THE FISHERIES ON THE HIGH SEAS 395 



birds and fish in Africa, which was signed in London on May 19, 1900, 

 by France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Portugal, Spain and the 

 Kongo Free State. 



And at this time when the preservation of natural resources is re- 

 ceiving so much attention, what subject more worthy of consideration 

 than the economic conservation of the resources of the seas? A 

 brotherhood of great nations arranging not the partition of nature's 

 inheritance among themselves for speedy waste and despoilment, but 

 the preservation of that inheritance for beneficial use in common by 

 all the people of the earth; each to draw upon that storehouse of 

 weal tli only in accordance with the common welfare of all, for the 

 sustenance of its citizens, for the comfort of its people and for the ad- 

 vancement of civilization throughout the world. 



