Evening journal., 1897-11-23
THE THE SEAL ST QUESTION
New Developments In Bering
Sea Controversy.
A SUSPENSION FOR TWELVE MONTHS.
Great Britain and Canads Agree TO Dis
continue Poiagic Sealing II the United
states susrends the killing OF
Seals on Che pribIof Isiands.

WASHINGTON. Nov 2S.- ono OF the
most important features OF the Bering
sea negotiations not heretofore dis
closed is that In the event Great Britain
and Canada consent TO a suspension of
pelagic sealing for one year, the United
States at the same time will agree 20
suspension Of all killing Of seals for one
year on the PriblOf islands. consti-
tutng the American seal possessions
In Bering sea. As the islands are part
of the United States territory, no ques-
ton has ever arisen as TO the right OF
the United States to do as il chose as
10 the seals on land and within three
miles of the shore the three miles being
part of the island. according.to inter-
national law. During the recent nego-
tiations. the Canadian government took
the ground that II any suspension was
to occur, it would be inequitable TO ask
them to suspend sealing in 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 prlma-
rily for the suspension of pelagic seal
ing, but under the eXigency Of the case
II was felt that II a suspension Of pc
lagic sealing could be secured 1t would
be reasonable TO concede a similar sus-
pension within our own territory. 1t
was In this form that the final PROPOSE
tions took shape.
The American proposition includes
the Pribilof islands in the proposed one
year suspension, 50 that II Canada
agrees to the suspension it will apply
to those islands as well as TO the high
seas. The proposition follows the rec
ommendation of the Paris court of ar
oitration. which suggested a temporary
suspension of sealing on land and sea.
This brings up the question of the
: ease Of the North American CONNER
rial company giving il the exclusive
right to take seals on the Prbhof is
/ lands. The lease was made in 1890 for
q term Of 20 years. Under this lease
the company has taken about 10000
seals annually on the islands. The
lease stipulated that not more than
so 900 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 ex-
pected 10000, q question has arisen as
to the obligation of the company to
have it's rental reduced pro rata
Attorney General Miller gave an opin-
/ ion In favor of the reduction. Secreta-
~ Olney when attorney general gave
an opinion against IL. BY mutual con-
sent test case was made up and IS
now pending in the United States SUI
preme court. The lease provides for a
rental Of 100000 n year. also. $7.62h for
each sealsllin taken and shipped from
the islands and certain tax payments
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 would necessarily terminate
for a year. It is said the right Of emi-
nent domain gives the government au-
thority for vacating the lease for this
period without reference TO the wishes
of the company. But aside from this
II is understood that the company
would not stand on any technical
rights. but would regard the conces-
sions granted by Canada Of such great
advantage in the preservation of the
seals as to warrant a suspension on the
Pribilof islands during the stipulated
one year.