Cape Choukotski. to the merriam of II:
west; thence from the intersA ctlon OF tina
meridian in a southwesterly direction, so a
to pass midway between the island of Attol
and the copper island of tho K~ormAndorAk
eouplet or group in the north Pacific ocean
to the meridian of 1913 degrees west, SO 10 I
include in the territory conveyed the Who'll
of the Aleutian islands east Of the meridian.
Thus it will be seen tnat BE ing sea ]
recognized as n part of the territory divide
between Russia and the United States. n
other county has claimed ixlunds or othe
possessieus within its limits. and its tepo
Rraphy makes it impossible that it shout
be claimed as an open highway. Befin
strait is q passage between Siberia All
Alaska, and beyond that is the Arctic ocea
and Inexplored regions. 1t ia, therefore
practically an inland sea subject to the do
minion OF nations bordering upon II
waters. And heie the question strikes on
rather fofcibly, if tke United States sids q
the sea IS free foraginR ground, why is nc
the Russian portion equally free?
If the sea was KussIa's to give, then tt
portion sold il as truly tho property Of I'll
purchaser as it was her own previous to I'll
negotiation. If the Alaska aide was n,
legally hers, neither is the remainder, an
therefore poRchers have the same right /
all parts: they arc no longer poachers, an
are amenable to no law for taking publ
property. But Russia is ready to prote
her rights, and no nssion has lbs teneri
to dispute them. TIL Unitsd States b
been SO sure Of a just appreciation of h
claims that she has made no provision I
their Observation-Disclosures Star.