New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-06-04
RUSSIA And THE SEAL.

EnglandS agreement with Russia loOkihs W
the protection of the Russian seal herd during
the present season against the same class Oh
noacher with which the United States has had
SO much trouble is oppoitune evidence OF the
weakness of Great Brtains position IN TINS
whole sealing controversy. The poachers De-
oan TO attack the Russian herd after their
depredations in that part of Behrng sea east
of the Russian American boundary line had
been interfered with by American cruisers
Russia's defensive proceedings were even more
summary and effective than our own. Inc
Russian seal differs materially from the Amer-
can. is not 10 valuable, nor, because It's route
through the sea has not been we'll ascertaned'
is it so easily got at. Poachng adventures
within the jurisdiction claimed by Russia have
not been largely profitable The controversy
between England and Russia has not assumed
an acute phase because Russian interests, beng
secondary to ours, the Cars Foreign once mas
been well content to permit us to hsht inc
question out with England and presumably, 10
share our fate.
II was entirely natural. however, that pend
ing the Paris adjudication Russia should insist
upon receiving for her herd as much protection
as vo had succeeded in obtaining for ours. In
the agreement published yesterday England
conccde, the proprety of this demand and the
reouirement upon which both the United States
and Russia have stood since the controversy
hogan and which was first conceded by Loru
Salisbury, then resisted, conceded again ana
finally eyaded. that there must be such rcgu'
lation of open-sea sealing as will render it prac-
tically harmless and generally Improbable Is
rendered easier of attainment Great Britain
position on the subject of regulation has been
STRANGELY inconsistent. When Mr.. Bayard
sought to determine the controversy once Tor
all BY such an arrangement he found LORD
Salisbury entirely acquicSccnt Inc bri''sh
Premier admitted that pelagc sealing WAS
brutal, wasteful and sure to result in the OK
termination of the herd. lie admitted Eng
lands great financial interest in the mamie
nance of seal life and of the industry dependent
up5n it. He was entirely ready to agree with
America and Russia to sufficient rncme Oh
protection. The negotiation proceeded on this
basis directly to the point OF signing the treaty
but at that point Lord Sa>burys arm wac
held back by Canada Canada demanded tC
he heard FROM and she took good pans 70 de-
Inv the presentation of her case until 1t was
wrung from her.
Later. when Mr. Phelps retired from the
English mission and Sir Julian Pauncefotc
reached Washington as The representative OF
the British Government, the subject OF rcSu-
lation was renewed. Sir Julian, Mr. Blame
and the Russian Minister here were again aDlc
to agree on scheme of protection by inter
national treaty that entirely satisfied the United
States 1t was. moreover. Sir Juli1n Pauncc-
totes own scheme, but again at the moment
when it was about 10 be put into effect Cana
dian nterpositon sunced to withhold Lord
Salisburys approval. England has talked
| loudly as her representatives arc now taking
before the Paris Court Of Arbitration, OF her
entire willingness to agree TO regulations. II
! is not pleasant to call these professions IN
sincere. but certainly they seem 50. IL Eng
land had at any time been honestly DESTROYS
of settling this controversy by an international
agreement it could have been done. What
ever the result of the arbitration, it will be
easier to compel her acquiesccncc now that she
has been brought by both United States and
Russia to concede the necessity OF such al
arrangement by the making OF temporary
treaties. The Russian agreement is further
| useful as an answer to those queer Americans
| who. in urging upon our GOSernmcnt an apah-
donment of its claim of jurisdiction, have con-
stantly alleged that Russia made no such claim
NJ de Giers's representative makes it entirely
clear that the position of his Government Is
identical with that of ours, and he notifies 70
England that the temporary understanding now
arrived at must not be taken to prejudice the
question of the rights of Power to extend it,
territorial jurisdiction in special cases beyond
the waters ordinarily called territorial. lie
says that Russia reserves entire liberty OF
action to prohibit all pelagic sealing or IL
regulate it in the open sea according to hel
own devices. lie says, too, that the present
arrangement must not be looked upon as
precedent. Russia has done well to make thi
agreement. In the event of denial by thu
Court of Arbitration of the American claim o.
exclusive jurisdiction, Russia will necessarll!
be our partner in any plan of regulation which
it may be necessary to impose upon England