302 ORAL ARGUMENT OF CHRISTOPHER ROBINSON, Q. C. 



which it is no use trying to explain. If true, they are discreditable and 

 disgraceiul to the men against whom my learned friends have brought 

 them; and of tliose charges I will only say that Avhile there is no rea- 

 sonable ground for suggesting them on either side, there is at least as 

 much on our side as on that of tlie United States. 



Then I proceed to the question of IkCgulations, speaking of it gener- 

 ally, and I do not propose to go into the matter in detail. I desire to 

 make a few general observations on the subject of Eegulations as regards 

 their extent — by which I mean their area — their purpose, and their 

 character. 



In the first place, as regards the extent of the Eegulations, this in 

 our apprehension is a very imi)()rtaut subject, which has been discussed, 

 and our position indicated, but which perhaps may bear a few more 

 words being said upon it. Now in the tirst place (and it is well to get 

 rid of any charges of that sort at tirst) — my friend Mr. Carter has 

 indicated at all events, if he lias not expressly said, that the taking of 

 such a position indicates want of sincerity on the part of Great Britain. 

 It is better always, to meet charges of that sort at once, and to 

 express exactly the A'iew which you take when such a charge is made. 

 We have no hesitation — no doubt — no difticulty — in taking that posi- 

 tion, becau.'^e from beginning to end, at all times, and now, we have 

 been and are perfectly ready to join with the United States in any 

 reasonable Convention, not to be d( cided by ourselves but to be decided 

 impartially, which will ensure the preservation of the fur-seal in all 

 parts of the world — where they can be found I mean, I am speaking of 

 the Alaskan herd of course — having due regard to the interests involved 

 on the Islands, in Behring Sea, and in the Xorth Pacific Ocean. Our 

 friends have never claimed, and never attempted to exercise any exclu- 

 sive rights south of the Aleutian Islands, any more than we have 

 claimed or would have liad a right to claim in any way exclusive rights 

 or any rights whatever on their islands; and so long as they say: 



We will manage our islands just as we please — we will allow you no 

 voice — no say whatever, in that matter. We will kill as much as we 

 please, in such a manner as we please, in such numbers as we please, 

 and not allow you to have any voice. 



We answer: 



There is no reason in equity or fairness then why You should have 

 any exclusive right in the sea south of the Aleutian Islands. You have 

 never claimed and never have pretended to exercise there any exclusive 

 right whatever. When you are Avilling to submit the whole question to 

 any reasonable arrangement we are, and always have been, perfectly 

 ready to meet it. Our view about the protection of the lur-seals, is 

 founded on the Eeport of the Commissioners, which we ourselves believe. 

 We admit that for the protection of the fur seals efficiently there must 

 be Eegulations on the Islands, in Behring Sea, and in the North Pacific 

 Ocean. They never will be sufficiently protected, and the whole subject 

 never will be efliciently dealt with, until some such arrangement is 

 come to, and we are ready to make it. 



I adopt entirely, so far as my own view is concerned, what I will refer 

 to hereafter — the opinion of Professor Huxley, to which my fi lends seem 

 to attribute some weight on that subject. W^e think his opinion is 

 reasonable. 



The President. — Do you think we are competent under the Treaty, 

 to make such Eegulations'? 



Mr. EoEiNSON. — No, I am not saying that — perhaps you have not 

 quite followed me in the other instance where we think you are not com- 



