Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-03-24

The Boring Sea Commission Call ON Presi-
dent Carnot,

The court Of arbitration appointed to adjust
the difficulties between Great Britain and the
United States in relation to the seal fisheries in
Boring sea met yesterday at Paris in the Office
of the French foreign minister. All the mem
bers of the court of arbitration were present
NJ Develle, French minister Of foreign az
fairs, made short speech welcoming the mem
bers of the court, the agents and the counsel.
The meeting was purely formal. Credentials
were presented and the court organized by the
election Of Baron de Courcelles as president
1t was decided to meet at IL 80 a. m. each day
and to sit four hours and q half daily, the
meetings to be open to members Of the press,
to whom cards should be issued.
The court then adjourned until the 4th of
April, IN order to examine the printed argu-
ments Of the United States and Great Britain
which were presented. These printed argu-
ments are to be submitted to the American
Congress and to the British parliament probably
next week, and then to be made public.
The debates Of the court Of arbitration will
be held in the English language. and the journal
Of the proceedings is to be kept in the French
language with an English version.
All the members of the court made a general
and formal visit to President Carnot yesterday,
Mr.. 7. J. Coolidge. American minister, and the
Marquis OF Dufferin, the British ambassador,
presenting the several members to the presi-
dent. President Carnot received the visitors
courteously and welcomed those OF them who
were foreigners to France.
Ex-Secretary John W. Foster, the United
States agent, was spoke to yesterday in relation
to the appointment of ex-senator Jas. B. Eus-
tbs as American minister to France, and said that
he considered the selection a judicious one on
the part Of President Cleveland.
Justice Harlan and Senator Morgan are liv-
ing In q quiet way at the Hotel Lanfond. The
others are at the Continental Hotel. Senator
Morgans eyes are stronger, and he is now
nearly we'll He expresses himself delighted
with Paris, and says that he heartily approves
the appointment Of Mr. Eustis, who Is . ripe
French scholar and q brilliant debater.
THE QUESTIONS IN DISPUTE.
The court has before it the m ost important
international question which has been pre-
sented for peaceful solution since the adjust
ment of the Alabama question. The court is
composed of seven members, two named By the
President Of the United States. two by her
Britannia majesty and the remaining three by
the king Of Italy, the king Of Sweden and Nor
way and the president Of the French republic,
respectively.
1t was agreed between the two governments
that these five points should be submitted to
the srbitrators and that their award should
embrace a distinct decision upon each:
I. What exclusive jurisdiction in the sea
known as the Boring sea and what exclusive
rights in the seal fisheries therein did Russia
assert and exercise prior and up to the time of
the cession of Alaska to the United States?
2. How far were these claims Of jurisdiction
as to the seal fisheries recognized and conceded
by Great Britain?
3. Was the body Of water now known as the
Boring included in the phrase "Pacific
ocean," as used in the treaty Of 1925 between
Great Britain and Russia, and what rights. If
any, in the Boring we're held and exclu-
sively exercised by Russia after said treaty?
4. Did not all the rights of Russia as to juris-
diction and to the seal fisheries in Berinp sea
east OF the water boundary in the treaty be-
tween the United States and Russia of the SOth
Of March, 1867, pass unimpaire6 to the United
States under that treaty?
5. Has the United States any right, and IL so.
what right Of protection or property in the fur
seals frequenting the islands of the United
States in Boring sea when such seals are found
outside Of the ordinary three-mile limit?
The decision of the tribunal, according to the
convention, must be made within four months
from the close Of the argument on both sides,
both governments agreeing to consider the
award of the arbitrators as final settlement of
all the questions referred to them
In the meantime a modus vivendi between
the two countries was arranged by which seal
killing pending arbitration was prohibited (saye
$500 seals to be taken on the island by the
United States for the subsistence Of the ma
tives).