The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-08-30
THE BERING SEA VERDICT
TECHNICAL POINTS DECIDED
INFAVOR OF ENGLAND.

The Tribunal OF ArbitratOrS Render
Their Decision In Paris-A Great
4, Point Won for America-Its Con-
tention That the Seals Have
Proper Protection Sustained.
The Bering Sea Tribunal OF Arbitration
rendered its decision. after deliberation at
Paris extending nearly over five months.
The decision was adverse to the claims oil
the United States on every point; but by the
adoption Of regulations as to seal 1shing by
vessels Of the United States and Great Brit.
ain. the United States gain the point for
which they have striven In diplomatic cor.
respondence for many years, namely,
the actual preservation OF the seals.
They gain this point most emphati-
cally. Not only Is pelagic sealing .prohib-
tied within sixty miles OF the Pr1bylov Isl
ands at all times, but practically 1t is only
permitted to the citizens Of the United states
and Great Britain in the Bering Sea or North
Pacific Ocean for one month each year, the
month OF August. It is always Improbable
after that month. Moreover, the use OF fire.
arms In the capture OF seals Is absolutely pro-
hibited In the Bering Sea. Shotguns may be
used In the Pacific outside the limit only In
the months when pelagic sealing is to be
permitted. This means in other words that
all profitable pelsgic sealing ia stopped
henceforth, for only by the use OF firearms
in the months OF May, June, July and
August are seals captured. 1t will be lawful
hereafter to use shotguns In their capture
only In the North Pacific Ocean sixty miles
from land and only after July 81 OF each
year.
The arbitrators decide that the Bering Sea
is an open sea, and that the United States
did not purchase this sea when ALASKA was
purchased. They decide that Russia did not
claim exclusive jurisdiction, and thst Great
Britain never recognized it. They also decide
that the United States have no property right
In the seals outsidethe usual three-mile Limit,
Lgainst the assertion which the American
counsel made and argued strenuously for
several days. But, by the adoption OF the
regulations, they practically concede to the
United States some control, for the seals
may not be killed outside the new sixty
mile limit from May to July 81; nor at any
time may they be killed within sixty miles OF
the Pribylov Islands. ....:..
The question of reparation for the seizures
and confiscstions by the United Suites, as
we'll as the damages for the close season, has
not been fixed. When it Is determined, the
treaty Of arbitration says 1t must be paid
promptly.
The agents Of the United States think
they really have won the victory:
In the proceedings OF the arbitration tribunal
the counsel for the United STATES made no
serious attempt to argue that the Bering Sea
is q closed one. It is significant, in consid-
erine the fairness of the decision. that the
two English, as well as the two American ar
bitrators, we're on opposite sides OF the case
In some Of the points OF the decision.
The American arbitrators believe that the
regulations decided by the tribunal mean
practically the end of pelagio sealing, and
that they are better terms than were Eeretce
fore offered to the United States by Crest
Britain as settlement of the questions In
volved.
All the Englishmen connected with tne t:r-
bunal are exceedingly reticent with thei:
are disappointed because 1t was no. more un-
favorable to the United States.
The arbitrators made special flndinS
on the facts agreed upon by the agents
of both Governments with reference
TO the seizure OF British vessels In
Berino Sea In 1887 and 1889. In addi-
tion the arbitrators make certain sugges-
tions to the two Governments, the most
important being that they should come to an
understanding to prohibitthe killing OF seals
on land or sea for period OF from one to
three years, and should enact regulat1onsto TO
carry out the findings oithe arbitrators.
In an interview the Hon. John W. Foster
American agent to the Berlng Sea Tribunal
Of Arbitration, said that he thought that the
restrictions would render the pelagic indus
try improbable. The provision for close
season will not only prevent pelagic hunting
during three out OF the four months when II
can be said to be very profitable, but 1t will
hraak the sealing season.
The two forces Of ssalers must suspend op-
erations during the best part OF the summer
It leaves the right to hunt seals In the North
Pacific from January to May. The weather
during gthree-fourths of that period Is very un'
favorable, and the catches then made are 81,
ways small. It also leaves the right to nun,
seals in part OF Bering Sea after July, which
means for period Of bouttwenty-five days
after the expiration Of which rough weath
er compels the hunters to leave.
The decision in tie Bering Sea arbitration
was subject Of much interest at Wasnlng'
ton, and while various opinions. are e1'
pressed by people who have given tne
matter casual attention, those best posteo
in regard toit feel that the United state;
has gained a victory in the sabstantia
elements of the case.