Salt Lake Herald | 1891-05-17 | Page 2 | The Behring Sea Controversy

Tho Bclirlng Sea Controversy A statement by Minister Phelps appears ap-pears in Harpers of the controversy between be-tween the United States and Great Britain After showing the extent of the destruction of seal life in the open sea surrounding the Pribyloff islands through the Canadian intrusions so great that during the past four years fourfitths of the revenue from an important im-portant American industry has disappeared disap-peared Mr Phelps exposes the wanton and wasteful character of this destruction destruc-tion as contrary to the ordinary dictates of humanity as it is to the requirements of self interest He shows that the convention con-vention proposed during President Cleve lands administration for the protection of seals during their breeding period was thwarted by the objections of Canada whose citizens were obtaining a certain L profit from their depredations wasteful Las L-as these were The question now presented is says Mr Phelps whether the United States government has a right to protect its 3 property and the business of its people from this wanton and barbarous destruction de-struction by foreigners which it hi made criminal by act of congress or whether tho fact that it takes place upon waters that are claimed to be a part of the open sea affords an immunity to the parties engaged in it which the government govern-ment is bound to respect