Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1893-08-25
THE BERING SEA VERDICT
TECHNICAL POINTS DECIDED
INFAVOROF ENGLAND.

The Tribunal of Arbitrators Render
Their Decision in Paris-A Great
Point Won for America-Its Con-
tention That the Seals Have
Proper Protection Sustained.
The Boring Sea Tribunal of Arbitration
rendered its decision. after a deliberation at
Paris extending nearly over five months.
The decision was adverse TO the claims OF
the United States on every point but by the
adoption of regulations as TO seal fishing by
vessels of the United States and Great Brit
ain the United States gain the point for
which they have striven in diplomatic cor
respondence for many years, namely,
the actual preservation OF the seals.
They gain this point most emphat1-
cally Not only is pelagic sealing prohlb-
tied within sixty miles of the Prbylov Isl
ands at all times but practically it is only
permitted to the citizens OF the United States
and Great Britain in the Boring Sea or North
Pacific Ocean for one month each year, the
month Of August. 1t is always Improbable
after that month. Moreover the use OF nre-
arms in the capture of seals is absolutely pro-
hibited in the Boring Sea. Shotguns may be
used in the Pacific outside the limit only IN
the months when peiag1c sealing ls 10 De
permitted This means in other words that
all profitable pelagic sealing is stopped
~
in the months of May, June. July and
August are seals captured. 1t will be lawful
hereafter to use shotguns in their capture
only in the North Pacific Ocean sixty miles
from land and only after July 81 OF each
year.
The arbitrators decide that the Boring Sea
is an open sea, and that the United States
did not purchase this sea when Alaska was
purchased. They decide that Russia did not
claim exclusive jurisdiction, and that dreat
cd They also decide
that the United States have no property right
in the seals outsideth usual three-m1le limit.
against the assertion which the American
counsel made and argued strenuously for
several days. But, by the adoption OF the
regulations, they practically concede to the
United States some control, for the seals
NAV not be killed outside the new sixty
mile limit from May to July 81 nor at any
time may they be killed within sixty miles OF
the Pribylov Islands.
The question of reparatiOn for the seizures
and confiscations by the United States. as
well as the damages for the close season, has
not been fixed. When it is determined, the
treaty of arbitration says it must be paid
promptly.
they really have won the victory.
In the proceedings of the arbitration tribunal
the counsel for the United States made no
serious attempt to argue that the BerlnS Sea
is a closed one. It is significant, in consld-
ering the fairness of the decision. that tire
two English, as we'll as the two American ar
bitrators, were on opposite sides of the case
in some of the points of tie decision.
The American arbitrator believe that the
regulations decided by the tribunal mean
practically the end of pelagic sealing, and
that thew are better terms than were hereto
fore offered to the United States by Great
Britain as a settlementOf the questions in
volved.
All the Englishmen connected with the t:r-
bunal are exceedingly reticent with Their
opinions as to the decision, and apparently
are disappointed because 1t was nor more un-
favorable to the United States.
The arbitrator made special fndins
on the facts agreed upon by the agents
of both Governments with reference
to the seizure of British vessels ID
Bering Sea in 1887 and 1889. In addi-
tion the arbitrators make certain sugges-
lions to the two Governments, the most
important being that they should come to an
understanding to prohibitthe killing Of seals
on land or sea for a period OF from one TO
three years and should enact regulations to
carry out the findings of the arbitrator.
In an interview the Hon. John w. Foster
American agent to the Boring Sea Tribunal
of Arbitration, said that he thought that the
restrictions would render the pelagic indus
try unprofitable. The provision for close
season will not only prevent pelagic hunting
during three out of the four months when II
can be said to be very profitable, but it will
break the sealing season.
The two forces of sealers must suspend op-
erations during the best part of the summer
It leaves the right to hunt seals in the NORTH
Pacific from January to May. The weather
during three-fourths of that period Is very un
favorable and the catches then made are al
WAYS small 1t also leaves the right to hun
seals in part of Boring Sea after July, which
means for a period of abouttwenty-fve days
after the expiration of which rough wealth
er compels the hunters to leave.
The decision in the Bering Sea arbitration
was a subject of much interest at Washing
ton. and while various opinions are ex
pressed by people who have given tn
matter casual attention, those best poste'
in regard to it feel that the United State
has gained victory in the substantial
elements of the case.