Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-09-30
RUSSIA MAY AID us
Her Seizure of the English
Vessels a Benefit.
HELPS The BERlNG SEA CASES
Rapid Progress OF Preparations for the
Arbitration - Announcement Of
the British Members

WAsHIsGTos, Sept. 29.-Oftieials con-
nected with the preparation OF the
United States before the Bering sea
arbitrators are not little gratfied
over the action OF the Russian author
tiles IN seizing English or Canadian
sealers IN Bering sea. They see that
Russia's course will be of material
assistance in sustaining before the
board of arbitration the claims of the
United States, which are derived from
Russia, through the sale of Alaska.
However greatly 1t may embarrass or
annoy the Canadians. there is no APP
prehenslon here that serious compli-
cations between England and Russia
will ensue.
Basis of American Claims.
1t will be of interest in this connec-
ton, At this time. to briefly recall the
basis of the claims made by the United
States and which are IN question before
the board of arbitration, and which also
according to an inspired dispatch from
Ottawa. the Canadian authorities be-
lieve Russia is lending her aid to estaD-
lish before that body. On the 4th of
September, 1921, his imperial majesty,
Alexander |, sent to the directing agent
of Russia an edict setting forth
that observing from reports sub
mitted to us that the trade of our sub
jects on the Aleutian islands and on
the northwest coast of America. apper-
tanning unto Russia, is subject, because
of secret and Illicit traffic, to oppres-
SION and inpediments; and finding that
the principal cause of these difficulties
Is the want of rules establishing the
boundaries for navigation along these
coaets and the order of naval commun-
ication, as we'll in these places as on
the whole of the eastern coast of Sibe-
ria and the Kurlle islands. We have
deemed 1t necessary to determine these
communications by specific regulations.
List of English Arbitrators.
The arbitrators on the part of Eng.
land have been announced to the de-
partment of state by Mr.. Herbert, Sec
retary of the British legation, in charge
In the absence of Sir Julian Paunce-
forte. They are Baron Hannen, one
of the lords of appeal IN ordinary,
and Sir John G. Thompson, X. c. NJ.
hihActCi VA JdotA|O ohA ottOAhCy
general of Canada. Charles Tupper,
canadian minister of marine and fish
cries, is the agent in charge of that
case of Great Britain before the arbl-
traitors, and the counsel are the attor-
nev general of England, w. II. Gross,
NJ. p, of Liverpool, and c. Robinson
Q. c., of Canada.
Additional Testimony.
There has been secured by Secretary
of State Foster, agent IN charge of the
case of the United States, much testi-
mony which was not available tn the
Bering sea agents Of the two countries
at their session In Washington last
winter, goes to sustain the contention
made by the United States that the
poac hing IN the Bering sea j. respon-
sible for the falling off of the number
of seals. A. Alexander, who visited
the seal islands this summer on the
fish commissioner steamer Albatross,
says: "SeaIs do not breed In the winter
as the Canadians assert, but in the
rookeries, as the American experts
claim. The poachers are responsible
for the fearful falling off in their seal.
ing. Their claim that the seals have
migrated elsewhere wont stand, as the
Corwln, Rush and Albatross have made
careful search for new grounds with
out success"