The record-union., 1897-11-23
killing on the Prihylof Islands May be
Suspended for One Year.
The United States, It Is Said, Will
Agree to Such Course, in Case
Great Britain and Canada Con-
sent to the Suspension Of Pc
lagic Sealing for the Same
Length Of Time.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 22.-One of The
most important features of the Behring
Sea negotiations not heretofore dis
closed is that in the event that Great
Britain and Canada consent to a sus-
pension Of pelagic sealing for one year
the United States at the same time " i'll
agree to a suspension of all killing OF
seals for one year on the Pribyloff ISL
ands, constituting the American seal
possessions in Behring Sea.
AS the islands are a part of United
States territory, no question has ever
arisen as to the right 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 a
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 it 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 sealing 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 it was felt that if a sus-
pension of pelagic sealing could be Sc
cured it would be reasonable to concede
a similar suspension within our own
territory
The proposition follows the recon-
mendation of the Paris court of arbi-
tration, which suggested a Temporary
CT %
This brings up the question of the
lease of the North American CONNER
cial Company, giving it the exclusive
right to the seals on the Pribyloff ISL
ands. The lease was made in 1890 for
term of twenty years. Under this
lease the company has taken about t.
QUO seals annually on the islands. The
lease stipulated that not more than
sixty thousand should be taken in
1891. and also provided that no more
seals should be killed annually than
was authorized by the Secretary of the
Treasury.
AS the catch has been far short Of
the expected 10000. a question has
arisen as to the obligation of the com
pany to have it's rental reduced pro
rata. 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 rental of 500 600
a year: also 81 621a for each sealskin
taken and shipped from the island. and
certain tax payments and accommo-
dations for the natives
In the event of an agreement be-
tween the United States. Great Rri-
tain and Canada. the rights of the COM
pany to take seals necessarily would
terminate for year It is said the
right Of eminent domain gives the Gov
ernment authority for vacating the
lease for this period without Difference
to the wishes Of the company. But
aside from this. it is understood that
the company would not stand on anv
technical rights hut would regard the
concessions granted by Canada Of such
great advantage in the preservation Of
the seals as to warrant suspension on
the Pribyloff Islands during the st;p-
ulated one year.