The record-union., 1893-08-16
enact regulations to carry out the find
| ings of the arbitrators
Ews AT WASHINGTON.

elusive jurisdiction in the Behring Sea
and the seal fishers therein prior to the
cesslon of Alaska to the United States,
| consequently Great Britain never con-
ceded such right to the Russians; that
Behrlng Sea was not included in the
phrase Pacific Ocean" as used in the
treaty Of 1925 between Great Britain and
Russia, consequently no exclusive rights
OF jurisdiction over Behring Sea and the
seal fisheries therein passed to the
United States with Alaska under the
treaty OF 1867. Inference is it is under the
last OF the five points submitted to arbi-
tration by Article VII. that concessions as
to close season, a sixty-mile protected
zone and the prohibition of the use of
firearms apply.
Inc nth point was the one on which
the greatest stress was laid in the argu-
ment by the United States counsel. 1t
raised the question whether the United
States had any right of protection on
property in fur seal frequenting islands
in the Behring Sea outside of the three
mile limit.
The preliminary abstract of the decis-
ion received is regarded here as implying
that the tribunal, to certain extent, has
conceded this right, and in future seal
life will be protected by virtue of inter-
national agreements entered into under
the award of arbitration.
News of the decision was not received
at the State Department with the degree of
| disappointment that might be supposed.
Private information had come that mat
ters in Paris were not looking favorable
for the United States. Besides there had
not always been in administration circles
extreme confidence in the strength Of the
American case, and considerable differ
ence of opinion existed as to the business
of the claims by this Government.
Secretary Gresham declined to give an
expression of opinion on the decision
He communicated the news to Presiden t
Cleveland at Gray Gables, and also had
long conference with. Secretary Carlisle.
1t is probable that all vessels composing
our fleet in Behring Sea will be
Withdrawn except one revenue cutter,
which will be used in maintaining
the protective zone. In accord with the
decision of the arbitrators, it will compel
the United States to make compensation
to British subjects for abstaining from
the capture of seals in Behring Sea dur
ing the tendency of the arbitration.
| This does not touch the question of dam
ages prior to that time, and further in
| formation is awaited as to the nature of
the finding with reference to the seizures
| of 1887 and 1889.
Senator Butler said sthe award gave
more than he expected; that he never be-
lieved the contention that Behring Sea
was closed sea could be maintained.
Senator Frye thought the court would
hold that we had property right in the
seals, and says the decision raises a very
serious question as to the liability for
past action.
Senator Sherman thought the adjust
ment of the close season and the extern
sion of measures for the prevention of
pelagic sealing very acceptable.
MATTER OF DAMAGES.
LONDON, Aug. 15.-Concerning the mat
ter of damages for British vessels seized.
Paris special says the question of
amount was by mutual consent reserved
for future negotiation.
NOT so BAD AFTER ALL.
PARIS, Aug. 15.-Hon. John w. Foster.
American agent, said this evening that he
thought the restrictions of the arbitrators
would render the pelagic sealing indus
try Improbable. 1t not only prevents
pelagic sealing during three out of four
months in which it can be said to be pro-
fitable, but will break the season. The
United States, he said, have not obtained
all they contended for, but the regula-
tions are much better than those Mr.,
Blaine vainly offered to Lord Salisbury
as a settlement in 1890.
The concensus of opinion of American
agents is that though the technical sue
cess rests with Great Britain on the legal
points on practical grounds, the victory is
to the United States, as the arbitration
was entered upon to preserve seals, and
the decision achieves that result.
Justice Harlan also thought the general
result of the arbitration far in advance of
anything the United States had de-
manded. The members of the tribunal
reserved the right to prepare and file in
dividual opinions in the case any time
before January lst. Justice Harlan will
prepare his in Switzerland, and will prob
ably return home in the latter part O:
September.
Senator Morgan will sail on Saturday.
GREAT BRITAIN SATISFIED.
LONDON, Aug. Is. - Gladstone an
nounced in the House of Commons to-
day that he had received private tele-
gram from Paris to the effect that. with
few exceptions, the award of the Behring
Sea Tribunal of Arbitration was satisfac-
tory to British interests.
PAY DUE CANADIANS.
LONDON, Aug. l5.-The Pail Man Ga
sette this afternoon publishes a dispatch
from Paris saying that on the questions
of fact regarding the seizure of sealing
vessels the decision of the tribunal is in
favor of Great Britain. The paper adds
that as a natural result of this decision
the United States will give Canadian
sealers due compensation for seizures il
legally made. The regulations provid-
ing for close season are very stringent
The prohibition of firearms may be found
to be serious disadvantage by the Ca
madam sealers.
1uba River Cutoff.