The herald., 1897-11-23
Will Be Obtained at Some
Sacrifice
THE SUSPENSION OF SEALING
MUST INCLUDE THE HERDS ON
THE PRIBYLOFFs
The Lessees Of tho Islands Not Ex-
pectcd to Find Fault With the
Arrangement
Associated Press Special Wire.


WASHINGTON. Nov. Clone OF the
most important features Of the Bering
sea negotiations not heretofore disclosed
is that in the event that Great Britain
and Canada consent to suspension of
pelagic sealing for one year, the United
States at the same time will agree to a
suspension of all killing Of seals for
one year on the Pribyloif islands, consti-
tuting the American seal possessions in
Bering sea. AS the islands are q part
OF United States territory no question
has ever arisen as to the righo of the
United States to do as they chose to the
seals while on land and within three
miles Of the shore, the three miles being
q part of the islands according to inter-
national law.
During the recent negotiations the
Canadians took the ground that If any
suspension was to occur 1t will be in
equitable to ask them to suspend seal
ing In the outer waters while at the same
time the United States persisted in seal
ing in the inner waters and on land.
The contention of the United States
was primarily for the suspension of
pelagic sealing, but under the exigency
Of the case 1t was felt that II suspen-
sion of pelagic scaling could be secured
1t would be reasonable to concede
similar suspension within our own ter
ritory.
The proposition follows the recon-
mendation of the Paris court of arbi-
tration, which suggested temporary
suspension Of sealing on land and sea.
This mi iuu hn oc f1,o
lease to the North American CONNER
cial company giving 1t the exclusive
right to the seals on the Pribyloff
islands. The lease was made In 1890 for
term of twenty years. Under this
lease the company has taken out about
10000 seals annually on the islands. The
lease stipulated that not more than
10000 be taken in 1891, and also provided
that no more seals be killed annually
than was authorized by the secretary of
the treasury. AS the catch has been
short of the expected 10000 a question
has arisen as to the obligation OF the
company to have its rental reduced pro
rata. Attorney General Miller gave an
opinion in favor OF the reduction; Sec
retary Olney when attorney general
gave an opinion against it. BY mutual
COHScuI u test case WIS II1uQe up ana
is now pending in the United States
supreme court. The lease provides a
rental Of 100000 year; also s7.621a
for each sealskin taken and shipped
from the island, and certain tax pay
ments and accommodations for the
natives.
In the event of an agreement between
the United States, Great Britain and
Canada the rights of the company to
take seals necessarily would terminate
for year. 1t is said the right of emi-
nent domain gives the government au-
thority for vacating the lease for this
period without Difference to the wishes
Of the company. But aside from this
1t is understood that the company would
not stand on any technical rights, but
would regard the concessions granted
by Canada of such advantage in the
preservation of the seals as to warrant
u suspension Of sealing on the Pribyloff
islands during the stipulated one year.