The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-11-23
IMPORTANT FEATURES
OF BsrinE Sea Negotiations In Regard tc
Pslagie Sealing.

Pslagie Sealing.
WASHINGTON. D. c., Nov, 22.--one
OF the most important features OF the
Berlng sea negotiations not heretofore
disclosed is that in the event that
Great Britain and Canada consent to a
suspension OF pelaglc sealing for one
year the United States at the same
time will agree to q suspension OF all
killing OF seals for one year on the
Prlbyloff islands, constituting the
American seal possessions I'm Bering
sea.,,-As .the-islands are part OF ,lni-
ted States territory no question has
ever arisen as to the right OF the Uni
ted States to do as It chose rs TO the
seals while on land and within three
miles OF the shore; the three miles be-
ing a part OF the islands according to In
ternational law.
During the recent negotiations the
Canadians took the ground that II any
suspension was to occur II would be in
equitable to ask them 20 suspend seal
Ing in the outer waters, while at the
same tlme 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 exi-
gency OF the case II was felt that II q
suspension OF pelaglc sealing could be
secured Il would be reasonable to con-
cede similar suspension within our
territory. II was in this form that the
final propositions took shape. The
American proposition includes the
Pribyloff islands In the proposed one
year suspension so that II Canada
agrees to suspension II will apply TO
ahose islands ns well as to the high
seas. The proposition follows the rec
ommendation OF the Paris court OF ar
bitratlon which suggested temporary
suspension of sealing on land and sea.
This brings up the question OF the
lease OF the North American CONNER
cial Company, giving It the exclusive
right to take seals on the Pribyloh Is
lands. The lease was made in 1890,
for a term OF twenty years. Under this
lease the company has taken about 49,
900 seals annually on the Islands. The
lease stipulated that not more than 60-
900 should be taken in 1891 and also pro-
yifed that no more seals should be kill
ed annually than was authorized by
the secretary OF the treasury. AS the
catch has been far short OF the expect
ed $1,000, question has arisen as to the
Obligation OF the company 20 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 H. BY mutual
consent n test case was made no and
Ia now pending In the United states su-
preme court. The lease provides a rem
tai OF 100000 year, also 81 62h for
each seafsifn taken and shipped from
the islands and certain tax payments
and accommodation for tho natives,
In the event OF an agreement be-
tween the United States, Great Britain
and Canada, The right OF tho company
10 take seals necessarily would terml-
nate for yenr, II Ia said the right of
eminent domain gives the government
authority for vacatinR the lease for
this period without reference to tle
wishes of the company, But aside from
this Il is understood that the company
would not stand on any technical
rights, but would regard the concess-
ions granted by Canada Of such great
advantage in the preservation Of the
seals ms 10 warrant suspension on the
prlbyloft islands during the stipulated
ona vNuP