Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 September 1893 — TO PRESERVE THE SEALS. [ARTICLE]

TO PRESERVE THE SEALS.

Decision in the Behring Sea Arbitration. The Behring Sea arbitration decision was announced last Tuesday morning, and it was adverse to the claims of the United States on every point; but by the adoption of regulations os to seal fishing by vessels of the United States and Great Britain, the United States Sains a point for which it haa striven in iplomatic correspondence for many year, namely, the actual preservation of the seals. Not only 1b pelagic sealing prohibited within sixty miles of the Pribvlov Islands at all times, but practically it is only permitted to the citizens of tho United States and Great Britain in the Behring Sea or North Pacific Ocean for one month each year, the month of August. It is always unprofitable after that month. Moreover, the use of firearms in the capture of seals is absolutely prohibited in the Behring Sea. Shotguns may be used in the Pacific outside the limit only in the months when pelagic sealing is to be permitted. This means, in other words, that all profitable pelagic sealing is stopped henceforth, for only by the use of firearms in the months of May, June, July and August, are seals captured. It will be lawful hereafter to use shotguns in their capture only in the North Pacific Ocean sixty miles from land and only after July 81st of each year. The arbitrators decide that the BehrlDg Sea is an open sea, and that the United States did not purchase this sea when Alaska was purchased. They decide that Russia did not claim exclusive jurisdiction, and that Great Britain never recognized it. They also decide that the United States has no property right in the seals outside the usual three-mile limit, against the assertion whioh the American counsel made and argued strenuously for several days. But, by the adoption of the regulations, they prsotically concede to the United S ates some oontrol, for the seals may not be killed outside the n#w sixty-mile limit from May Ist to July 81st; nor at any time may they be killed within sixty miles of the Pribylov Islands. The question of reparation for the seizures and confiscations by the United States, ai well as the damages for the close season, has not been fixed.