OHLKiATION TO PROTECT THE SEALS. 183 



THE PURPOSE OF THE ARBITRATORS. 



The liiuil provision of the regulations has another feature of importance — it 

 defines the purpose of their formulation. This is "tlie protection and preservation of 

 the fur seals." It is fortunate that the Tribunal of Arbitration placed this matter on 

 record, as otherwise its work in framing these measures would be without justificatiou 

 and its own sincerity could be called into question. Truth enough to condemn every 

 feature of the regulations was placed before the Tribunal, but the real issues were so 

 thoroughly confused by the statements made in opposition that the outcome was a 

 matter of chance. This is the only explanation which can be oftered for the irrecon- 

 cilable ditterence between the evident purpose and the actual achievement of the 

 regulations. 



THE OBLIGATION TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE. 



This statement of the purpose of the Tribunal has another important bearing. It 

 leaves no doubt that the obligation to protect and preserve the fur seals was laid upon 

 the two nations concerned by their acceptance of the decision. From all this it must 

 follow that at the close of the trial period of five years, if not before, the United States 

 and Great Britain must take up seriously the reconsideration of these regulations, 

 and by their emendation or by the substitution of more adequate measures provide 

 for what was plainly the object of the Tribunal of Arbitration, namely, the protection 

 and preservation of the fur-seal herd. 



