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


The long ami animated controversy
between the English government and
Ais country over the right to capture
Behring sea seals is speedily drawing to
a close After a long discussion BE-
tween the diplomsts Of the two countries
as to the respective rights of each, and
no settlement rearhed, the matter
was referred to asbitrators, and that
tribunal has been setting III Judgment
On the question for the past two months.
It's labors have about concluded, snd its
decision. it is expected, will be forth
coming in few days.
Great Britain was represented before
the Arbitra,ing Board by Lords Russell
and Churclilill. and the United States
by Messrs Carter and Phelps
The strongest eoa:ention made by the
British government, was that seals were
animals Of free nature and belonged to
the first capturer. The position was ID
the lire Of that taken by Lord Salisbury,
in bis correspondence with Mr.. Blaine
90 this subject, and vas maintained with
81 possible yigor by the English coun
eel. The counsel for this country con-
troverted the proposition in strong aud
mastery arguments, which ought to sat
isfy any reasonable mind that the claim
Of England by the rulings Of It's own
court is without any foundation in flet
It was shown that the English courts
have for time immemorial recognized
this right Of property in animals ti'rae
,,atarus and to hold contrary opinion
as to seals world be to uproOt long
established practice Of English juris
prudence. 1t vas shown that the
English courts have decided in cases Of
deer that they btfopg to the pur-
suer from the moment the chase begins,
il matters not upon whose land the an
imals are captured; it was shown also
that the English courts have i.mly sas.
tanned the doctrine Of saiasas rerer-
tend, and in cases Of faleons, other
birds and bees who leave home to feed
In a word, the English courts have re-
eognized and maintained the doctrine
that an animal firqs aa'urae Is the
property Of the person upon whose
premises it makes it home Applying
this doctrine to the seal controversy and
bow does the matter stand
The Behring sea seals are domiciled
in the waters Of that sea and remain
there the major portion Of the year
Alter the breeding season they 60 ia
schools for a short while our into the
ocean to feed, and return. According 70
the English doctrine as these animals
make their home in the waters q this
country and only g. ost temporarily &c
feed, and then, tce. not late the waters
Ofany other country. but IN va'eFs com
mon to the use Of all nations. where liz
the foundation sf EngIanl's claim. =
The contention Of Great Britain seems
30 satisfactorily answered BY its own
law, it can haF,lly be iuagiaed that 'he
Board Of Arbitrators will find much
trouble in arIi ing at conclusion.
Comment. both in Euglsad and thi-
country, has been most favorable and
highly complimentary Of the abilay dis
played. tact pursued aud he fidelity aus
zeal which characterized tie efforts
Of this country in presenting anil main
tanning the position Of this government
il the important controversy. It is t
be hoped now the seal difficulty being
about settled that peace will again reigr
supreme between England and this coun
try, not to be again disturbed for mani
years to come