The San Francisco call., 1897-11-23
THIS WOULD
SAVE SEALS
Uncle Sam Willing to
Suspend Killing for
One Year.
An important Offer In the
Negotiations to Preserve
the Herds.
Contract of the North American
Comm erc!al Company Might
Cause Soma Trouble.
Special Dispatch to THE CALL
CALL OFFICE, RIGGs HOUSE, !
wv ASarNcr,nN Nov %

CALL OFFICE. RIGGs House,
WASHINGTON, Nov. %.
One of the most important features OF
the Boring Sea negotiations not heretofore
disclosed is that in the event that Great
Britain and Canada consent to a suspen-
5 on of pelagic sealing for one year the
United States, al the same time, will agree
TO a suspension of all killing of seals for
one year on the Prybyloff Islands, consti-
uting the American seal possessions in
'Bering Sea. As the islands are part of
United States territory no question has
ever arisen as to the right of the United
States to do as it chooses TO the seals
while on land and within three miles OF
the shore, the three miles being part of
the islands, according to internationa al
law.
During the recent negotiations the Can
adams took the ground that if any sus-
pension was to occur it will be inequitble
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 contention
of the United States was primarily for the
suspension of peIagic sealing, but under
the exigency of the case it was felt that if
a suspension of pelagic sealing could be
secured it would be reasonable TO concede
a similar suspension within our own terri
tory.
The proposition follows the recommen-
dation of the Paris court of arbitration,
which suggested temporary suspension
of sealing on land and sea.
This brings up the question of the lease
of the North American Com mercial Com
panv giving it the exclusive right to the
seals on the Pribyoff Islands. The lease
was made in 1890. for tie rm of twenty
years. Under this lease the com pany las
taken about 5000 seals annually on the
islands. The lease stipulated that not
more than $4,000 should be taken in 1891,
and also provided that no more seals
should be killed annually than was au-
thorizeG by the Secretary OF the Treasury.
AS the catch has been far short of the ex-
pected go 900 question has arisen as TO
the obligation OF the company to have It's
rem tai reduced pro rata.
Attorney General Miller gave an opin-
ion 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 rem tai of $50, 600 a year,
also ~ 621z Tor each sealskin taken and
shipped from the island, and ce tain tax
payments and ccommodations for the
natives.
In the event of an agreement between
the United States, Great Britain and Can
ad a, the rights of The company to take
seals neces, ,arily would terminate for
year. 1t is said the right of eminent do
main gives the Government authority Tor
vaca ting the lease for this period without
Difference to the wishes of the ccmp pany
But aside from this, II is understood that
the company would not stand on any
technical rights, but would regard the
concessions granted by Canada OF such
great advantage in the preservation OF the