The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1893-03-25
SEA TRIBUNAL.
The Arbitrators Now in Session In
the City Of Paris
History of the misunderstanding Which
Led to the Formation of the Commits
sion-The Points to Re Decidcd-
The American Delegates.
Especial Letter.1

Especial letter.
The Behring sea commission, which
assembled in Paris a few days ago, will
go down in history as one OF the great
international tribunals. Several times
it was thought that war must be the
inevitable outcome of the difference OF
opinion existing between the Canadian
and British governments on one side
and the state department at Washing
ton on the other. The friends of arbi-
tration were successful, however, in
having the question at issue referred to
a judicial body or commission whose de-
cision is to be final. The Behring sea
tribunal of arbitration consists of seven
arbitrators or commissioners. Two OF
them were chosen by President Har-
rison in behalf of the United States,
two by Queen Victoria in behalf Of
Great Britain, and the remaining three,
at the request of the powers directly
interested, by the president of France,
the king of Italy and the king of
Sweden and Norway respectively. The
two arbitrators from the United States
are Senator John 7. Morgan, of Ala
bama, who is an authority on interna-
tional law, and Justice John M. Harlan,
of the supreme court Of the United
States. The British commissioners are
Lord Hammer and Sir John Thompson,
minister of justice and attorney general
of Canada. The French representative
is Baron de Courcel, King Humbcrt's is
Marquis Emilio Visconti-Venesta, and
the Swedish delegate is Mr.. Gregers W.
and ". Gram.
Both of the interested governments
are further represented by official
agents and legal counsel. Hon. John
W. Foster, secretary OF state under
President Harrison. will protect the
cause of the United States as govern
mental agent. and Judge Harry W.
Blodgett, of Chicago; Hon. Edward j.
Phelps, OF Vermont, and Mr.. James Z.
Carter, of New York, are acting as legal
advisers. Judge Blodgett is one Of the
ablest ~jurists in the country, and the
fact that he resigned a federal judge
ship to assume the duties of counsel at
Paris leads western people to believe
that the United States has u fair show
of gaining all it asks for. Hon. Ed
ward J. Phelps wa Mr. leveland's min
lister to the court of St. James, and Mr..
Garter is reputed to be an authority on
international law. The American party
is strengthened by the presence of a
paymaster in the person of Maj. Elijah
w. Halford, for four years private Sec
rotary to President Harrison, who will
be the only member of the delegation
with a 'snap."
Tlo D,;+,.I, communication, hoe ~1,onl .tu
case in the hands of Sir Charles Thomp.
son, Canadian minister of marine and
fisheries. This talented gentleman
bears the title of agent. He will be as
sisted by three of the most eminent
British lawyers, Sir. Charles Russell,
Sir. Richard Webster and Mr.. John
Rigby.
Both governments have been busily
engaged in collecting evidence evel
since last May. when the notifications Of
the arbitration treaty were exchanged
The points to be determined by the
commission were discussed in diplomatic
letters of unusual length and finally
stated as follows:
/. WHAT exclusive Jurisdiction, in the Sc;
known as the Behring sea, and what exclusive
IfSIt III iLC oCNl AiohSI III tLSA0iIt a~ 1tAS
assert and exercise prior and up to the time o
the ccssion of Alaska to the United States?
2 How far were these claims of jurisdiction
as to the seal fisheries recognized and conceded
to Great Britain?
3 Was the body Of water known as the Behr
ing sea included in the phrase Pacific ocean,
as used il the treaty of 1875 between Grea
Britain and Russia, and what rights, If any, 1
the Behring sea were held and exclusiVel
exercised by Russia after said treaty?
4 Did not all the rights of Russia as to juris
diction and as to the Sell fisheries in Behrin
sea east of the water boundary in the treaty be
tween the United States and Russia of the BOT
of March, 1867, pass unimpaired to the Unite
States under that treaty,
B Has the United States any right, and, if &c
what right, of protection of property in the flu
seals frequenting the islands of the Unite
States in Behriug sea when such seals al
found outside of the ordinary three-mile limit
The basis of the United States claim
are two provisions in an old Russia