The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1893-08-23
suRscaIPrloN RATES:
THE BEHR1Na SEA DECISION.

BeDTlnB sea uGClBlpa IS compromise
with the technical rulings in favor of
England and the practical regulations
for the protection of the fur seal wholly
in the interest Of the United States.
On the five points formulated in
Article VI the tribunal dismisses the
claims of exclusive jurisdiction over
the waters of Behring Sea or the ami
mails themselves based upon the cession
ofAlaska and the conditions Of habitat
and breeding. The arbitrators decide
against the United States on all ques-
tions Of abstract right to protect the
seal, which was technically the main
issue. But when they define the reg
ulations for sealing they provide am
pie means for the protection of the
seal, and that has been the supre me
object Of the American contention.
Indeed, these regulations are so
broadly framed as practically to put an
end to pelagic sealing, and to prevent
the extermination of this valuable
animal in the only quarter of the world |
where it is now found. England has
the letter of the decision, and the Uni |
ted States save the seal. In this way
a protracted international controversy
is brought to close.
To illustrate theory and practice
as formulated by the arbitrators we
may refer to the fifth point of Article
VI. upon which the American coun-
sel laid the main stress In their argu-
ments. 1t involves this question;
" Has the United States iany right,
and, If 80, what right, of protection or
property in the fur seals frequentlying
the islands of the United States in
Behring Sea when such seals are found
outside the ordinary three.mile limit"
Theoretically the arbitrators decide
that the United States can have neither
property in the seal nor the right to
prevent their destruction. But praeti'
cally they establish a close season dur
ing the three months when protection
is absolutely essential; they include the
North Pacific as we'll as. .Behring Sea in
this arrangement; they prohibit the
employment of firearms in sealing, anc
they form protected zone for sixty
miles around the islands where thu
animals breed. These regulations ar,
so favorable that the arbitrators, while
otensibly ruling against the American
claims, seem TO have acted virtually
uron the assumption that the Unitet
States have better right to the sea
than any other nation, and are entitle'
to have their property protected
against slaughter and determination
While therefore the technical quts
tions have eeen decidedl adversely
Americans have reason for profoun,
satisfaction over the general result
They have not esired to revive old
time claims Of exclusive jurisdiction il
contravention of the necessary princ
pie Of freedom of the seas and the pro
gressive genius of international law
What they have aimed to accomplis
has been the preservation Of a valuabl
animal in the interest Of the huma
race. This has been done. Tn
new regulations provide vastl
better terms than the present modu
vivendi, aud virtually insure ampl
protection for the herd. With tn
prohibition of firearms the trade of Ga
madam slaughteTers will cease to
profitable, for it can only be carried o
in small way. The zone of go mile
will protect fairly well the bIeedin
seal, although larger circle woul
have been preferable. The extensio
of the closed season to the North Pac
fc, against which Sir Charles Russo
argued with great earnestness, turn
Canadian poachers out Of their favor
ite huntng-ground. The fur seal wi
not perish from the face Of the water
ofBehring Sea, as it has from tn
South Atlantic and the South Paciti