The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1893-03-24

The Behring Sea Commissioners
Meet at Paris.

The Bchring Sea Commissioner
Meet ut Paris.
PARIS. March s4.--Ths international
commission ON the Behring sea compli-
cations, and which will decide the ques-
tions nc issue between the United States
and Great Britain as to the right OF
subjects of the latter nation to catch
and kill seals in the water adjacent to
Alaska. assembled in the main audience
room Of the foreign Office.
The Arbitrators Arrive.
The Rt. Hon. Baron Hammer, lord Of
appeal, and Sir John @. Thompson,
minister Of justice and attorney gen.
eral OF Canada. the two arbitrator on
the part of Great Britain, were the first
to arrive. They were followed soon
after by the following arbitrators:
Supreme Justice Harlan and Senator
John T. Morgan, of Alabama, for
the United States; Judge Hiram,
OF the Christiana supreme court, for
Sweden; Marquis Visconti Venosta,
for Italy, Baron Alfonee de Courcel, for
France. The counsel in the case were
also early upon the scene. They in
cluded ex-Minister e. j. Phelps, Of Yer
mont; Judge Henry w. Blodgett, of
Chicago. and Frederic r. Condert, of
New York, to look after the legal inter-
ests OF the United States. with John w.
Foster, as agent in charge of its case;
and for Great Britain, w. FL. Cross, of
Liverpool. ex-Attorney General Sir
George Baden Powell. and Charles
Robinson, @. c., with Sir Richard
Webster acring in IN advisory capacity.
]. !. Williams was also present In an
advisory capacity for the United States.
M. Du Velle Presides.
By common consent M. Du velie, an
eminent authority on international law,
was selected as presiding chairman.
The opening session was devoted to q
discussion upon the methods Of proceed
ure, 1t wa, agreed that the issues to
be considered should be designated and
closed under these heads:
First-What exclusive rights did Rus
sia enjoy and convey Il the United
States by the cession OF Alaska and the
adjacent Isles?
Second-hpw far were these claims
conceded by Great Britain?
Third-IsB ehring sea included in the
Pacific ocean. and if not. was it within
the jurisdiction of Russia and subjectto
transfer TO the United States?
Fourth--Did Russia's rights, If there
were any, pass unimpaired to the United
States?
Fifth-lfays the United States any
rights in Behring SEA which would pre-
vent the tisising of Bris ish subjects
there?
Wagon Loads or Authorities.
The .ounsel on both sides are well
fortified with documents AMI law books
bearing NJ on the Behring sea Issue in
general. anil international law IN par
ticulsr, three wagons being required to
convey this material to the foreign
Office. The duration OF the sittings OF
the commission Is uncertain. but viii
probably cover several months.
Are Instructed to Agree.
The arbifrators are instructed to
reach an ainicabie settlement of the
questions involved. and there is conse-
quently little possibility Of the confer.
ence ending in smoke. 1t has been
agreed that the claims of the United
States shell be first submitted, after
which the counsel for Great Britain
viii present their case. The arbitratora
will be the recipients Of many dis
tinguished courtesies and attentions
during their stay In the CITY,.