ARGIBIENT OF GREAT BRITAIN. 61 



It is therefore to be noted that the original proposition, 

 emanatiug from the President of the United States, viz., 

 that the establisliment of a protective zone, within wliich 

 the killing- of seals shonld be prohibited between certiiin 

 specified dates, was snggested as being an effective mode 

 of preserving the seal fisheries for the nse of the civilized 

 world, and it is contended, on belialf of the British Gov- 

 ernment, that farther investigation and examination of the 

 facts fully justify the view that Eegulations of this char- 

 acter, but establishing a zone of smaller area, would suffice 

 so far as pelagic sealing is concerned. 



69 Even assuming a point which is open to consider- 

 able doubt, viz., that some of the seals still suckling 



their young travel to parts of Beluing Sea at considera- 

 ble distances from the Pribyloif Islands, by far the greater 

 majority, if not the whole, of such female seals will be 

 found within a zone of more moderate area. 



It is established that the seals, whatever may be the 

 cause of their leaving the islands, do not habitually or 

 regularly go in searcli of food. Food, am])le for their 

 wants, is to be found in the vicinity of the islands, but all 

 the best information j)oiuts to the fact that they do not feed 

 during the main period of their sojourn on land. In addi- 

 tion, the prohibition of the killing of seals during July 

 and August, within the protected zone, would insure that 

 the vast majority, if not all, of the female seals actually 

 suckling their young, w^ould be free from capture by 

 pelagic sealing during such time as the pups are depend- 

 ent upon them. 



It is unnecessary to discuss in detail the minor Regula- 

 tions which have been suggested as to the means of pelagic 

 capture, and as to the due authentication of all licensed 

 sealing vessels. These are matters on which lengthened 

 argument would be out of place here. 



It is, however, obvious that the adoption of such Regu- 

 lations, and the enforcement of legislation in order to ren- 

 der them e^tfective, does involve the curtailment of rights 

 which, upon the hypothesis which forms the basis of this 

 argument, now belong to other nationals, including British 

 subjects. 



The object of any Regulations is the proper protection 

 and preservation of the fur-seal in, or habitually resorting 

 to Behring Sea. It would be unjust that other nations 

 should be asked to enforce by legislation this curtailment 

 of the rights of their nationals, without some corresponding 

 concession on the part of the United States, as owners of 

 the islands and the territorial waters thereof. 



That during a great portion of the year the seals are feed- 

 ing upon fish Avhich are valuable for the food of man ni)on 

 the coasts of the territory of Great Britain, and other na- 

 tions, cannot be denied. 



That during other portions of the year they are 



70 consuming fish that are swimming in the high seas, 

 in which all nations have an interest, is conceded. 



