The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-06-03
THE BERING SEA CASE
No Decision Expected Before
Nodus vivendi Has Expired.
BLUE BOOK ON SEAL QUESTION.


PARss. June 1-Ssr Richard Webster
continued his argument today before the
BerinE sea tribunal Of arbitration in be-
half Of the British case. He pointed out
that the exclusion Of seals BY senator
samner, who had charge IN the United
States Of the measure for the acquisition
Of Alasks, Srom the description Of Alaskan
products. refuted the assertion that the
value Of the seals induced the United
States to pay 5000 900 for Alaska. Sir
Richard Webster quoted from debates In
congress on the purchase OF Alaska TO
show that no importance was then At
tached 20 the seals Or to the exclusive
jurisdiction obtained in Bering sea.
WASHINGTON CRY. June 2-Unofhcial
advices from members Of the American
commission at Paris in connection with
the Bering sea arbitration do not give any
hope Of an early termination OF the pres.
ent proceedings. Besides Sir Charles
Russell. Great Britain will present four
ether attorneys. After they have finished
Z. J. Phelps or H. W. Biodgett. OF counsel
for the United States. are still TO be heard.
After the argument is concluded the arhi-
traitors have three months in which to
render decision. 1t is hoped the final
result will be reached by the LIST of Octo-
Der, At which time the modus vivendi ex-
pires by the terms Of the treaty Of arbl.
tration.
LONDON. June 2-The foreign Office has
issued blue book. which contains the
correspondence concerning the agreement
between Great Britain and Russia ~ to
the protection of Russia's sealing inter.
ests in the North Pacific ocean, Of Boring
sea. The original contention Of Russia
was that her cruisers should have the ex-
elusive right to patrol the seas in question
and convey British trespassers to Petro-
paulovsky, where their cases should Do
adjudicated. Lord Rosebery declined to
agree to such proceedings and suggested
that British vessels caught trespassing be
conveyed to Yokohama. where their cases
should be adjudicated by the British con.
suiar court. Eventually the powers agreed
that trespa.sers should be delivered
to British cruiser or to the nearest Brit
ish authority on land. Great Britain at
the same time undertaking to bring them
the book il the text Of the agreement On ..
mitted to Privy Councillor Schickkins on
May II last. 1t provides that during the
year ending December 81 next British sub
jects b prohibited from killing or hunting
seals within the following limits:
"a Within gone OF tan marine miles follow
ing the sinnosttes OF the Russian coasts, which
border on Boring ssa, and any other part OF the
North Pacific ocean.
(B) Within . some OF thirty marine miles
ssound Komandorskie islands ana around Rob
bin islands and Tulinew. and British vessels
poaching In said limit may b seised BY either
British or Russian cruisers; but IL seized by the
latter, shall be handed over - announced above.
The Russian government eugagea to limit to
5000 the number Of seals that may be killed In
the whole year 1893 upon and around the islands
OF Komandorskic aud TulineW. Schickkine. in
accepting the agreement, said that II was with
the distinct understanding that It leaves intact
al rights of Russia In her territorial waterA
Roseberry, in reply, said that it may be
mutually understood that the rights and
position of each power remain unaffected
by this provisional agreement