Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-08-05
A PRIZE CREW OF ONE.
What is Said of the 'sEscape'' of the
"Black Diamond,

"Biack Diamond"
CAPT SHEPHERD OF THE RUSH WILL BE CALLED
ON TO EXPLAIN WHY HE TRUSTED HIS CAPTURE
TO ONE sEAMAN-HE MAY HAVE BEEN AFTER
OTHER SEAL PIRATES.
It looks as If there was not much for this
government to do about the escape of the
Black Diamond.
1--WE know nothing about it," says the State
department..
1--WE have no official information of the es-
cape," says the Treasury department.. 'That
will have to come through the State depart
ment"
This sums up all either department has to
say. 1t is likely that the U.S. vice consul at
Victoria will report to the State department
the involuntary arrival of the prize crew of One
at Victoria. The Treasury department will be
officially informed; the commander of the Rush
WILL BE ASKED FOR AN EXPLANATION
OF his action in sending the prize away in
charge. and unless there is something culpable
In his conduct, that will end the matter.
That is, it will end the matter until the Black
Diamond is caught in American waters If she
is at any time found in American waters,
whether at the time violating any law or
not, she may be taken in custody as an
escaped prisoner would be. The impression
seems to be that, since she got away because Of
our placing an inadequate crew upon her, we
cannot make any demand upon the British
authorities to turn her over to us; nor is it
likely that the carrying off of our crew of one
can be regarded as an offense to bring about an
international squabble. 1t is usual in taking
prize, to put on her crew sufficient to navi-
gate her.
PRACTICALLY AN ABANDONED PRIZE.
If the Black Diamonds captain had said to
our crew of one:
"Well, we are your prize; take us where
you want to-" that crew would have been help
less to take the vessel anywhere. She was too
big. it is assumed, to have been navigated by
one man without assistance
1t Is suggested that to place the vessel in
charge OF one man was practically to abandon
her, and the old crew could take her in hands
as such. They could not be compelled to navi-
gate the craft, and if they consented to do 30
they were free to take her where they chose.
OTHER SEAL PIRATES.
There does not seem to be anything to do
about it, but to get at it and capture what other
seal pirates we can and, next time, take them
in tow or put upon them crews large enough to
navigate them. II q chance is had at the
Black Diamond again. she may be retaken. but
1t Is not likely that we will attempt to enter a
Canadian port to do SO. 1t may be that the
have not yet heard from.
1t is very strongly intimated that Capt. Shep-
herd OF the Rush was not particularly anxious
to hold the Black Diamond and that was the
reason he put her in charge of one man.
WHAT SUPERINTENDENT BoNNETT SAYS.
Mr.. Bonnett, the superintendent Of the rev.
enue cutter service, says he knows of nothing
in the instructions to the officers in Behring
sea nat would warrant them in winking at the
escape OF the pirates after depriving them of
their plunder.
1t is regarded as more likely that the Rush
was in pursuit of several other lawless sealers
and could not spare the crew for the Black Dia-
mond, SO trusted to their not resisting the au-
thority OF the man placed on board
THE GOVERNMENT WILL PURSUE FIRM COURSE
There seems no reason to draw from this in
cident the conclusion that the United States
does not propose to protect these seal fisheries
A positive policy has certainly been decided
upon and it is likely to be carried out The
purpose of it is not to make trouble with Great
Britain, to retaliate or to bluster, but to break
up the unlawful slaughter of the seals. An ex-
PLANTATION from Capt. Shepherd Of the Rush is
expected and it will be some time before it can
be received. The report of the capture sent by
mail has not yet been received and, of course,
the other will come much later.
ACTING SECRETARY WHARTON
was dSheu uis uOrutnS III the department
had any thing to say respecting the escape
of the Black Diamond. ''The depart
ment," Mr.. Wharton replied, ..has
not yet been advised OF the seizure
of the Black Diamond or any other vessel, has
no news whatever upon the subject and there
fore has no statement to make in regard to its
future action in the matter
Have you seen the statement that it was the
desire to let the Black Diamond escape, after
taking its catch of seals, and, therefore, but
one man was put aboard from the Rush?"
mo" said Mr.. Wharton, II have not seen
that statement and have no means of knowing
that it .is true false" Continuing, MIR.
Wharton said: "Ths whole matter of the seizure
OF these vessels is, so far it has gone
under the control and direction of the
Treasury department.. If there is any blame
attached to the seizure it must be
LAID AT THE DOOR OF CONGRESS-.
It passed a law directing the President to issue
his proclamation extending to the American
waters in Behring sea the same
protection over the salt water fur-bearing
animals as is accorded the fur-bearing inhab-
itants of Alaska and the maker thereof by the
general act on fisheries, and that law is simply
being enforced. That is what we are here
or-to carry out the laws that Congress
enacts. So far this question has not become an
international one. The State department has
not been informed officially of any part of the
proceeding and therefore has nothing to act