The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-04-01
ENGLAND VERY SLOW
But Evidently Acting in Good
Faith i'm the Seal Matter.
CANADA A CAUSE or DELAY.
Capt Hsnsen. the Neeorfons Victoria
Seal Psscher, Captured BY Russis
oaa Cost Inso Prisea.

WAsHrxsroy CfrY, March 3L-Secresary
Gresham has submitted 10 the senate
COMMITTEES On foreign relations the draft
Of bill intended to carry out the decision
of the arhi,rators. II shows substantial
changes from the Mccreary bill intro
dueed in the house about two weeks ago.
and the changes that have been necessary
by the developments Of events since that
times. the bill prohibits scaling II all
times within . zone Of sixty miles around
the Prihiiof islands. and prohibits sealing
inside Of . zone including Boring sea
north of IS degrees north latitude
and east Of $50 degrees west longitude.
between May and July. The use of steam
vessels in sealing 10 forbidden, and mas
tiers Of vessels are required 10 render an
official statement OF seals taken, with
penalties for false statements Nets. fire.
arms, air-guns or torpedoes shall not be
used. but shotguns are allowed. United
States Indians not employed by other
persons. and who do not contract with
other persons TO deliver skins. are en-
empted from the provisions Of the
act Fines Of not less than 500. or
imprisor men, for less than six months. or
both. and the confiscation of vessels.
cargo. tackle, etc, are prescribed a. penal
ties for violations Of the act. and prosecu-
tions may be instituted in any United
States district court Of Alaska, California,
Oregon or Washington. 1t is made the
duty Of the president 10 provide for the en-
forcement of the act by q sufficient naval
force in the sealing waters Any citizen
OF the United States offending against the
prohibitions Of this act or the regulations
may be seized and detained by the naval
or other duly commissioned officers Of her
majesty the queen Of Great Britain, but
when so seized and detained they shall be
handed over as soon as practicable,
with any witnesses and proof on
board, to any naval or revenue officer or
authorities Of the United States. whose
courts alone shall possess jurisdiction to
impose the penalties for the same, pro-
vided. however. that British officers shall
arrest and detain all such persons as are
in this section specified after Great Britain
shall. by appropriate legislation. have au-
thorized officers OF the United States
duly commissioned and instructed by the
president to that end, to arrest. detain
and hand over to the authorities of Great
Britain vessels and subjects of that govern
ment offenders against snv statutes or reg
ulations of Great Britain enacted
or made to enforce the aw ards of the treaty
mentioned in the title OF this act.
Although the submission of the above
bill would seem to indicate an understand
ing that the British authorities are ready
to make their own measure conform to
our plan. it appears that something yet
blocks the way. Probably the remon-
strances of the Canadian sealers have the
effect Of causing the British government
to doubt its ability to secure the passage
Of the bill in time to be Of service for this
season.
Sir Julian Pauncefote has again come
forward with a proposition to renew the
modus vivendi for this year, promising
that in case this - done the British act
will be passed in time to go into operation
next year. He also requests permission to
station British commissioner at the seal
islands to see that our catch does not ex-
coed the maximum of 1880 skins. If this
is accepted it is believed the closed season
will extend down TO the tortv-sccond
parallel. ut the northern boundary Of
California. So far as can be learned no
cause is assigned for the failure TO pass the
bill this season, and the fate of Sir Julian's
latest proposition is extremely doubtful.
LONDON. March 3l---As a result of a
further exchange OF views between Lon
don and Washington City the attorney
general has withdrawn the Boring sea bill
which he introduced in the commons
Thursday. The bill with notifications
will be reintrodueed next Thursday.