Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-05-13
RATHER ACRIMONIOUS.
Sir Charles Russell seems to Stir Things
Up-Yesterday's Session.

PARIS, May 12.-Sir Charles Russell
continued his address In behalf OF the
British case before the Bering Sea
Tribunal of Arbitration to-day. Sir
Charles discussed the rights or Russia
in Bering sea under the treaty between
Russia and the United States. Sir
Charles contended the treaties In ques-
tion recognized merely territorial
rights. Sir Charles then went into an
analysis of the American statutes rela-
ting to Bering sea and argued that the
statutes in question were territorial In
question were territorial in their char
acter, and not applicable to foreigners.
Sir Charles Russell next referred to the
forged interpretations in the American
case as originally presented, and argued
that, when the forgerles were extracted
from the case nothing remained OF the
rights claimed to have been derived
from Russia. American Agent John
w. Foster explained that the
contents of the documents were
unknown until the American case
was prepared. As soon as the forgery
was discovered the documents were
withdrawn. Sir Charles Russell replied
that while the documents had been
withdrawn, the formal case depending
on the documents had not been ma
terially changed. The Hon. j. Phelps,
Of American counsel, retorted that the
American case had been restated In the
counter case. The discussion was OF
an acrid character, the proceedings
since Sir Charles Russell began having
been characterized by more heat and
temper than at any time since the open
ing OF the tribunal.
Sir Charles Russell contended that the
American statutes were not intended orig
inally to treat Bering sea as mare etdustInl,
but the American courts so interpreted
them at the instance of the American gov
ernment In proof of this assertion be
cited the copy of brief for the United
States. in which the doctrine OF marc
cla,tsuIn as the only one relied on by their
counsel.
Mr.. Phelps-"We dispute the authentic
ity of that copy"
Sir Charles Russell-"I am prepared
forthwith to submit proof OF its authen-
ticity. If the correctness OF the copy was
really questioned, why was not the orlgl-
nal produced long sinceP
Continuing his argument, Sir Charles
said that the court which condemned yes
sels seized in the Bering Sea sat as mu-
nicipal court interpreting American law,
not as prize court administering inter-
national law. This proved beyond dis
pute that the seizures were made on
the ground that the whole Bering Sea
was portion of the United States.
territory and not on the ground of those
novel principles Of Of international law,
enunciated by United States counsel at the
opening Of the arbitration. In conclusion,
Sir Charles demanded that the tribunal
pronounce illegal the seizures made by the
United States in Bering sea.
Senator Morgan-"If The seizures can be
justified on other principles than those ad-
vanced at the hearing of case, is it not
open to the United States TO raise themW
Sir Charles Russell-"No. The United
States seized ships on certain grounds.
The Judge punished the men in accordance
Herewith A great nation cannot shift
and change her position. Moreover, the
reasons now advanced, even II admitted,
do not justify the tining and imprisoning OF
sailors"