The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-08-23
The Bebring Sea Decision.

The Behring Sea tribunal of arbitra-
ton, on Tuesday of last week, handed
to the agents of the United States and
Great Britain its decision in the matter
of the seal fisheries.
The questions in dispute were D
What exclusive jurisdiction in Behring
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
as to the seal fisheries recognized and
conceded by Great Britain? (3) Was
Behring Sea included in the phrase,
b" Pacific Ocean," as used in the treaty
of 1925 between Russia and Great Brit
ain? (4) Did all the rights of Russia
to jurisdiction and the seal fisheries
pass to the United States under the
treaty of 1867? (5) Has the United
States any right of protection or prop
erty in the fur seals frequenting the
islands in Behring Sea?
All Of these questions, except the
fourth, were decided against the United
States. The fourth, decided in favor of
the American government, is of no
special Importance in view of the adj
verse decision in the others. Defeated
on the legal questions, America won
the great practical point for which her
advocates contended most strenuously
that the seals should have proper
protection. To this end Cd close
season is established, beginning May l
and ending July 81, to be observed both
in the North Pacific Ocean and in
Behring Sea. (2) A protected zone
of sixty miles around the Pribyloff
Islands is established. Within this
zone the United States and Great
Britain are forbidden to kill or capture
seals at any time or in any manner.
(3) Outside this zone seals may be
taken except during the months of
May, June and July. (4) Only sail
ing vessels shall be allowed to take
part in fur sealing operations. (5)
The use of nets, firearms or explosives
is forbidden, but the restriction does
not apply to shot-guns used in fishing
outside Behring Sea during the open
season. These are the principal reg
ulations, but the arbitrators make GER
tain suggestions, the most important of
which is that the two governments
should agree to prohibit the killing of
seals on land or sea for period of from
one to three years and should enact
regulations to carry out the findings of
the arbitrators.
The verdict seems to give general
satisfaction, both in America and Great
Britain. Canada will derive some sat
isfaction from the fact that the United
States, defeated in the questions of law,
must pay damages to Canadian poach-
ers for seizure and confscation of seal
ing vessels, and for loss of profits
while awaiting, under the moduS vivendi,
the decision of the arbitrators. But
what is the present gain of the Cana
dams is their future loss, for the regu-
lations imposed upon the two govern
ments, it is generally conceded, put an
end to profitable pelagic sealing, and
they certainly seal the doom of poach-
ing. What is Canada's future loss is
equally the gain of the United States
and her future means of recouping
herself for the present damages to be
paid to Canada.
What has the United States gained by
submitting the Behring Sea dispute to
court of arbitration? American opin-
ions differ. The general verdict, how
ever, is that this country has secured a
substantial victory. England has gained
technical advantage, America a
greater material benefit than she had
twice sought in vain through the chan
nels of diplomacy. The tribunal has
reaflirmed, in England's behalf, certain
principles of international law or GER
tain commonly-accepted matters OF
international usage which may ulti-
mately operate to the material disad-
vantage of England herself and the adj
vantage of mankind in general, not ex-