Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1893-08-24

upheld this claim as strenuOusly as |
he could; but it was obseI we'd that
the counsel of the United States
before the tribunal devoted most
of their serious argument to the
general subject of the protection of
the seas, and it is not probable
that any of them expected differ
ent decision from that which has
cen rendered.
The questions OF act thus sub
to arbitration by the treaty
were what exclusive Jurisdiction in
Behring Sea and what exclusive
rights in the seal fisheries therein
were asserted and exercised by
Russia before the cession Of Alaska
to the United States; how far these
claims were recogniz ID and con-
| ceded by Great Britain; whether
Behring Sea was incloded in the
phrase "Pacific Ocean" as used in
the treaty OF 1925 between Great
Britain and Rus sia. and what rig hts
therein were held and exercised
by Russia after that treaty;
whether all the rights of Russia did
not pass nnimpaired to the United
States, and what right of protec-
ton OF property in the fur seals
have the United States outside the
ordinary three mile limit. These
are Mr.. Blaine's five points, and
the tribunal, as was to be expected,
sweeps them all away. No nation
has exclusive jurisdiction in the
high seas outside the recognized
limit; and no international tribunal
ever would allow such a claim.
But the tribunal was further
| charged. if the determination OF
these questions should be such that
the concurrence of Great Britain
is necessary to the establishment OF
regulations tor the protection OF
seals, to decide what concurrent
regulations would be necessary and
over what waters they should ex.
tend, and both parties agreed to
co operate in securing the adhesion
Of other powers to these regulations.
This is the practical side Of the ar
bitration and it is here that hte
United States gain the practical
advantage of an internationa
agreement. The tribunal estab,
fishes protected zone extending
for sixty miles around the Pr'by-
low Islands. within which the taks
ing of seats is forbidden. A close
season is established, extending
through May, June and July, durs
ing which no seals are to be takeI
anywhere. this prohibition extend
| ing not only to Behring Sea but te
the Northern Pacific Ocean gener'
ally. And finally, during the sea-
when pelagic sealing is allowed, i
is to bs allowed only to sailing
vessels expressly licensed for th'
purpose and use of nets, freearm
or explosives is prohibited. Thes'
concurrent regulations, to whicf
the arbitrators, add further sug
gestions for the protection of th'
fur seals the two governments ar,
bound to carry out.
This is a very satisfactory result
: especially to those who have con
sistentlv maintained that what tn
United States asked was right, bu
that the grounds on which it was
claimed were preposterous. Th
2 extension of the protected zone i
3 probably more than Great Britain
; would have been willing to con-
cede, and it is very much NOR
than we could ever have enforced
without such concession, Will
/ outside Of the limit the enforcement
s of the restrictions upon pelagi
. sealing is made a matter OF com
mon concern. The Canadia
poachers will not be pleased wit
this order, but there is no reaso
= to doubt that the Government c
? a ce at Britain will give it co. dis
j, mquiescence, SIS will the othe
, Garritime powers less directly col
cerned. With an intelligent rul
thus established, the fur seals ma
< be properly protected without tb
t constant friction that has been s
O annoying feature of our diploma
. tic history for the paet half doze
). years. The two nations hav
- agreed to cosoperate for the desire
:. end, and such an agreement is i
= itself sufficient vindication.
O GALLANT RUFUS CHOATE,