The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-03-31
THE BEHRING SEA DISPUTE.
Cases and Counter Cases of the United States
and Great Britain.

Cases and Counter Cases of the United States
and Great Britain.
WASHINGTON. March G0.-The cases and
counter cases of the United States and
Great Britain, under the treaty to arbi-
trate the Behring sea difficulties between
the two countries, were simultaneously
sent to the United States Senate to-day
aud to the House of fPsrliament In London.
Briefly stated. the case of the United
States Is that all the rights of Russia. in
respect to the seal fisheries in Behring sea.
east of the water boundary established by
the treaty of March so, 1867. between that
nation and the United States. and
all the power and authority possessed
and asserted by Rnssia to pro-
tect said rights. passed unimpaired ia
the United States under that treaty; that
the United States have such @ property
and interest in the Ala skan seal herd as to
Justify the employment by that nation
upon the high seas OF such means ss ara
reasonably necessary to prevent the de-
struction of such herd and to secure tho
possession and benefit of the same TO the
United States, and that all the acts and
proceedings of the United States done and
had for the purpose OF protecting such
property and interest were justifiable and
stand justified; and that compensation
Great Britain, by the payment of the
amount of the losses of the United States,
Or such other sum as may be deemed to be
just.
The case of Great Britain, on the other
hand, Is that BehrinR sea is an open sea, in
which all nations have the right to fish;
that on the purchase and acquisition OF
Alaska by the United States in the year
1867. the United States were fully aware
and recognized that the rights of other ma
tiona to nayiQate and fsh in the NON terri.
torial waters adjacent to their newly ac-
quired territory exists in their full natur-
al state. umimpaired and unlimited by any
treaty OF bargain whatever; that frotn the
year 1867 down 70 the year 1856 the United
States. while they lawfully and properly
controlled and legislated for the shores
and territorial waters Of their newly ac-
quired territory. did not attem pt to restrict
or interfere with the rights of other nations
to navigate and fish in the n0nterritorial
waters other parts of the Pacific
ocean; that Great Britain has through
out been favorably disposed to the
adoption tof general measures of control
of the fur seal fisheries. should these be
found to be necessary or desirable. with a
view to the protection of the fur seals. pro-
vlded that such measures be equitable and
framed on just grounds of common in
terest. and that the adhesion of other
powers be secured ss a guarantee of this
continued and impartial execution.
In the counter case the counsel for Great
Britain treat the property claim set up by
the United States as irrelevant. Both
parties file claims for damages. the United
States Tor losses TO Its revenue and on ac-
count of the losses TO the Alaskan Com
mercial Company. because of the reduced
number OF skins taken, owing TO the
diminution of the herd by the pelagic seal
ing of British vessels; and Great Britain.
on account of losses TO the owners of the
vessels seized by the United States.