The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1896-06-12
THE BERING SEA SEALERS
AGREEMENT BETWEEN UNITED
STATES IND GREAT BRITAIN.
Text of the Convention--For Settlement
of All Claims Presented.

Washington, d. c., June n.-Folow-
Eng is the text of the convention be-
tween the governments of the United
States and Great Britain providing for
the settlement of the claims presented
by Great Britain against the United
States on account of seizures of Bering
Sea sealers!
Whereas, BY a treaty between the
United States of America and her ma
Jesty the queen of the United Kingdom
OF Great Britain and Ireland, signed
at Washington on February 80. 1892,
the questions which had arisen between
their respective governments concern
ing the jurisdictional right of the Unit
ed States in the waters of Boring Sea,
and concerning also the preservation
of the fur sea in, or habitually resort
ing to, the said waters, We're submitted
to a tribunal of arbitration as therein
constituted and.
Whereas, The high contracting par
ties having found themselves unable to
agree upon a reference which would
include the question of the liability of
each for the injuries alleged to have
been sustained by the other, or by its
citizens, in connection with the claims
presented and urged by it, did by arti-
Gle VIII. of the said treaty agree that
either party might submit to the arbi-
traitors any questions of fact involved
in said claims, and ask for a binding
thereof, the question of the liability of
either government on the facts found
to be the subject of further negotiation;
and,
Whereas, The agent of Great Britain
did, in accordance with the provisions
of said article VIII, submit to the tri-
bunal of arbitration certain findings of
fact which was agreed to as proved by
the agent of the United States and the
arbitrator did unanimously find the
facts so set forth to be true, as appears
by the award of the tribunal rendered
on the 18th day of August 1898; and,
Whereas, In view of the said finding
of fact and of the decision of the tri-
bunal of arbitration concerning the
jurisdictional rights of the United
States in Boring Sea and the right of
protection of property of the United
States in the fur seals frequenting the
islands of the United States in Bering
Sea, the government of the United
States is DESTROYS that in so far as it's
liability is not already fixed and de-
termined by the findings of fact and
the decision of said tribunal of arbitra-
ton, the question of such liability
should be definitely and fully settled
and determined, and compensation
made for any injuries for which in
the contemplation of the treaty afore-
col n1 he ri nd fir inc Of bo
tribunal of arbitration compensation
may be due to Great Britain from the
United States; and
Whereas, 1t is claimed by Great
Britain, though not admitted by the
United States that prior to the said
award certain other claims against
the United States accrued in favor of
Great Britain on account of seizures of
or interference with the following
named British sealing vessels--to w.t.
the Wanderer, the Wnifred, the Hen
rietta and the Oscar and Hattie and it
is for the mutual interest and conven-
fence of both the high contracting par
ties that the liability of the United
States, if any, and the amount of com
pensation-all claims by Great Britain
under article V of the modus vivendi
of April IS, 1892, for the abstention of
fishing of British sealers during the
tendency of said arbitration having
been definitely waived before the tri-
bunal Of arbitration:
THE AGREEMENT.
The United States of America and
her majesty the queen of the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
to the end of concluding a convention
for that purpose have appeared as
their respective plenipotentiaries
The president of the United States,
the Hon. Richard Olney, secretary of
state; and her majesty the Queen of
the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Right Hon Sir Julian
Pauncefote, G. G. B., G. G. M. G., her
majesty's ambassador extraordinary
and plenipotentiary to the United
States who after having communicate
ed to each other their respective full
powers, which were found in due and
proper form, have agreed to and con-
cluded the following articles:
Article 1.-The high contracting par
ties agree that all claims on account of
injuries sustained by persons in whose
behalf Great Britain is entitled to claim
compensation from the United States
and arising by virtue of the treaty
aforesaid, the award and the findings
of the said tribunal of arbitration, as
also the additional claims specified in
the fifth paragraph of the preamble
hereto shall be referred to two commits
sioners, one of whom shall be appoint
ed by the president of the United
States and the other by her Britannia
majesty and each of whom shall be
learned in the law.
Appended to this convention is a list
of the claims intended to be referred.
Article 1.-THE two commissioners
shall meet at Victoria in the province
of British Columbia Canada, as soon
as practicable after the exchange OF
the notifications of this convention
and after taking an oath that they will
fairly and impartially investigate the
i claims referred to them and render a
just decision thereon, they shall pro-
Il coed Jointly to the discharge of their
a duties. The commission shall also sit
81 at San Francisco, Cal, as well as Vic
toria, provided either commissioner
shall so request if he shall be of opinion
81. that the interests of justice shall SC
Erequire for reasons to be recorded or
1.-THE minutes.
Hi Article TII-The said commissioners
Ashall determine the liabilities of the
|EJTTnited States if any in raSDecf 10 ea Oh