The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-11-23
SUSPENSION OF SEALING.
THIS NATION WOULD BE INCLUDED
IN THE AGREEMENT.

Under the Arrangement the North
american COMMERCIAL Company
WouId Have to Suspend Operations
ON the PribyIOfT Islands For the
Term Named-Canadians Took the
Ground That 1t Would Be Inequita-
HE to Ask Them to Suspend Oper-
ottOns while Americans Continued
sealing in the Inner Waters.
washington, Nov. 22.-One of the most
in,nortant features of the Boring sea ne
sotiations not heretofore disclosed is that
in the event that Great Britain and Can
ada consent to a suspension of pelagic
sealing. for one year, the United States at
the same time shall agree to a suspension
Of all killing of seals for one year on the
Pribyloff islands, constituting the Ameri-
can seal possessions in Boring sea. AS the
Islands are part of the United States no
question has ever arisen as to the right
of the United States to do as it chose to
the seals while on land and within three
miles of the shore; the three miles being
a part of the island according to interna-
tional law. During the recent negotia-
if any suspension was to occur it would be
ipequitable to ask them to suspend sealing
40 the outer waters, while at the same time
the United States persisted in sealing in
the inner waters and on land. The con-
tention of the United States was primarily
for the suspension of pelagic sealing, but
under the exigency of the case it was felt
of
could be secured it would be reasonable to
oonecde a similar suspension within our
own territory. 1t is in this form that the
formal propositions took shape. The
American proposition includes the Priby-
loft islands in the proposed one year sus-
pension, so that if Canada agrees to the
suspension it will apply to those islands,
as well as to the high seas. The propo-
sition follows the recommendation of the
Paris court of arbitration which suggest
ed a temporary suspension of sealing on
land and sea.
This brings up the question of the lease
Of the North American Commercial Com
pany giving it the exclusive right to take
seals on the Pribyloff Islands. The lease
was made in 1890 for term of twenty
years. Under this lease the company has
taken about 5000 seals annually on the
islands. The lease stipulated that not
more than $1,000 should be taken in 1891,
and also provided that no more seals
should be killed annually than was au-
thorized by the Secretary of the Treas
ury AS the catch has been far short of
the expected 10000, a question had 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; Secretary Olney,
when Attorney General, gave an opinion
against it. By mutual consent, a test case
was made up, and is now pending in the
United States supreme court. The lease
provides a rental of $6G, 600 a year, also
$7621a for each seal skin taken and ship
ped from the islands and certain tax pay
ments and accommodations for the ma
tives. In the event of an agreement be.
tween the United States, Great Britain
and Canada, the rights of the company tC
take seals necessarily would terminate fOl
year. 1t is said the right of eminent
domain gives the government authority
for vacating the lease for this period with
out Difference to the wishes of the com
pany. But aside from this it is understood
that the company would not stand on any
technical rights but would regard tn,
concessions granted by Canada of sucf
great advantage in the preservation of tht
seal as to warrant a suspension on thu
Pribyloff Islands during the stipulated on,
year.