The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1893-08-16
TIE Behring Sea Court Render
Their Decision.
SPECIAL FINDINGS MADE.
The Decision Appears to Be Against
the United States.
A Number of Suggestions Made Regard
ing an Understanding to Prohibit
the Killing of Seals on Land
or Sea for Three Years.

PARIS, aug l0.-lQe benrlDR sea ar
met this morning, and President
Baron De Courcel delivered copies of the
decision Afterward he addressed the
saying he recognized the
great value of arbitration as cause OF
peace between nations. He expressed the
opinion that every international arbitra-
ton rendered war less probable, and said
he looked forward to the time in the near
future when it would be the rule and not
the exception to settle international diff
ferences in this way.
Senator Morgan, one of the American
arbitrators, and Lord Hammer, one of the
British, responded reciprocating the
Baron's sentiment and recognizing the
hospitality rendered by France. The
session then terminated amid mutual
congratulations and expressions OF good
feeling.
The award decides that by the ukase of
1921 Russia claimed jurisdiction IN the
Behring sea to the extent OF 100 ltallan
miles from the coasts and islands
belonging TO her but in the course
the conclusion of the treaty of 1924
with the United States, and 1925 with
Great Britain, Russia admitted her juris-
dietion should be restricted to. reach a
cannon shot from shore. From that time
up to the cession of Alaska to the United
States Russia never asserted in fact or
exercised any exclusive jurisdiction IN the
Behring sea, or any exclusive rights to
seal fisheries beyond the ordinary limit
of territorial waters.
On the second point it is decided that
the body OF water now known as Behring
sea was included in the phrase Pacific
Ocean' in the treaty of 1925 between
Great Britain and Russia.
On the fourth point it is decided that
all rights of Russia to jurisdiction and to
seal fisheries passed to the United States,
limited by the cessiou.
Concerning the fifth point on which
Speciai stress has been placed by the
United States commissioners, the trlbu-
nal decided that the United States had no
right to the protection of or property in
seals frequenting the islands of the
United States in the Behring sea, when
found outside the ordinary three mile
limit.
The following regulations were adopted
by a majority of the arbitrators, Mr..
Harlan and Sir John Thompson dissent
ing. Article one provides that the United
States and Great Britain shall forbid
their citizens and subjects hunting fur
seals within zone of sixty geographical
miles around Pribyloff islands.
Article TWO provides that there shall be
a. close season from May to July 81 in
that part of the Pacific ocean inclusive Of
the Behring sea north to the 35th degree
north latitude or eastward of so de2ree
longitude, until the water boundary de-
scribed in article of the treaty of 1857
between the United States and Russia, is
reached along that line to the Behring
straits.
Article three provides that during the
OPEN season only sailing vessels shall be
permitted to carry on fur sealing opera
tons.
Article four provides that such vessels
shall be required to be provided with q
special license issued by its government
and to carry distinguishing flag
Article five requires the master of sail
ing vessels to keep a log book OF their
operations.
Article 6-The use OF nets, firearms or
explosives is forbidden in fur sealing.
This restriction does not apply to shot
guns when such are used in fishing ont
side of the sea during the season when
such may lawfully be carried on.
Article THE two governments shall
take measures to control the fitness OF
the men authorized to engage in sealing.
These men shall have been proved fit to
handle with sufficient skill the weapons
with which seal fishing is carried on.
| Article S-The proceeding regulations
shall not apply to Indians dwelling on che
coast of the territories of the United States
or great Britain carrying on fur sealing
| in canoes. or unlocked boats, not trans
ported by or used in connection with
other vessels, and propelled wholly by
paddles, oars or sails, and manned by nc
more than five persons in the manner
hitherto praeticed by Indians provided
ouch InGians are not employed Dy
| other persons, and provided when
| so hunting in canoes or I'M
decked boats the Indians shall not
hunt for seals outside of territorial waters
under contract to deliver skins to any
| body This exemption not to be con-
strued to effect the municipal law O.
either country, nor shall it extend to the
waters of the Behring sea or waters
around the Aieutian islands. Nothing
herein contained is intended to interfere
with the employment of Indians as hun
| tiers or otherwise, in connection with seal
| ing vessels as heretofore.
! Article = Concurrent regulations
hereby determined with view to the
protection and preservation of fur seals
| shall remain in force until wholly or il
| part abolished by common agreement
| between the United States and Grea
Britain. Said concurrent regulations tt
| be submitted every five years to new eX
animation, in order TO enable both gov
ernments to consider whether, in thu
light OF past experience, there is occasion
to make special finding or to make an,
modification therein.
The arbitrator make special finding OIL
the facts agreed upon by agents of boil
governments with reference to the seizure
of British vessels in the Behring sea il
1887 and 1889. In addition, the arbitra
tors make certain suggestions to the tw'
governments, the most important being
that they should come to an understand
ing ta prohibit the killing of seals on Ian,
or sea for period of from one to thre
years, and should enact regulations t
carry out the findings of the arbitrators.
THE STATE DEPARTMENT.