The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-08-16
WILL PRESERVE THE SEALS,
THE TEXT OF THE DECISION Nv 1H1
BEHRING SEA ARBITRATION.

A Decision Technically Against the Unite<
States on Every Point In the Cass-lsut ID
tho Matter OF Negotiations the United
States Win Some Control Of the Geais
and Secure Practical Prohibition I'd
PelnSic Sealing In che North Peoine ~
well rs tn the Behring Sea-A gixty-zaile
Zone OF Absolute Safety for the soals and
Fishing TO be Allowed Outsids OF That
Practically Oniy Ono Month In Each Isa~.
PARIS. Aug 15.-The Behrne Sea arbitration
decision was announced this morning, and ID
| was adverse to the claims OF the United States
| on every point; but by the adoption Of regula-
lions as to seal fishing by vessels Of the United
States and Great Britain. the United States
| gain the point for which they have striyen
In diplomatic correspondents for many
years. namely. tho actual preservation Of the
| seals. They gain this point most emphati-
cally. Not only Is pelagto sealing prohibited
within sixty miles OF the Pribylov Islands at
all times. but practically It 10 only per.
mitted to the citizens Of the United States
and Grcat Britain in the BohrinG Sea or North
Pacific Ocean for one month each year. tho
month OF August 1t IL always Improbable
after that onth. Moreover, tho use OF IRE.
arms in the capture OF seals is absolutely pro.
hibited in the BehrinG Sea. Shotguns may be
used in the Pacific outside the limit only In
the months when pelagic sealing is to be per-
mitted. This m cans in other words that all
profitable pelagio sealing Is stopped hence.
forth. for only by the use OF firearms in the
months Of May. June. July. and August are
seals captured. 1t will be lawful hereafter to
use shotguns in their capture only In the North
Pacific Ocean sixty miles from land and only
after July 81 Of each year. n
The arbitrators decide that the Behring Sea
Is an open sea. and that the United States did
not purchase this sea when Alaska was pur-
chased. They decide that Russia did not
claim exclusive jurisdiction. and that Great
Britain never recognized it They also decide
that the United States have no property right
in the seals outside the usual three mile limit
against the assertion which the American
counsel made and argued strenuously for sew
eral days. But. By the adoption Of the regula-
tions. they practically concede TO the United
States some control. for tho seals may not
be killed outside tho new sixty-mile limit
from May to July 81: nor at any time may
they be killed within sixty miles OF the Priby-
Low islands
The question OF reparation for tho seizures
and conflscatlons by the United States. as well
as the damages for the close season. has not
been fixed. When 1t Ii determined. the treaty
Of arbitration says it must DO paid promptly.
The agents Of the United States here
think they really have won the victory.
In the proceedings Of the arbitration tribunal
the counsel for the United States made no
serious attempt to argue that the Behring Sea
Is q closed one 1t Is significant, In con-
sidering the fairness Of the decision. that the
two English. as we'll as the two American arbi-
traitors. were on opposite sides Of the case In
some OF the points Of the decision.
At 8 o'clock this morning the seven arbitra-
tors hold a private session In a room used BY
officials Of tho Department OF Foreign Affairs
at the DUAL d'Orsai At IL o'clock the arbi-
traitors reassembled In the room in the Foreign
Office in which public sessions OF the tribunal
had been held. Baron de Courcel tho Prssi-
dent Of the tribunal then delivered to the
agents Of tho United States and Great Britain
original copies of the decision signed by all
the arbitrators.
Atterward Baron de Courcel addressed the
arbitrators. saying that he recognized the
great value OF arbitration as cause of peaca
between nations. He expressed tho opinion
that every International arbitration renders
war less probable. and said he ooked forward
to the time In the near future when 1t would
be the rule. and not the exception. to settle
international differences In this way.
Senator John T. Morgan. one OF theAmeri-
can arbitrators. and Lord Hammer. ono of the
arbitrators appointed by Great Britain. re-
sponded to Baron de Courcel. declaring that
they reoprocated tho sentiments expressed
by him. and recognized the hospitality Extend
ed by Franco to the arbitrators. The session
thus terminated amid mutual congratulations
md expressions OF good feeling.
The treaty under which the Tribunal OF Ar
bitration WAS appointed recited that the Gov
ornments Of the United States and Great Brit
ain were DESTROYS to provide for an amicable
settlement Of the questions which had arisen
between them concerning the jurisdictional
rights OF tho United States In the waters OF
Behring Sea. and concerning also the preser-
walton OF the fur seal in or habitually resort
ing to that sea- and the rights Of the citizens
and subjects OF either country rs regards the
tax ing OF fur seals. agreed to submit the quss-
posed OF seven arbltrators. two to be named
by Great Britain. two BY the United States one
by France. one by Italy. and one By Sweden
The artitrators selected were;
= Great Britain-Lord Hammer and Sir John q
France. Naron do Courcel. who was subse-
Italy Marquis Emilio visconti. Vsnosta-
Aside from the ar6ltrators the personnel Of
the tribunal was a. follows: Tho Hon John
Treasury, American agent. and the Hon. a.
Topper, Canadian Minister OF Marine, Britigh
Fosc Rns snmss erfs Ss h msH6z ts
statea. and Sir Charlss Russell. sir Mehard
son; counsel for Great Britain; Major Elijah
W. Halfori. William Williams. and Hubbard
smith, American attaches. and Arthur Gun
bingham, Ashley Proude, John @ Pope. and
II. p. Maxwell. British attaches.
ormation Of the tribunal. It's sessions. its ex-
oonses. &c. and, the questions In dispute were
ncorpo rated in ArticleVL. which was as follows;
In deciding the matters submitted 90 the AEbirAtos
nil ted to them ORDER that their award shall embrace
distinct decision each OF said pointa
]. What exclusive jurisdiction III the known
s the Behring hoa and what exclusive rights In the
cal fisheries Therein, did Russia assert and exercise
and TO the time OF the cosson OF Alaska to the
United Stafosf
? How FAR were these claims OF Jurisdiction Az oths
recognized and conceded by Great Britainf
.. Was the body OF water now known 40 the Bshrng
realty 1925 between Great Britain and Russia and
rights, IL any. in the BehrtnK Sea held aud
xc.uBiyely exercised by Russia after said treaty
T. Did all the rights OF Russia as TO juIisdieton
seal fisheries in Behring Sea east OF the
water boundary in tho treaty between tho United
tates and Russia OF March 80 1861 pass unimpaired
0 tho United States under that treaty.