88 



and not CanadiaTi subjects in tlie international sense, and in a matter 

 as to wliieli Lis lordship remarked that '' England had a large 

 interest of its own," and that ''until its (Canada's) consent could be 

 obtained Her Majesty's Government was not willing to enter into the 

 convention." 



The propriety of that intervention by Canada was a matter between 

 those Governments, but the embarrassment and damage to the United 

 States was increase'd by the fact that Great Britain thus changed her 

 attitude on these questions without changing Iter vieics of irJiaticaft right 

 in the matter, as to the preservation of the fur seals. Tlie United States 

 were thus forced to abandon further efforts at cooperation with Great 

 Britain and to vindicate their separate rights, and tlie diplomatic dis- 

 cussion was then directed to the property rights of the United States 

 in the fur seals and the " fisheries," and to their rights of jurisdiction to 

 protect and preserve them. 



It was in theinannerl have just stated and under these circumstances, 

 that the United States was forced to yield her efforts for a joint arrange- 

 ment with Great Britain for the x)rotection of the fur seals in Bering 

 Sea, and to fall back upon lier rights as owner of the seals, and of the 

 industry based upon the security of these animals against indiscrimi- 

 nate slaughter. 



The situation was emergent, and the United States acted upon it to 

 save the seal herd and to protect her rights and powers of government, 

 which were indispensable to that high duty, in that remote and pecul- 

 iar region. The sei)arate and independent rights which the United 

 States was thus driven to assert, were: 



First. That she had derived from Eussia, Avith the acquiescence of 

 Great Britain, the exclusive jurisdiction to control and protect the fur 

 seals in Bering Sea. 



This claim has been virtually decided by the tribunal, adversely to 

 the United States, and I will not now discuss it further. 



Second. It was claimed by the United States Government that it is 

 the OAvner of the fur seals that are in Bering Sea or that habitually 

 resort to its waters and islands. 



Tinrd. Thatifits claim of ownershipof the sealscannotbe maintained 

 it has a right of protection of seal life, to be exerted, as far as may be, 

 under its separate powers of sovereignty, and if these are inadequate 

 lor their protection then it has a just claim that Great Britain will 

 restrain her subjects, in conformity with concurrent regulations which 



