THE FUR-SEALS AND THE BERING SEA AWARD 57 



five years, having failed, the Secretary of State had no alterna- 

 tive but to fall back upon the five-year clause in the award. 

 ('The sealing season of 1898, the fifth and last under the Paris 

 regulations, was entered upon with no change in the laws. 



Mr. Sherman wrote to Sir Julian Pauncefote February 1, 

 1898: "The President has learned with deep regret that 

 the British Government has declined to adhere to the pro- 

 visional convention and has shown an indisposition to agree 

 to any appropriate measures for the suspension of the killing 

 of seals for the current season. He has therefore directed 

 me to bring to your attention the provision of the award of 

 the Paris Tribunal of 1893, which fixes the period when the 

 regulations adopted by that tribunal should be subjected to a 

 revision, and to ask that an arrangement be agreed upon with 

 as little delay as possible for such revision." 



The sealing season of 1898 being the fifth and last under 

 the regulations, Great Britain at length consented to a review 

 of the laws, in accordance with the provisions of the award. 

 Instead, however, of conducting the negotiations directly 

 between the two powers, it was determined by mutual agree- ,. 

 ment to carry on proceedings between Washington and 

 Ottawa, Canada assuming the responsibility of protecting her 

 own interests. 



As an outgrowth of the visit of the Canadian Premier to 

 Washington in the autumn of 1897, a plan was discussed for 

 a joint Canadian and American commission whose members 

 should be appointed by the executive branches of the two 

 governments. It was proposed to place before this com- 

 mission the numerous subjects of controversy which had 

 arisen between the Dominion and the United States. One 

 of the most important subjects was the sealing question, in- 

 volving the adoption of a new set of regulations. The 

 scheme was favorably received by both parties, and an agree- 

 ment was signed in Washington on May 30, 1898, for the 

 creation of the commission ; its members were announced in 

 July, and the first meetings were held in Quebec the follow- 

 ing August. In October the commission adjourned to reas- 

 semble in Washington on November 1 ; sessions were then 



