The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1893-08-25
BEHRING SEA DECISION.

BEHRING SEA DECISION.
THE ARB1rRAToRs SATISFY ALL PARTIES
BUT CANADA.
Baron de Courcel, president of the
Behring Sea Arbitration, delivered
copies of the arbitrators' decision in
Paris on the 18th inst. Afterward
he addressed the arbitrators, saying
that he recognized the great value
of arbitration as means Of peace
between nations. He expressed the
opinion that every international
arbitration rendered war less proba-
BILE, and said he looked forward to
the time in the near future when it
would be the rule and not the ex-
ception to settle international con-
ferences in this way.
Senator Morgan Of the United
States and Lord Hannen, one of the
British arbitrators, responded, reci-
procating the baron's sentiments
and recognizing the hospitality rem
dered by France. The session then
terminated amid mutual congratula-
tions and expressions Of good feel
ing.
The award contains the following
findings: Cd Russia, since her treaty
of 1924 with the United States and
that of 1925 with Great Britain,
never asserted any exclusive juris-
diction in Behring Sea; (2) the body
of water now known as Behring Sea
was included in the phrase, 1.-The
Pacific Ocean," in the treaty of 1926
between Great Britain and Russia;
(3) all rights of Russia to jurisdic-
ton and the seal fisheries passed to
the United States with Alaska,
limited by the cession; (4) the
United States has no right to the
protection of or property in seals
frequenting the islands of the United
States in the Behring Sea when
found outside of the ordinary three
mile limit.
Regulations were adopted by the
majority of the arbitrators, Justice
Harlan of the United States and Sir
John Thompson of Canada dissent
ing. They provide in brief as fol-
lows:
|. The United States and Great
Britain shall forbid their citizens
and subjects hunting for seals with
in zone of sixty miles around the
Pribylov islands.
2. There shall be close season
from May 1st to July 31st in that
part of the Pacific ocean, inclusive
of the Behring Sea, north of the
thirty-tifth degree north latitude or
eastward of the 18Oth degree longi-
tude, until the water boundary des-
cribed in Article ! of the treaty Of
1867 between the United States and
Russia is reached, and along that
line to Behrng straits.
3. During the open season only
sailing vessels shall be permitted to
carry on fur sealing operations.
/ 4. Such vessels shall be required
to be provided with special license
issued by its Government and to
carry distinguishing flag.
5. Requires the masters of sailing
vessels to keep log-book Of their
operations.
6. The use Of nets, firearms or ex-
plosives is forbidden in fur sealing.
This restriction does not apply to
shotguns, when they are used in fish
ing outside of Behring Sea during
the season when such may lawfully
be carried on.
/ T. The two governments shall take
measures to control the fitness OF
the men authorized to engage ia
sealing.
8. Preceding regulations shall not
apply to Indians in canoes or un.
decked boats, manned by not more
than five persons, provided that such
Indians are not employed by other
persons and shall not hunt outside
ritorial waters under contract tC
deliver their skins to anybody. Thi.
regulation is not to affect the
municipal laws of either country
nor forbid the employment Of In
dians by sealing vessels as hereto
fore.
8. These regulations shall remain
in force until changed or abolished
by mutual agreement between the
United States and Great Britain
They shall be submitted to a new
examination every five years, to en-
able both governments to consider
whether, in light of past experience
there is occasion to make any modi
fication therein.
The arbitrators will make specia
finding on facts, as agreed by the
agents OF both governments, witt
reference to the seizure of British
vessels in Behring sea in 1887 anC
1889 In addition the arbitrator,
make certain suggestions to the tw,
governments, the most important
being that they should come to al
understanding to prohibit the kill
ing OF seals on land or sea for |
period Of from one to three years
and should euact regulations tc
carry out the findings Of the arbi
traitors.
The American arbitrators have ex
pressed their satisfaction with the
text si the decision.