The sun., 1892-09-03
RUSSIA AS OUR ALE
The nesrins on she Seal Hunting Co~tre.
vsrsy sf Her Recent Seizures sf nritish
aud AnerlcNn Schoonera In Rahrlns 9sa.

aud American Schooners Ia Rehrl~e Sea.
WASHINGTON. Sept 2.-The CAPTURE and con-
nscation Of several British sealing schooners
and ono American vessel by Russian war
ship has impaired new sensation into the
Bchring Sea dispute.
Up to this time the exact attitude OF Russia
on the question Of jurisdiction over Bohring
Sea beyond the three mile limit has been
largely matter Of conjecture. The old doc-
trine that Behring Sea was u close sea origi-
mated. of course. with her, and there Is no
record OF her formally abandoning II. The
| drawing OF boundary line In the troaty for
the cesson OF Alaska through Behring Sea
may not itsolf imply that Russia undertook to
cede the waters us well as tho land cas-. OF that
line. but at least 1t accords with the theory that
| she still claims dominion over those waters.
But while our revenue cutters and cruisers
kavo for years been ratrolling the entire
eastern part Of Behrinc Sea. and seizng ves-
sells twenty forty. and sixty miles from any
land. Russia has apparently abstained from
exercising corresponding jurisdiction. She
has mado seizures but In nearly or quite
every case up to the present year. they have
been for poaching within the three mile limit
whore hor jurisdiction is unauestioned. Even
the American schooner captured last year and
taken to Fladivostock for condemnation as q
prize. although seized apparently moro than
half n dozen miles from Russian territory.
seems to have been one Of the fleet Of poach-
ers whose crews had actually landed at tho
| Russian rook cries on the Commander Islands,
| md had killed seals thero The bold poachers
exchanged shots with the Russian guards. and
escaped with their wounded in their boats.
When the alarm had boon given. the steamer
at the islands pursued tho poachors to their
rendezvous. which, according to one account,
was about ten miles, from tho islands. and
mi
them. Bat 4 Is clear that this Vas not tn.
case Of canture for sealing carried on long
it is also noticeable that Russia has hitherto
taken no part with the United States In the
land She kas % gvea VI us no rH' support ] IN the alp
lomatic controversy. and 10 not concerned In
s sher s Sa a she sF. Isn SS ssSnSa IN
Of the mqre q E. cteusu, theory while Russia POS:
its @ @ He When she Rs" partod es With @ hsr
ownership tSn Of the eastern shore thus putting
Hss IL s3
now formally backs up BY her exampic the OK
treme Amsrican claim founded on Jurisdiction
or m myhe @ss 9
Islands. and to the protests Of the british and
American Captains that they were In free wa
"a that Russia iar!sdietlon. .eSssndea over
the whole sea west " the treaty ape Should
ing on the island. their pursuit and capture
would bring them under the case of the Amer
mentions no such offence. and it seems probs.
bic that ths case is simply as the released
Befns %s sUs !S NEE
distance from the So "a % isisnds Sad
pressty sought an occasion this year for backing
| W tho United States In its contention with
| AS to the Immediate sequence Of these cap
lures. there can be no doubt Of course: that
Great Hrit4in M VII undertake to protect her
half Of Behrlng, Sea. beyond the marine
league from Russian shores. She will demand
year. just rs she has demand ed ind en- unity from
our Government for vessels seized by our
the eastern half OF Behrine Sea The result
may be a stipulation that Russia will he bound
by shs hs decision Of tho % CSTrt Of Arbitration:
rirepdi agreement.
The american schooner White can. Of
ineton authorities unless unwarranted treat
ment OF her Captain and Grew could be estab-
a dozen arrests and captures have been made
by our Government. and It lies at the basis Of
ess g.a ess %
Ispsrksb re- aRr even In details: Her seal rooke5y
oo
| couplet. Each is the central point OF the rem
dezyous Of the animals on its side Of the sea;
Is very under and
hunting In its imme ediate neiRhborhood. It is
| chiefly, however. Of late years. and mostly
that Russia has been troubled by sealers from
British Columbia The Temporary prohibition
have agreed upon has driven some OF the Vio-
toria vessels to the western side Of the sea,
with view Of protecting her own seal islandA