New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-06-23
NIB. PHELPSS ADDRESS BEGUN.
THE TWO MAIN QUESTIONS BEFORE THE
BEHRING SEA TRIBUNAL.
ACCUSING THE BRITISH COUNSEL OF INDIIEC-
UoN-GREAT BRITAIN's CHANGE OF POSI-
TIoN IL REGARD TO PELAGIC sEALIN

TION IL REGARD TO PELAGIC SEALING
Paris June CA lnrGc number Of visitors were
present to-day at the session Of the Behrinc sea.
Tribunal OF Arbitration. Among those who listened
to the proceedings was James r. EusfiS. American
Ambassador France l.. J. Phelps opened hlS areu-
mcn In behalf Of the contention OF the United stl'cS
and his address brilliant one. lie said 'hat the
case pr, scnted Cnly two main questions: Have inc
Canadians and the renegade Americans who seek the
shelter Of tho British nag in order to defy the laws
Of their the right to continue destroying
the seal species. and. II 30. what regulations are
necessary {, prevent the determination OF the seals !
Other questions might be Involved, but they were
merely Incidental.
America he added claims that the indlscrimnata
destruction the seals. incnding the slaughter OF
gravd animals proceeding toward tho Trbylof Islands
the hcrdng gr nndS, and OF mothers seeking food ~
sea- Is nhuman barbarous and a violation OF tn" laws
Of all civilized nations for the protection OF Win
animals In their breeding season. such slaughter ne
cntendcd. must eventually result In extinghSihng
valuable Industry established for nearly century by
Russia and maintained by America since the ccSSioh
Of Ala ska TO the United States by the Russian "ov
eminent The British claimed the right to extermn-
ale the species for the sake OF small temporary
profit They did not meet the question as t. whether
thc right exists exhausted the resources OF IN"
nlesi advocacy to c"adc II. The British counsel ap
preached the question In every direction except
straicl forward ne They pretended to inquire w'c'h'r
the United states justified in selling British
vessels engaged In pclagic seal hunting. Mr.. Phelps
declared that there such question before me
Tribunal. The arbtrators not concerned IN IN"
question OF past seizures. except to III" finding o'
the necessary facts which to base future nce)ta-
lions. Counsel having agreed upon the fhc's lhe
Tribunal ought 10 dismiss the matter OF seizures.
After rcmarking that BE British assertion that
the United states wished to declare BchIing sea
mare clansnm was untrue. Mr Phelps said that the
seizures OF pcagc sealing vessels eNec cd under
the American claim 10 the right 10 protcct the seals
The United states Government Ind next endeavorct
10 obtain "A convention which. walvng Rights would
preserve the seals The convention was defeated only
by Canada's Interference the ground that pro
lection was needless. after agreement respecting
a clos. season had failed.
Throughout th" negotiations Mr. Phelps further
said Great britain had never defended iaric sealing,
but. while denying Americans jhe night 10 protect
themselves against the British. Lprd salisbury hlH
piofrS,,d rcadinc>, To accept all regulations h",'N
sary To- preserve ihc seals. proposing The appoint
menf Of a iUint commission 50 this "nd. Now '''"t
had vecrrd round after fi" arbitration treaty
had been concluded. aud based her ci-r upon an
elaborate defence Of pcdg1c scaling. Insisting that NJ
rceuaii would b. acceptable 10 her which w'r' In
consistent with the prosperity oi The p'lag hunlcr'
Mr. lh"p, then began criticism Of >lr Cuiis
Eu,,ells al gumcnts on international law.