Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-08-24

Now that we know what the Behrlng
Sea Board of Arbitration has allotted
us, it is instructive to go back few
years and consider what terms we might
have obtained through diplomatic nego-
ton, without the trouble, expense and
damage that have interviewed, had not
political jealousy interfered with the
negotiations set on foot and carried so
nearly to conclusion by Secretary
Bayard during the former Cleveland ad-
ministraton,
About the middle of August, 1887,
Secretary Bayard addressed to the min
listers of the United States to Great
Britain, Russia, Sweden and Norway,
japan, France and Germany, the fol-
lowing letter of instruction:
SIR: Recent occurrences have drawn the
attention of this department to the neces-
sity of taking steps for the better pro-
lection of the fur-seal fisheries in Behring
Sea-
Without raising any question as to the
exceptional measures which the peculiar
character of the property in question might
justify this government in taking, and
without reference to any exceptional ma
claimed for that end, it is deemed ad
visable-and am instructed by the Presi-
dent so to inform you--to attain the de-
sired ends by International cooperation.
1t is we'll known that unprotected and
indiscriminate killing Of seals in many
parts of the world has driven them from
place to place, and, by breaking up their
habitual resorts, has greatly reduced their
number.
Under these circumstances, and in view
of the common interest of all nations in
preventing the indiscriminate destruction
and consequent determination of an ami
NAL which contributes so importantly to
the commercial wealth and general use of
mankind, you are hereby instructed to
draw the attention of the government to
which Won are accredited to the subject,
and to invite it to enter into such an ar.
rangement with the government of the
United States as will prevent the ciuzens
of either country from killing seal in
Behring Sea at such times and places, and
by such methods as at present are pursued
and which threaten the speedy extermina-
ton of those animals and consequent seri-
Gus loss to mankind.
Favorable responses soon began to
come in from thegovernments addressed.
On October 22d, Minister McLane noti-
fed Mr.. Bayard Of the willingness of
the French republic to consider
fayorably any project Of international
agreement he might be disposed to
submit.
On November 18th, Minister Phelps
wrote from London that he had, in an
interview with Lord Salisbury, sub
mitted the proposition, and that "his
lordship promptly acquiesced in this
proposal on the part of Great Britain
and suggested that should obtain from
my government and submit to him a
sketch Of a system of regulations which
would be adequate for the purpose"
On October 18th favorable response
was received from Japan, and few
days later request from that govern,
ment that the arrangement be extended
SO as TO apply to the sea otter and to en-.
large the protected zone SO as to take in
the habitat of that animal.
On November 25th, M. de Giers, Rus.
sian minister of foreign affairs, wrote or
behalf of his government: ave concul
entirely in the views Of the government
of the United States. Like it, we also
have been for a long time considering
what means can be taken to remedy
state Of things which is prejudicial no
only to commerce and revenue, bu
which will not long delay to work disas
trous results, not only to he well-bein,
but even to the existence of our peopl
in the extreme northeast. The estab
lishment Of reasonable rule, and of
lawful system in the use of the resource
which furnish their only industry, is fo
these people of vital importance. Tn
pressing interest which the imperia
government has been thus called to con
slider had already suggested to it tn
idea of an international agreement b
which this interest might find its mos
efficient protection. 1t is by this wa
that the different questions involved CA
be best resolved, and among which ther
exists, in our opinion, a close connec
tion."
Upon this most encouraging receptio
by the powers most Immediately intel
ested-Great Britain, with her Canada
interests and her stake in the preservl
ton of an industry which furnishes en-
ployment to 10000 operatives i
London; Russia, with her seal islands i
the western part of Behring Sea and j
the Sea OF Okhotsk; Japan, with til
Kurile Islands, resorted to by the fl
seal and the sea otter-Mr. Bayard, Q
February 18th, 1888, submitted, throug
Mr.. Phelps to Lord Salisbury, mo-
definite proposition, as follows:
The only way of obviating the lament
Bile result above predicted (the speedy e,
termination OF the fur seal) appears to
by the United States, Great Britain al
other interested powers taking concert,
action to prevent their citizens or subiec
from killing fur seals with firearms,
other destructive weapons, north of SOC
uorth latitude and between 1909 of long
tude west and 17Oe of longitude east fro
Greenwich, during the period intervenir
between April 10th and November LIST. I
prevent the killing within amarine belt
40 or 80 miles from the islands during tn
period would be Intellectual as preserv
tive measure. This would clearly be
during the approach of the seals to Il
islands. And after their arrival thei
such limit of protection would also
insufficient, since the rapid progress of ii
seals through the water enables them
go great distances from the islands in
short time that II has been calcuIat
that an ordinary seal could go to the Ale
ton Islands and back, in all distance
800 or 400 miles, in less than two days.
On February 25th Minister PhelT
who had already communicated wi