The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1893-08-25

PARIS, Aug. I5.-The decision OF the
Behring sea tribunal or arbitration
was handed down at Ills O'Clock this
morning. The five points or article
were decided against the United
States. a close season is established,
to begin on May lst and 10 continue
until July 3lst. This close season shall
be observed both in the North Pacific
ocean and in Behring sea. 4 protect
ed zone IS established extending for
sixty miles around the islands. Pela-
gic sealing IS allowed outside the zone
in Behring sea from August 1st. The
use of firearms in sealing is prohibited.
The American arbitratOrs have ex-
pressed their satisfaction with the text
Of the decision.
Baron de Courcel, after the decision
was rendered, thanked the arbitrators
for the close and intelligent attention
they had brought TO bear upon the
case. Lord Harmon and Senator Nor
gan, in replying to the president OF
the tribunal, Acknowledged his cour-
tesy and hospitality. The American
arbitrators believe that the regUla-
tions decided upon by the tribunal
mean practically an end Of pelagIc
sealing, and they are better terms
than were heretofore offered to the
United States by Great Britain as
settlement OF the questions involved.
OTTAWA, Aug. 1.-THE following
cable was received at noon to day by
the Hon. Mackenzie Bowel, acting
premier, from Sir John Thompson:
Paris, Aug. -.
To Bowel, Ottawa,
Arbitration concluded and award
delivered at noon. All questions of
right decided in favor OF Great
Britain. Future sealing prohibited
during MAY, June and July, and fire.
arms prohibited in BebrIng Sea.
Topper and L are sailing by the
Partisan on Thursday.
THOMPSON.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 15.-The Secre-
tary of State received cable advices
from Paris which in general confirm
the United Press bulletin that the de-
ciSiOn of the arbitration tribunal on
all points involving exclusive juris-
dictiOn over the Behriug Sea has been
rendered against the United States.
That is to say: the tribunal has de-
cided, l5t, that Russia did not assert
aud exercise exclusive jurisdiction in
Behring Sea and over the seal fish
cries therein prior 10 the cession of
Alaska to the United States; End,
that consequently Great Britain con-
coded no such rights to the United
States; 3rd, that Behring Sea was not
included in the phrase Pacific Ocean,
az used in the treaty of 1885
between Great Britain and Russia;
4th, consequently no exclusive rights
of Jurisdiction over Rering sea and
over the seal fisheries therein passed
to the United States with Alaska,
under the treaty of 1857. The infer
ence is that it 3 under the last of the
five points submitted to arbitration by
article 8 Of the treaty that concessions
as to the close season, the sixty miles
protected zone and the prohibition of
the use OF firearms apply. The fifth
point was the one on which the great
est stress was laid in the argument by
the United States consul. 1t raised
the question whether the United
States had any right of protection or
property in fur seals frequenting the
islands Of Behring sea outside the
three-mile limit. The preliminary
abstract of the decision received in re-
gard here, as implying that the tri-
bunal to a certain extent had con-
coded this right, only in future seal
life viii be protected by virtue of the
international agreement entered into
under the award of arbitration, and
UOJ 5DieiN bH the authority OF the
United States statute.
OTTAWA, August I5.-Cabinet min
listers do not care 10 speak of the
Behring sea award, but there is good
reason TO believe that the outline OF it
does not give much satisfaction IN Off
cial circles. The feeling seems 10 be
that Great Britain has cracked the
nut OF which Canada gets the shell
and Uncle sam the kernel. What the
Dominion wanted was the utmost
possible latitude for the sealers. II
did not care n continental for Ques-
lions OF international right in BehrinG
sea, save in so far as these facilitated
British Columbia seaiers in securing
big cargoes OF the most valuable fur ] q
the world. But IN the award, while
Great Britain seems TO have had its
international contention as to right
and Jurisdiction sustained, Canada APP
parently sees her sealing industry
disappearing into Uncle sam vest
pocket. The close season imposed.
the entire prohibition OF the use OF
firearms and the establishment of q
zone of 40 miles in diameter around
the islands, terribly restricts seal
hunting everywhere, save on the ISL
andS, and these are American. This
would give a monopoly 10 the Ameri-
cans OF seal fishing. That is q con-
densed view of how the matter has
been received in departmental and
official circles.