Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1893-06-02
Fhe, seal Controversy

The long anil animated controversy
Between the English government and
this country over the right to capture
Behring sea seals is speedily drawing to
close After a long discussion be-
tween the diplomats Of tie two countries
as to the respective rights Of each, aud
no settlement rca-hed,- the matter
was referred to arbitrators, AMI that
tribunal has been setting in judgment
on the question for shc past two months,
It's labors have about concluded, and its
decision. it is expected, will be forth
coming in few days.
Great Britain was represented before
the Arbitraiiug BOaSl BY Lords Russell
and Churclhill, and the United States
by Messrs Carter and Phelps.
The strongest contention made by the
British government, was that seals were
animals Of free nature and belonged to
the first capturer. The position was in
the line of that taken by Lord Salisbury.
in bis correspondence with Mr. Blaine
- this subject, and was maintained with
al possible vigor by the English coun
eel. The counsel for this country con-
,rovcrted the proposition in strong aud
mastery arguments, which ought to sat
isfy any reasonable mind that the claim
Of England by the rulings Of lbs own
ccur. is without any foundation in fact.
II vas shown that the English oo1rs
have for time immemorial recogzizca
this right Of property in animals fsrac
mutaue and 70 hold coatrary opinion
as to sesls would be to uproot long
established pr.ctice of English juris
prudence. 1t was shown that the
English courts have decided in cases oil
deer that they belong to the pur-
sser FROM the moment the chase begins
Il matters not upon whose land the an
imals are captured; it was shown als'
that the English courts have irmly sus
tanned the doctrine of anineus reper
tsndi. aud in cases Of falcous, o;he
birds and bees who leave home to feed
In word, the English courts have re
oognized and maintained the doctrin,
that an animal fcpae aatarae Is tn
property of the person upon who's
premises it makes it home Applying
this doctrine to the seal controversy an,
how does the matter stand
The Behring sea seals are dolnicilei
IN the waters of that sea and remall
there the major portion of the year
After the breeding season they 60 il
schools for short while out into tn
ocean to feed, and return According t
the English doctrine as these animal
make their home in the sisters Of TIL
country and only 60 out temporarily t
fed, and then, too net i,to the water
Of any other country, but m waters com
mon to. the use Of all nations, where he
he foundation -Gs s,4sggAns,,lis eiarn--
The contention Of Great Britain seem
80 satisfactorily answered. by its owl
law, it can hardly be imagined that tn
Board Of krbitrators will fGd nacl
trouble in arriving at conclusion.
Comment. both in Engl4nd and thi
country, has been most favorable an
highly complimentary Of the ability dis
played, tact pursued aud The fidelity an
zeal which characterized the cgor,
Of this country in presenting aud main
tanning the position of this goverunlen
in the important controversy. Il is t
be hoped now the seal difficulty bcin,
shout settled that peace will again reigl
supreme between England aud this coun
try, not to be again disturbed for man.
years to come.