The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1893-08-22
WELL, IT'S SETTLED.
DECISION OF THE ARBITRATORS IN
TIRE BEHRING SEA DISPUTE.
The United States Must Not Claim Seal Found
In Water Beyond the Three Mile Limit.
How Seals Are to be Protected.

aIiS, August lO.-At . OtlOCh luiS
morning the seven Behring sea arbitrators
held private session in Il room used by
officials of the department of foreign af-
fairs at the Quai d'Orsai AT II O'Clock the
arbitrator assembled in the room in the
foreign office in which the public sessions
had been held. Baron de Courcel, the pres
ident of the tribunal, then delivered to
the agents Of the United States and Great
Britain original copies of the decisions sign
ed by all the arbitrators. Meanwhile,
Baron de Courcel addressed the arbitra-
tors, saying that he recognized the great
value of arbitration as Il cause of peace
between nations. He expressed the opln-
ion that every international arbitration
renders war less possible and said he looked
forward to the time in the near future
when it would be the rule and not the
exception to settle international difficulties
in this way.
Senator John Morgan, one of the Ameri-
can arbitrator, and Lord Hammer, one of
the arbitrators appointed by Great Brit
ain, responded to Baron de Courcel, de-
claring that they reciprocated the senti-
ments expressed by him and recognized the
hospitality extended by France to the arbi-
traitors.
The Decision.
The session terminated amid mutual con-
CALCULATIONS and expressions of good feel
ingS After a preamble, stating the case
submitted for decision the full text of the
award, emitting Some legal Verblage, rules
as follows:
we decide and determine as to the five
Daiuts mentioned in article 6. to which
our award is to embrace distinct decision
7Ipon each of them. AS to the first of said
five points we Baron de Courcel. John II.
Harlan. Lord Hammer, Sir John S. d. Thomp-
fic il -
Greg0ro w. W. Gram, being majority of
said arbtrators do decide as follows:
by the ukase of 1921 Russia claimed juris-
Gictioa on the sea known as Behring sea to
the extent of one hundred Italian miles from
the coasts and islands belonging to her, but
sn the course of the negotiations which led
TO the conclusion of the treaty of 1924 with
the United States and the treaty OF 1873 with
Great Britain Russia admitted that her jul
Tisdiction in said sea should be restricted 50
as TO reach a cannon shot from ashore 1t
appears that from that time up to the time of
the cession of Alaska 10 the United States
Russia never asserted in fact exercised
amy exclusive jurisdiction in Behring sea or
any exclusive rights to the seal fishery there
in, beyond the ordinary limit of territorial
waters.
As 10 the second of the five points, the
same arbtrators decide and determine that
Great Britain did not recognize or concede
any claim upon the part of Russia of ex-
elusive jurisdiction as to the seal fisheries
in Behring sea outside the ordinary territorial
waters.
As to the third point to so much thereof
as requires rs to decide whether the body Of
water now known Behr!ng sea was in
cluded in the phrase Pacific ocean,"
used used in the treaty Of 1929 between Great
Britain and Russia. we unanimously decide
that the body of water now known as Bchr-
ing sea was included in the phrase Pacific
ocean, as used in said treaty.
On the fourth point we decide and deter
anime that All the rights of Russia to jurisdic-
ZION and to the seal fisheries passed to the
United states eaS, limited by the, cession.
On the fifth point Justice Harlan and Sen
ator Morgan dissenting, was as follows.
On the fifth point, we, Baron de Cource
LORD Hannah, Sir John $. d. Thompson, Mar
pulls Emeiio Ni6cOnti FenoSta and Gregore
W. W Gram, being the majority Of said ar
bitrators decide and determine that the Unit
'ed Suites has no right to the protection of
or property in the seals fre4ueDting the is
Iands outside of the United States in Eehring
when the same are found outside tie or
binary three mile limit.
and whereas, the aforesaid determination
of the foregoing questions as to the exclu-
sive jurisdiction of the United states Ieavns
the subject in such 4 position that ths cop
currence of 5reat Britain is necessary to 'he
establishment Of regulations for the Sr0per
protection and preservation OF fur seals hao-
itually resorting to Behring sea; we, Baron
de C0urceI, Lord Hammer, Marquis Emilio
NIscCounti Yen0sta and GregOre W. W. Grant
being a majority OF the arbitrators assent to
the whole nine articles OF the regulations As
necessary outside Of the jurisdiction limits
of the respective governments; and thar they
A series of regulations were added by
majority of the arbitrators, Justice Harlan
and Sir John Thompson dissenting. 4 close
season s.4-ainSt killing fur seals is establish
ed from May LIST to July ;}1st on the high sea
in that part Of the Pacific ocean, inclusive
of Behring sea, situated north Of the fourth
degree of north latitude or eastward OF
the 11Sth degree of longitude from Green
witch until it strikes the water boundary
described in article l of the treaty of 1867
bct,yepn the United States and Russia,
following that line up TO Behrlng straits.
The use of sailing vessels only IS permitted
III the capture Of seals. Sealing vessels
are to be licensed and carry distinguish
ing flag. An accurate record OF the catch
is enjoined upon each sealing vessel. The
use Of nets firearms or explosives ls for
hidden in fur sealing. a supervision of
the fitness. of the mcn engaged IT fur seal
ing is enjoincd upon the United States
ana Great Britain. Native Indians are
permitted to catch seals after their aborigi-
nal methods.
These regulations are to remain in force
until abolished by Common consent and
are to be submitted to new examination
every five years. The arbitrators make
a special finding on the facts agreed upon
BY the agents Of both governments with
reference to the seizure of British vessels
In Behrng sea in 1887 and 1889 In addi-
ton the 1rbitTators make certain suggcS-
tons to the two governments, the most
important that they should come to an I'M
Outstanding to prohibit the killing of seals
on land or sea for period Of from one to
three years and should enact regulations
to carry out the finding of the arbitra-
tors.
United States 20 Paw Damages.
London. August 15.-The Pail Mall Ga
zette this afternoon publishes dispatch
from Paris, saying that Oh questions of
fact regarding the seizure of sealing yes
sells. the decision of the tribunal is in favor
of Great Britain.
The paper adds that as natural result
of this decision. the United States will give
Canadian sealrrs due compensation for the
seizure Illegally made.
The regulations providing for a close
season are very stringent The proscrip-
tion of firearms may be found q serious
disadvantage by the Canadian sealers.
Gives General Satisfaction.
Washington. August 15.-The decision of
the court of arbitration i'll the Behring sea
matter appears to give general satisfaction
at the state department and 10 I'll members
of the senate committee on foreign re!a-