Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-08-17
DIVERSITY OF OPINION.
As to Benefits From Beh-
ring Sea Decision.
Mr.. GRESHAM DISSATISFIED


WASHINGTON, Aug. 17.-Opinion In
Washington over the decision of the
Behrlng sea tribunal differs materially
rs to the measure Of the benefits, II any.
derived by the United States from the
regulations established. Naval officers
and others, whose duties have brought
them In contact with the points In con-
troversy, seem to think that the United
States are the real victors 30 far a. the
practical effects Of the decision 90, but
this view is not shared by prominent
members of the diplomatic branch Of the
government.
Secretary Gresham Is said to be any
thing but satisfied with the findings of the
court, and It ia asserted that this dissatis-
faction extends to the regulations. Other
cabinet officers share his views As for
the regulations, they are that the United
States will entail ON them the cost and
worry Of patrolling Behring sea without
benefit to its sealers, while Russia, japan
and perhaps other nations reap a harvest,
the regulations being binding only to
Great Britain and this country. During
the pendency Of the arbitration British
and American warships patrolled the sea
TO prevent sealing and the question
whether the vessels of this country shall
be withdrawn Is being given considers
tion.
sealers All I'm the Dark.
According to the decision of the tribunal
the second sealing season shall begin Aug.
1. Information to this effect cannot reach
the sealers for some weeks yet, and IL Is
not likely that any definite policy respect
ing the guardianship Of the sea will be
outlined until the opening OF the first sea.
son next year, because bad weather will
put an end to the operations Of the sealers
in about two weeks, compelling them to
return south.
Secretary Herbert II authority for the
statement that the decision will hardly
cause reduction In the number OF naval
vessels to be maintained In Behring sea,
and the likelihood of this II shown by q
perusal Of the regulations.
The regulations OF the arbitrators ap-
pended to the Behring sea decision case
are adopted under article z of the treaty of
arbitration. These regulations were based
ON an agreement submitted by q Joint
commission appointed by Great Britain
and the United States.
Matter OF Compensation.
In accordance with article of the con-
vention for the renewal of the modus
vivendi, the decision of the arbitrators
will compel the United States to make
compensation TO Great Britain for the use
OF her subjects) for abstaining from the
capture of seals In Behring sea during the
pendency of the arbitration. 1t will be
seen that this article deals only with dam
ages for the short period during which the
arbitration proceedings were being con-
Quoted, and does not touch the question Of
damages prior to that time.
Article of the treaty proper states that
the high contracting parties find them
selves unable To agree upon reference
which shall include the question Of the
liability Of each for the injuries alleged to
have been sustained by the other" and
accordingly they agreed 'that either
may submit to the arbitrators any Ques-
tion of fact involved In said claims and
ask for finding thereon. the question Of
the liability of either government upon
the facts found to be the subject Of further
negotiation.
Questions of fact, permitted by article
3, were submitted to the tribunal, and the
arbitrators have handed down q special
finding on them with reference to the
seizure of British vessels In Behring sea
in 1887 and 1882 Further information 10
awaited as to the nature Of this finding,
which will probably afford a clue to the
measure of damages likely to be assessed
against the United States.