The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-06

States has claimed end exercised are
set forth in the statutes relat-
ing TO the killing Of fur seals
All these rights which have been
exercised since the purchase OF Alaska
were reasserted, and in a more emphatic
form than ever, in law which was only
recently published. and which assumed
that the Claim OF the British Government
TO fish in those waters is without founda-
ton. The penalty affixed to these United
States statutes which prohibit seal killing
is fine and imprisonment and coniiscation
Of vessels, their apparel, and furniture.
The object OF these laws had been, first,
10 protect the valuable fur-seal industry,
upon which the entire population OF the
island depends for subsistence, and second,
TO secure the United States perpetual
revenue therefrom. Thecommittee which
made the inquiry last winter came TO the
conclusion that 10 prohibit seal killing on
the seal islands and 10 permit the killing
in Behring Sea would be no protection,
for Il is not on the islands where the de-
struclon of seal life IL threatened or seals
are unlawiully killed, but Il is In that part
OF Behring Sea lying between the east
ern and western limit Of Alaska, as de-
scribed In the treaty OF cession, through
which the seals pass and repass going 10
and from their ieeding.ground, some fifty
miles soulheast OF the rookeries, and
in their annual migration 10 and
| from the islands. This was known 10
/ Congress when the act entitled "An act 10
prevent the determination Of fur bearing
/ In Alaska" WIS passed, for in that act rs
well as the preceding and subsequent acts
in reference to Alaska Congress expressly
asserted our jurisdiction over the marine
territory acquired by the purchase rs well
~ over the land, and extended the laws Of
the United States over the entire territory
embraced within the boundaries specified
/ in the treaty, rs will appear from the text
oi all the enactmcnts OF Congress upon this
subject since that Of July "a. 1858.
The islands Of 81 Paul and 81. George
In Alaska, which are declared n special
reservation for Government purposes, and
which arc much irequenied by the seals,
are situated near the center Of what Mr..
Sumner designated ''our part OF Bchring
sea-" The difference between the British
Government and that Of the United States
is wholly oneoi boundary. In other words.
the eastern limit OF the territory coded 10
the United States Is the boundary between
the British aud Russian possessions, and
the western limit line running in a
southwcsterly direction from the frozen
ocean through Behring Straits and lIeh.
rings Sea to the North Pacific Ocean,
thus dividing Behring Sea into two distinct
and separate parts. The northern boun-
Diary Is the frozen ocean. and the southern
the southern coast Of the Alcutian chain
OF islands. These arc ''tho limits Of
Alaska Territory" M laid down In the
treaty, our title deed; the boundary Of the
Territory referred 10 In the act appropriate
ing the purchase money, and repeated in
section 1850 Revised Statutes which pro-
hibits tho killing Of fur seals within the
limits OF Alaska Territory"
IL seems clear 10 the committee that the
act prohibiting the killing Of fur seals
within the limits Of Alaska Territory wa
intended 10 apply 10 all the acquired terri.
tory, land and water, embraced within
''the limits" specified In the treaty OF cos'
sion, Just a. the laws relating 10 customs
commerce and navigation and 10 trade and
commerce with tho Indian tribes were, by
the acts Just referred 70, extended oyei
"all States by the Emperor OF Russia
Tho Territory OF Alaska consists OF lanJ
and water. Exclusive Of all its lakes
rivers, harbon and inleis thorc Ia a larg
! area Of marine territory which lies outside
of the threc.milo limit from shore, but i
within the boundary lines Of the territor!
transferred by Russia 10 the United States