155

A.— 2.

Government: Provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall restrict the right of the United States at any time and from time to time to suspend altogether the taking of sealskins on such islands or shores subject to its jurisdiction, and to impose such restrictions and regulations upon the total number of skins to be taken in any season, and the manner and times and places of taking them as may seem necessary to protect and preserve the seal herd or to increase its number. Article 11. The United States further agrees to pay the sum of $200,000 to Great Britain and the sum of $200,000 to Japan when this convention goes into effect, as an advance payment in each case in lieu of such number of fur-seal skins to which Great Britain and Japan respectively would be entitled under the provisions of this convention as would be equivalent in each case to $200,000, reckoned at their market value at London at the date of their delivery before dressing and curing and less cost of transportation from the Pribilof Islands, such market value in case of dispute to be determined by an umpire to be agreed upon by the United States and Great Britain, or by the United States and Japan, as the case may be, which skins shall be retained by the United States in satisfaction of such payments. The United States further agrees that the British and Japanese share respectively of the sealskins taken from the American herd under the terms of this convention shall be not less than one thousand each in any year, even if such number is more than 15 per cent, of the number to which the authorized killing is restricted in such year, unless the killing of seals in such year or years shall have been absolutely prohibited by the United States for all purposes except to supply food, clothing, and boat-skins for the Natives on the islands, in which case the United States agrees to pay to Great Britain and to Japan each the sum of $10,000 annually in lieu of any share of skins during the years when no killing is allowed; and Great Britain agrees, and Japan agrees that, after deducting the skins of their respective shares, which are to be retained by the United States as above provided to reimburse itself for the advance payment aforesaid, the United States shall be entitled to reimburse itself for any annual payments made as herein required, by retaining an additional number of sealskins from the British and Japanese shares respectively over and above the specified minimum allowance of one thousand skins in any subsequent year or years when killing is again resumed, until the whole number of skins retained shall equal—reckoned at their market value determined as above provided for—the entire amount so paid, with interest at the rate of 4 per cent, per annum. If, however, the total number of seals frequenting the United States islands in any year falls below 100,000, enumerated by official count, then all killing, excepting the inconsiderable supply necessary for the support of the Natives as above noted, may be suspended without allowance of skins or payment of money equivalent until the number of such seals again exceeds 100,000, enumerated in like manner. Article 12. It is agreed on the part of Russia that of the total number of sealskins taken annually upon the Commander Islands, or any other island or shores of the waters defined in Article 1 subject to the jurisdiction of Russia to which any seal herds hereafter resort, there shall be delivered at the Commander Islands at the end of each season 15 per cent, gross in number and value thereof to-an authorized agent of the Canadian Government, and 15 per cent, gross in number and value thereof to an authorized agent of the Japanese Government: Provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall restrict the right of Russia at any time and from time to time during the first five years of the term of this convention to suspend altogether the taking of sealskins on such islands or shores subject to its jurisdiction, and to impose during the term of this convention such restrictions and regulations upon the total number of skins to be taken in any season, and the manner and times and places of taking of them, as may seem necessary to preserve and protect the Russian seal herd, or to increase its number; but it is agreed, nevertheless, on the part of Russia that during the last ten years of the term of this convention not less than 5 per cent, of the total number of seals on the Russian rookeries and hauling-grounds will be killed annually, provided that said 5 per cent, does not exceed 85 per cent, of the three-year-old male seals hauling in such year. If, however, the total number of seals frequenting the Russian islands in any year falls below 18,000, enumerated by official count, then the allowance of skins mentioned above and all killing of seals, except as may be necessary for the support of the Natives on the islands, may be suspended until the number of such seals again exceeds 18,000, enumerated in like manner. Article IS. It is agreed on the part of Japan that of the total number of sealskins taken annually upon Kobben Island, or any other islands or shores of the waters defined in Article 1 subject to the jurisdiction of Japan to which any seal herds hereafter resort, there shall be delivered at Robben Island at the end of each season 10 per cent, gross in number and value thereof to an authorized agent of the United States Government, 10 per cent, gross in number and value thereof to an authorized agent of the Canadian Government, and 10 per cent, gross in number and value thereof to an authorized agent of the Russian Government: Provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall restrict the right of Japan at any time and from time to time during the first five years of the term of this convention to suspend altogether the taking of sealskins on such islands or shores subject to its jurisdiction, and to impose during the term of this convention such restrictions and regulations upon the total number of skins to be taken in any season, and the manner and times and places of taking them, as may seem necessary to preserve and