St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-04-02
GRESHAM DRAFTS 4 BILL
TO REGULhTE SEAL FISHERIES IN
THE. BEHRLvG SEA.
CHANGES THATARE PROPOSED
From the Sunday Globe I


WASHINGTON, March 31.-Secretary
Gresham has submitted to the senate
committee OH foreign relations the draft
of bill intended to carry out the regu-
latIonS OF the arbiiratorS as 70 the con-
duct of the seal fisheries III the North
Pacific and Behring sea. 1t shows Sub
Slantal changes from the MeCreary
bill, introduced in the house about two
weeks ago. and these changes have been
made necessary by the advancement of
the negotiations which have been in
progress almost daily since that time.
The bill prohibits sealing Within a zone
of sixty miles around the Pribylotf
islands. and prohibits sealing this side
of that zone. AMI in cluding Behring sea
north OF So north latitude and east of
$50 longitude between May l and
July 81.
Tile use of steam vessels in sealing is
forbidden. and masters of vessels are
required to render an official statement
of seals taken, with penalties for false
statements. Nets, firearms, air guns
or explosives shall not be used. but shot
guns are allowed. United States In
dianS not employed by other persons.
and who do not contract with other per-
sons to deliver skins,a are exempted from
the provisions of the act. Fines of not
less than 300, or Imprisonment not less
than six months. or both, and the con-
fiScation of vessels, cargo, tackle, ETC.,
are prescribed as the penalties for yio-
lation ut this act. and
PROSECUTIONS
may be instituted in any United States
district court..of Alaska, California,
Oregon OF Washington. 1t is male The
duty of the president tn provided for the
enforcement of the act by IL sufficient
naval force in the sealing waters.
Any vessel or citizen of the United
States offending aga n II the prohibitions
of this act or the regulations thereunder
may be seized and detained by the naval
or other duly commissioned officers of
her majesty the Queen of Great Brit
ain. but when so seized and detained
they shall be handed over as soon as
practicable, with any witness and proofs
OH board, to any naval or revenue Off
Ger, or other authorities of the United
States, whose courts alone shall possess
jurisdiction to try the offense and i'm
pose the penalties for the same.
Provided, however, that British Off
GERS shall arrest aud detain vessels
and persons as in this section specified
only after, by appropriate legislation,
Great Britain shall have authorized
officers of tho United States, duly COM
miSsioned and instructed by the presi-
dent to that end, to arrest, detain and
hand over to the authorities of
GREAT BRITAIN VESSELS
and subjects of that government Offend
ing against any statutes or regulations
of Great Britain enacted OF made to
cuforce the award of the treaty men-
toned in the title of this act. Although
the submission of the above bill would
seem to indicate an understanding that
the British authorities are ready to
make their own measure conform to our
plan, it appears that there are yet
stumbling blocks in the way. These
are probably due to the urgent remon-
stances of the Canadians, and they
have had the effect to cause the British
government to doubtits ability to secure
the passage of their bill in time to be
of service this season.
Sir Julian Pauncefote has again come
forward with proposition to renew
the moduS vivendl for this year, promis-
ing that in case this is done, the British
act will be passed in time to go into
operation next year. He also requests
permission to station British agent at
the seal islands to see that our catch
does not exceed the maximum of $500
skins. If this is accepted it is believed
that the closed season will extend down
to the 42d parallel at the northern
boundary of California. So far as can
he learned no cause is assigned for the
failure to pass the bill this season.
and the fate of Sir Julian's last PROPOSE,
ton is extremely doubtful.