222 



But, as our views are not accepted by the Tribunal, the question is 

 presented whether the report made by Baron de Courcel, Marquis Yis- 

 conti-Venosta and His Excellency M. Gram, shall receive our support. 

 UlDon mature reflection, we have concluded to vote in favor of the scheme 

 of regulations recommended by those Arbitrators, although it contains 

 some provisions not acceptable to us. It establishes a zone of 60 miles 

 around the Pribilof Islands, inclusive of territorial waters, within 

 which the taking of seals at any time by the citizens or subjects of 

 either country is to be prohibited. It establishes a closed season, between 

 April 15 and July 31, both inclusive, for all the waters, both of the 

 North Pacific Ocean and of Bering Sea, north of the thirty-fifth degree 

 of north latitutie. It allows only sailing vessels to take -pnvt in fur 

 seal fishing operations. It forbids the use of nets, firearms, and 

 explosives in fur seal fishing, with the exception of the shotgun in 

 the North Pacific Ocean prior to April 15. While it permits a new 

 examination, by the two Governments, every five years, of the proiiosed 

 regulations, to ascertain whether there is any occasion to modify them, 

 the regulations now proposed, if adopted, are to remain in force until 

 they shall have been, in whole or in part, abolished or modified by "com- 

 mon agreement" between the two nations. The features of this scheme 

 that are chiefly objectionable are these: (1) It permits pelagic seal- 

 ing with shotguns, in the North Pacific Ocean, prior to April 15; (2) 

 it allows pelagic sealing, after July 31, in Bering Sea, with harpoons 

 and si^ears. Notwithstanding these defects in the scheme, there is a 

 hope, though not a certainty, that this race may under the regulations 

 so proposed, escape destruction at the hands of pelagic sealers. For 

 that reason, and in the interest of peace between the two nations. Sena- 

 tor Morgan and myself have determined to give our votes in support of 

 this scheme, as the best solution likely to be obtained from the Tribunal 

 of the question of regulations. 



(Protocol LIV will show the votes in Couferonce upon the several resolutions, mo- 

 tions, aud plans presented by Arbitrators, relating to regulations, and also votes 

 upon different amendments made in the scheme of Eegulatit)ns proposed by Baron 

 de Courcel, Marc[ui8 Visconti-Veuosta and His Excellency M. Gram.) 



