62 PROTOCOLS. 



The arbitrators then proceeded to eotisider article 1 of this draft. 



Sir Jolm Thompson moved, as an amendment, that the i)rohibited 

 zone around the Pribih)f Ishmds be 30 miles, inclnding territorial 

 waters. 



This amendment was rejected by tlie vote of a majority, comi)osed of 

 Baron de Gourcel, Mr. Justice Harlan, Senator Morgan, Maripiis 

 Visconti Yenosta, and Mr. Gre.uers Gram. Lord Hannen declared 

 that, after much hesitation, and although considering that serious 

 reasons recommended the adoption of a zone of 30 miles, he adhered 

 to the vote of the majority. 



The text of article 1 was adojjted in conformity witli the draft by all 

 the arbitrators with the exc-eption of Sir John Thompson. 



As to article 2, Sir John Thompson moved the following amendment: 



"That the date of April 3 5th, mentioned in the draft, be changed to 

 May 1st," and stated at lengtli his views in support of the amendment. 



Mr. Justice Harlan and Senator Morgan voted against this amend- 

 ment. They 'concurred in stating that the proper i)r()tection and preser- 

 vation of these fur seals could not be certainly secured except by a pro- 

 hibition of pelagic sealing in all the waters traversed by those animals 

 north of 350 of north latitude and east of 180° of longitude from Green- 

 wich. But as the closed time from April 15th to July 31st, in connec- 

 tion with other provisions, gave some hope that this race might be 

 saved from destruction by pelagic sealing, and as that period had been 

 recomiiiended by the arbitrators from France, Italy, and ]S"orway, they 

 had, in the interest of conciliation only, expressed their willingness to 

 accept the clcsedtime proi)osed by Baron de Gourcel, Marquis Visconti 

 Venosta, and Mr. Gregers Gram in the original draft submitted by 

 them, Bnt they objected to the i)roi)osed change from April 15th to 

 May 1st as one that would put in peril the existence of this race of 

 animals, and teiul to defeat its proper protection and preservation. 

 The duty of the Tribunal, they said, was to prescribe such regidations 

 as would properly protect and preserve this race, whatever eifect such 

 regulations might have upon the business of pelagic sealing. 



The anuMidment presented by Sir rlohn Thompson was sustained by 

 Lord Hannen, Marquis Visconti Venosta, antl Mr. Gregers Gram, 



Baron de Gourcel declared that he seriously objected to an extension 

 of the season open to pelagic sealing during the spring, because it was 

 during that season that ])elagic sealing, attacking pregiumt females, 

 was most destructive; nevertheless he thought proper to vote for the 

 amendment of Sir John Thompson in a spirit of conciliation and so 

 as to secure in its general outlines the adoption of the draft actually 

 submitted to the consideration of the arbitrators, and whicli he is not 

 unaware imposes strict limitations upon the taking of fur seals on the 

 high sea. 



In consetpience, the aiuendiuent of Sir John Thom[)son to insert th" 

 date of ^lay 1st instead of tiiat of Ai)ril 15th in article 2 was adopted. 



