The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1893-08-25
SEALING SETTLED.

The Behring Sea Commission Renders q
Decision-It Is In the Main Favorable
to England But Holds That Seals Must
BE Protected.
PARIS. Aug. 1e.-The decision of the
Behring sea tribunal of arbitration was
handed down at II o'clock yesterday
morning. The five points of article o
are decided against the United States
The close season is established to be-
gin May and to continue until July
81. This close season is to be observed
both in the North Pacific ocean and in
Behring sea
A protected zone Is established ex-
tending for sixty miles around the ISL
ands.
Pelagic sealing is allowed outside the
zone in Rehring sea from August L.
The use of firearms in sealing is pro-
hibited.
Baron de Courcel, after the decision
was rendered, thanked the arbitrators
for the close and intelligent attention
they had brought to bear upon the case.
After a preamble stating the case
submitted, the court took up article g
and decided as follows:
BY the ukase OF 1921 Russia claimed iurisdic-
ton in the sea now known as Behr:ng sea, to
the extent Of 100 italian miles from the coast
and islands belonging TO her, but liz the course
of the nogotia lions which led 10 the conclusion
of the treaty of 1874 with the United States and
the treaty OF 1925 with Great Britain, Russia
admitted that her jurisdiction in said sea
should be restricted SO as TO reach cannon
shot from shore. 1t appears that from that
time up 10 the time OF the cession OF Alaska &c
the United States Russia never asserted in
fact. or exercised any exclusive Jurisdiction in
Behring sea or any exclusive rights 10 the seal
fisheries therein beyond the ordinary limit OF
territorial waters.
majority, decide and determine that Great
Britain did not recognize or concede any claim
upon the part Of Russia to exclusive turisdic
ton as 10 the seal fisheries in Behring sea out
side the ordinary territorial waters
AS 10 the third point, 10 so much thereof
rs requires US TO decide whether the body OF
water now known as Behring sea was included
tn the phrase Pacific ocean," as used in the
treaty Of Is25 between Great Britain and Rus.
STA unanimously decide to determine that
that body of water now known as Behring sea
was included in the phrase Pacific ocean" as
used in said treaty.
On the fourth point we decide that all the
rights of Russia to jurisdiction and TO the seal
fisheries passed to the United States limited
by the cession.
On the fifth point We decide and determine
that the United States have no right TO the
protection Of or property in the seals frequent
ing the islands Of the United States in Behring
sea when found outside the ordinary three mile
limit This last decision was made by Morgan,
Raron de Courcel Marquis Visconte-Vencsta
and Judge CRAWFORD Hsnuen. John NJ. Har.
Ian and Sir John Thompson dissenting.
The following regulations were adopt
ed by majority of the arbitrators, Mr..
Harlan and Sir John Thompson dissent
ing:
Article THE United States and Great
Britain shall forbid their citizens and subjects
90 XIII. capture or pursue at anv time or in any
manner whatever. the animals commonly called
fur seals within a zone Of co miles around the
Pribyloff islands inclusive OF the territorial
waters. the miles being geographical miles,
sixty 10 4 degree OF latitude.
Article 2-The two governments shall forbid
their citizens or subjects to kill capture or pur-
sue il any manner whatever during season
extending in each year from Nav l to July 81,
inclusive. fur seals on the high sea in that part
OF the Pacific ocean, inclusive OF BehrinC sea,
situated north OF the 3Dth degree OF north lati-
tude or eastward OF the l6 Ith degree of longi-
tude from Greenwich until IL strikes the water
boundary described in article of the treat OF
1867 between the United States and Russia, fol-
lowing that line up 10 Behring straits.
Article S-Duriny the period of time in the
waters in which fur sealing is allowed onlT sail
ing vessels shall be permitted 10 carrv on OF
take part in fur sealing operations They Will
however. be at liberty 10 avail themselves OF
the use of such canoes or unlocked boats pro.
PEELED by paddles oars or sails as are in com
mon use as fishing boats.
Article Each sailing vessel authorized &c
carry on fur sealing must be provided with Ii
special licanse issued fer the purpose by its
government Each vessel so employed shall
be required to carry Distinguishing flag pre-
scribed by its government.
Article 5-The masters Of vessels engaged IL
fur scaling shall enter accurately in the official
log book the date and place OF operation, the
number and ;he sex of seals captured daily.
These entries shall be communicated by each
OF the two governments to each other at the
end Of each season.
Article 6-The use Of nets fire arms or ex-
piosives is forbidden in fur sealing. These re-
str;ctions shall not apply to shot guns when
such are used in fishing outside Of Behrins
sea during The season when such may be law.
fully carried on
Article The two governments shall take
measures TO control the fitness Of The men au
thOrized 10 engage in scaling These men shall
have been proved fit 10 handle with sufficient
skill the weapons by which seal fishing is car
ried on.
Article s-The preceding regulations shall: not
apply 10 Indians dwelling on the coast Of the
territories of the United States or Great Brit
ain earring on fur sealing in canoes or unlocked
boats, Tot transported or used in connection
with other vessels and propelled wholly by
paddles, oars or sails and manned by no more
than five persons in she manner hitherto prac.
ticed by The Indians; provided that such Iu-
dams are not employed by other persons
ana provided that when so hunting in ca
noes or unlocked boats the Indians snail not
n--~-,T f. To-
under contract 10 celiver skins TO anybody.
This exemption is not TO be constructive affect
the municipal law Of either country, nor shall
81 extend 10 the waters Of Behring sea or the
waters around the Aleut;an islands Nothing
herein contained IS intended 10 interfere with
the employment Of Indians as hunters or other
wise in connection with sealing vessels as here
fofore.
Article e-The concurrent regulations hereby
determined with view 10 the protection and
preservation Of the fur seals shall remain IN
force until they have been wholly or in par,
abolished or modified by a common agreement
between the United States and Great Britain |
Said concurrent regulations shall be submitted
every i've years TO new exanina ton in order |
10 enable both governments 10 consider whether !
in the light OF past experience there is occasion
70 make an modification therein
The arbitrator make a special find |
ing on the facts agreed upon by the |
agents of both governments with refer. |
ence to the seizure of British vessels in !
Behring sea in 1887 and 1889. In add. |
ton the ar bitrato make certain sug-
gestions TO the two governments. the |
most important being that they should !,
come to an understanding TO prohibit |
the killing OF seals on land or sea for Q /
period of from one 20 three years.
In the Receivers Hands.
NEW YORK, Aug. J6.-Thomas F. |
Cakes, of New York: II. W. Paine. OF /