13 



as a full, perfect, aud final settlement of all the questions referred to 

 tlie Arbitrators." 



Throughout the whole of the negotiations resulting in the treaty, 

 the two Governments, by their accredited representatives, expressed 

 an earnest desire for the proper protection and preservation of the fur 

 seals which had their breeding grounds on Pribilof Islands in Bering 

 Sea, as well as their willingness to unite in the enforcement against 

 their respective citizens or subjects of all measures found necessary to 

 prevent the extermination of that race of animals. Tlie record before 

 us furnishes conclusive evidence of these facts. 



As early as November 12, 1887, Mr. Phelps, United States Minister 



severally, to each Govei-uuient on any poiuts upon which they may be unable to 

 agree. 



These reports shall not be made public until they shall be submitted to the arbi- 

 trators, or it shall appear that the contingency of their being used by the arbitra- 

 tors can not arise. 



AitT. X. Each Government shall pay the expenses of its members of the joint 

 commission in the investigation referred to in the preceding article. 



AuT. XI. The decisions of the tribunal shall, if possible, be made witliin three 

 months from the close of the argument on both sides. 



It sh.all be made in writing and dated, and shall bo signed by the arbitrators who 

 may assent to it. 



Tile decision shall be in duplicate, one copy whereof shall be delivered to the agent 

 of tlie United States for his Govcrumeiit, aud the other copy shall be delivered to tlie 

 agent of Great Britain for his Government. 



AitT. XII. P^acli Government shall pay its own agents and provide for the proper 

 remuneration of the counsel employed by it, and of the arbitrators appointed by 

 it, and ibr the expense of preparing and submitting its case to the tribunal. All 

 other (expenses connected with the arbitration shall be defrayed by the two Govern- 

 ment iiie(]ual moieties. 



Art. XIII. Tlie arbitrators shall keep an accurate record of their proceedings, 

 and may appoint and employ the necessary officers to assist them. 



Art. XIV. The High Contracting Parties engaged to consider the result of the pro- 

 ceedings of the tribunal of arbitration, as a full, perfect, and final settlement of all 

 the questions referred to the arbitrators. 



Art. XV. The present treaty shall be duly ratified by the President of the United 

 ■States of America, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate thereof, and 

 by Her Britannic Majesty ; and the ratification shall be exchanged either at Wash- 

 ington or at London within six months from the date hereof, or earlier if possible. 



In faith whereof we, the respective Plenipotentiaries, have signed this treaty and 

 have hereunto affixed our seals. 



Done in duplicate at Washington the twenty-ninth day of February, one thousand 

 eight hundred and ninety-two. Jamks G. Blaink. [skal.] 



JuLiAX Pauncefotb. [seal.] 



