The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-04-24
the NEW MODUs AND THE oLD.
The Lated Compact About the Seals and
the Treaty or ARBITRATION.

1
The Lated Compact About the Seals and
the Treaty OF Arbitrstios.
WASHINGTON. April 23.-The prompt ratiflca-
tion Of the new Behring Sea agreement now
permits some forecast OF its probable opera
tion. 1t differs in two respects only from the
| compact OF 1901. Instead OF holding good Tor
\ year. 1t is to last throughout tho arbitration
| OF the main questions. and cannot DO set
aside by either OF the contracting parties until
after Oct. 81. 1893. when two months notice
OF withdrawal would DO sufficient for that pur-
pose. The other point OF difference Is its pro-
vision for an award Of damages to be made by
tho arbitrators. either to the United States or
to British sealers. for losses pending the arbi-
tration. according as the decision may be for
one sido or the other.
The first point to note Is that during one
moro season certainly and two moro seasons
probably. making three in all. private sealing
In BehrinG Sea will be stopped. This must
benefit the United States whatever the result
OF the arbitration. First, 1t will release
large part OF tho naval force tsas might
otherwise have been assembled and main
tained at much expense. as support Tor the
rovenuo cutters. Tho Yorktown. the Adams.
and the Ranger will be sufficient for helping
the Treasury vessels. And another and far
more important gain Is the recuperative in
terval to be given to tho seals The Govern
ment experts urged that no killing Of the
animals should be pernitted for several years
either at the Pribylov Islands or elsewhere on
our side OF Behring Sea. and that to secure
this result ought to be the first and chief aim.
1t has in fact now been secured tho exception
Of 1900 seals taken on the islands annually
being Of minor Importance and subject to tho
pleasure OF tho United States. There is official
Testimony mt In Of ba n r.
tial exemption from slaughter were distinctly
visible at tho end Of the season in an increase
OF tho number Of the herd. Add two seasons
OF complete immunity from pelagic sealing.
and tho value OF the annual seal catch Of the
islands must be greatly increased.
Article V. in the now agreement also con-
tains n point important to tho future OF the
seal industry in these waters The basis OF an
award Of damages to British sealers. IL made.
is not to be the number Of seals that are ha-
bitualy taken. or might presumably be taken.
In Behring Sea. In u season when the mod,ts
rirend is not in operation. It depends pri-
favor OF the United states. everything goes.
ton OF the closed sea, the basis Of damages is
distinctly to he such q regulated and limited
Vi %thout an
undue diminution Of tho seal herds"
Here is 2 most importaMnt clause. with two
iatsa and iimited eaten. Whereas it is noteri-
been nnrecalated and Unlimited. They are to
United States Ct ali, only On the baSls Of such
them to determine. Next this catch Is to be
only such in the opinion 81 the arbtratSrs
dimnution Of tho sea! herds" But unless
the statistics collected by the United States
reason s Of our ownershp Of the Pribyiov Islands
or as question of expedency for all mankind
does qnduly diminish the seal herds,
BY ses seal h nsFd yis nssa
the Pribylov, Islands. There are Official
figures which show that the measure
IN these herds. less than hsli q doz:n years
to psr6aps to say Eat
harrying Of the animals which in SO short a
time produces results SO disastrous 7, does not
pected of competent and impartial arbiters.
Nor is the case DESTROYED BY showing that a
part of the diminution may have been due to
excessive driving on the islands
The point thus brought out clearly in the
that prnyas to eesrd
and not only rights under, the Russian, eession.
the waters for a long distance around the Pri-
bylov Islands. in consequence Of the habits OF
the seals. II the United States can lawfully
prevent the impairment Of the value OF its
property in the seal rookeries by preventing
the taking Of seals beyond a marine
league thercfrom the treaty may allow the ar
btrators to sustain the rights. But the T,odus
rirend practically condemns undue diminu-
ton" That might. perhaps. result from
n VOL alton Of international expediency. It
may. be. diminuton which should be re-
strained. not because it is against the law
Of nations. but because it Is for the protec-
ton of seal life in the interests Of mankind.
BY ntrod ucing into the case as whole. and
as decisive element. the opinion o. the nrbi-
traitors as to what is an undue diminution.
without any Limitation rs to the ground on
which that opinion is founded. the Ameri-
can side OF the case seems to be more fully
presented than heretofore
1t has been in timated that the delay in draw
ing up the nOtl,ts rirend OF 1892 was princi-
pally caused by care in weighing and wording
Article '; II SO. it was time well spent. and
the speedy ratification which the Senate gave
to the treaty shows that the results Of this
study were appreciated in that body