OBLIGATION TO PROTECT THE SEALS. 183 
THE PURPOSE OF THE ARBITRATORS. 
The final provision of the regulations has another feature of importance—it 
defines the purpose of their formulation. This is “the 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 justification 
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 offered for the irrecon- 
cilable difference 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. 
