The herald., 1895-05-16
THAT SEALING AGREEMENT
British Ships to Be Sent to Bering
Sea Again
The Instructions to the Queens Vessels Will
Not Direct the Seizure Of Vessels
Found With Arms

| WASHINGTON, May 15.-It can be
stated authoritatively that British ships
will be sent to Bering sea to patrol
/ against poachers and to use every effort oi
carrying out the Paris ward and the
British law based thereon.
The instructions to the British ships
will not. however direct the SEIZURE OF
vessels found with arms but will require
other external evidence of scaling, such
as the possession of skins. the presence OF
! blood OH the ship. etc. as a basis OF seiz-
ure. This will differ from the instructions
of 4ast year which made the open posses
sion of arms prima facie evidence. The
| British law based on the Paris award does
not forbid the open carrying OF arms.
The United States law. which is held by
the authorities of Great Britain to have
| gone beyond the Paris award makes the
| open possession of arms prima facie evil
dence Of sealing. The British regulations
last year yielded to a certain extent to
the United States law. Now, however;
the British law will be strictly adhered
! to. the theory OF the British authorities
being that the Paris arbitrators had
ample means of providing against the eX-
termination of seals and that the award
fully executed will give full protection.
Under these circumstances serious
question arises Hs to whether United TED
British sealers because they openly curry
arms. this not being against the British
regulations. Last year United States
ship apprehended the British sealer Wan
derer under section 10 of the United
States law which provides that posses
sealing. Again United States ship ap-
pretended the British sealer FavOIite on
the same grounds. This raised The ques-
tion whether United States naval ship
has the right to execute United States
law against a British ship when the
British law recognizes no such offenses.
There is reason to believe the British
policy hereafter will be to allow British
Ships to apprehend British ships under
the British law, but not under the other
law. Under the request of the British
embassy. Earl Aberdeen, governor gen.
eral of Canada. has been directed to fur
nsh the list OF ships for patrol OF BeIing
sea. H. will forward it as soon as it is
received from the commander OF tie
British fleet at Vancouver.
In view of these facts 1T is declared by
the representatives of Great Britain in
Washington there will be full and
sincere cooperation in the patroling of
Bering sea against poachers. 1t is insisted
that the serious apprehensions OF the
arc not justified. these officers having
grave fears that the result of Great
Britsin's modification with respect to
firearms will be the determination of the
seals.
WASHINGTON. Nav 15.-The treasury
officials have practically decided upon the
number of skins which the North Ameri-
can Commercial Company may take dur
ing the coming season. The company
will be authorized to take 1900 skins, and
this number may. be increased to any
ment of the departments agent at the
Prbyloff Islands, such increase would
not endanger the herds. The department
has telegraphed to the commander of the
Grant at Port Townsend instructing him
to proceed to join the other cutters of the
Berng sea fleet as soon as her repairs are
cOmpleted.