The record-union., 1893-08-16
special to the REcoRp-UN1ox.

PARIS, Aug. 10.-lne Benrlng sea Ar
bitrators met this morning, and Presi-
dent Baron de Courcelle delivered copies
of the decision. a Afterward he addressed
the arbitrators, saying he recognized the
great value of arbitration as a cause of
peace between nations. He expressed
the opinion that every international arbi
tration 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 interna-
tional differences in this way.
Senator Morgan, one of the American
arbitrators, and Lord Hannen, one of the
British, responded, reciprocating the
Baron's sentiments and recognizing the
hospitality rendered by France.
The session then terminated, amid mu-
tual congratulations and expressions of
good feeling.
The award decides that by the ukase of
1921 Russia claimed jurisdiction in Behr-
ing Sea to the extent of 100 Italian miles
from the coasts and islands belonging to
her, but in the course of the negotiations
which led to the conclusion of the treaty
of 1924 with the United States, and in 1925
with Great Britain, Russia admitted that
her jurisdiction should be restricted to
the reach of 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 ex-
elusive rights to the seal fisheries beyond
the ordinary limit of territorial waters.
On the second point it is decided that
the body ofwater now known as Behring
Sea was included in the phrase Pacific
Ocean" in the treaty of 1926 between
Great Britain and Russia.
On the fourth point it is decided that all
the rights of Russia to jurisdiction in the
seal fisheries passed to the United States,
limited by the cession.
On the fifth point, in which special
stress has been placed by the United
States Commissioners, the tribunal de-
cides that the United States had no right
to the protection of or property in seals
trequenting the islands of the United
States in the Behring Sea when found
outside of the ordinary three-mile limit.
The following regulations were adopted
by the majority of the arbitrators, Mr..
Harlan and Sir John Thompson dissent
ing:
Article 1. provides that the United
States and Great Britain shall forbid their
citizens and subjects hunting fur-seals
within a zone of sixty geographical miles
around the Pribylof Islands.
Article ii. provides that there shall be
a close season from May lst to July 3lst
in that part of the Pacific Ocean, inclusive
of Behring Sea, north of the 35th deg.
1-tgt l.. q
deg. longitude. until the water boundary
described in Article I. of the treaty of
1867 between the United States and Rus
sia is reached, and along that line to
Behring Straits.
Article III. provides that during the
open season only sailing vessels shall be
permitted TO carry on fur sealing opera
lions.
Article ". provides that such vessels
shall be required to be provided with
special license issued by It's Government
and to carry distinguishing flag.
Article V. requires the masters of sail
ing vessels 10 keep a log-book OF their
operations.
Article NI.-The use of nets, firearms
OF explosives is forbidden in fur sealing.
guns, when such are used in fishing out
side of Behring Sea during the season
when such may lawfully be carried on.
Article VII.-The two Governments
shall take measures to control the fitness
of men authorized to engage in sealing.
These men shall have been proved tit to
handle with sufficient skill the weapons
of which seal-fishing is carried on.
Article VIII.-The preceding regula-
tions shall not apply to Indians dwelling
on the coast territories of the United
States or Great Britain carrying on fur
sealing in canoes or unlocked boats not
transported by or used in connection with
other vessels, and propelled wholly by
paddles, oars or sails and manned by no
more than five persons, in the manner
hitherto praeticed by Indians, provided
such Indians are not employed by other
persons, and provided that when so hunt
ing in canoes or undecked boats the In-
dians shall not hunt fur seals outside of
territorial waters under contract to de-
liver the seals to anybody. This exemp-
ton is not to be construed to affect the
municipal laws of either country, nor
shall it extend to the waters OF Behring
Sea or the waters around the AIeutlan
Islands. Nothing herein contained is in
tended to Interfere with the employment
of Indians as hunters or otherwise in con-
nection with sealing vessels as heretofore.
Article IN.-The concurrent regula-
tions hereby determined with a view to
the protection and preservation of fur
seals shall remain III force until wholly
or in part abolished or modified by COM
mon agreement between the United States
and Great Britain. said concurrent regu-
lations to be submitted every five years
to a new examination, in order to enable
both Governments to consider whether in
the light of past experience there is occa-
sion to make any modification therein.
The arbitrators make a special finding on
the facts agreed upon by agents of both
Governments with reference to seizure of
British vessels in Behring Sea in 1887 and
1889.
In addition tho arbitrators make GER
tain suggestions To the two Governments,
the most important being that they should
come to an understanding to prohibit the
killing of seals on land or sea for period
Of from one to three years. and should