The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-06-24
onEAr BRrrAIs's EyAsIoNs.
She Does Not Meet the Direct Issue Before
the Arbifrafors.

PARIS. June 23-A large number OF
visitors were present yesterday at the
session Of the Bchring Sea Tribunal Of
Arbitration. Among those who listened
20 the proceedings was the Hon. James
y Eustis. American Ambassador to
France
The Hon. i. J. Phelps Of counsel Tor
the United States opened his argument
An behalf Of tho contention OF The United
States. He said that the case presenter
only two main QuestiOns-Have the cana
0ians and the renegade Americans, VINO
seek the shelter OF the British Tag in
order 10 defy the laws Of their own
country the right - continue destroying
the seal species? And il so. what resu-
laflors are necessary 20 prevent the cX-
termination Of the seals2 Other questions
might be involved. but they were merely
incidental
America. he adds. claims that the indis-
crlminate destruction Of the seals, includ-
in. the sla-.,hter Of grayid animals pro-
ceeding toward the Pribi0n Islands. the
herGIng grounds. and of mothers seeking
food at sea. is inhuman, barbarOus. ana
a violation OF the Laws OF all civilized
nations for the protection Of wild ami
mails in their breeding season. such
result in extinguishing a valuable indus
- established for nearly a century by
Russia and maintained 10y America since
the ccssi0n Of Alaska % the United States
by the Russian Government.
The British claimed the right 10 eXter-
INMATE the species for the sake Of
small temporary profit. They did not
meet the question as 10 whether
the right exists but exhausted the re-
sources Of the ablest advocacy TO eVaGe
it. The British counsel approached tho
question I'm every direction except the
straightforward one. They pretended %
inquire whether the United States were
justified i'm Selling British vessels en-
gagged in pelagic seal hunting. MI Phelps
declared that there was no such question
before the tribunal. The arbitratOrs were
not concerned in the question OF past
seizures, except as 20 the finding Of the
necessary facts ON which TO base future
negotiations Counsel having agreed upon
the facts. the tribunal ought % dismiss
the matter Of seizures.
After remarking that the British asser-
ton that the United states wished 70 de-
clare Behring Sea q mare clausum was
untrue. Mr. Phelps said that the seizures
Of pelagic sealing vessels We're effected
under the American claim 20 the right TO
protect the seals. The United states Gov
eminent had next endcavOred 10 obtain a
convention which. waving rights. would
preserve the seals. The convention was
only defeated Toy Canada's Interference
on the ground that protection was need
less after an agreement respecting a
close season had failed.
Throughout the negotiations Mr. Phelps
further said. Great Britain had never de-
Tended peiagic sealing. but while denying
Americans the right 10 protect Thorn
selves against the British, Lord Salisbury
had professed readiness 10 accept all
regulations necessary 20 nrcscfve the
seals, proposing the appointment Of a
joint commission 10 this end Now Great
Britain had yeered around after the arbl-
tration treaty had been concluded. and
based her case upon an elaborate de-
tense Of pelaeic sealing insisting that no
regulations would Toe acceptable 10 her
which were inconsistent with the prospcri-
| ~ Of the peiaeic hunters.
/ Mr.. Phelps then began a criticism of Sir
! Charles Russelrs arguments on interna-
fiOual law