New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-05-30
Cruisers IN BERRLNG SEA.

THE British Government has yielded TO
nreSsure from Ottawa and orc d fleet OF
three vessels to Behring Sea. The recent de-
hate in the Dominion Parliament was enlvened
with so many sarcaSms ut the expense of the
imperial authorities and weighted with such
vigorous pleas for independent nationality that
n naval demonstration has been directed from
London. The flagship Swiftsure, with inc
Amphion and another vessel, is to sail on June
10 for q cruise in the northern waters where
the American revenue cutters Bear, lhets anu
Rush are under orders TO seize vessels, whether
sailing under the American or foreign nag
which may be caught in the act OF taking sea-
in violation Of the United States statutes The
Canadian poachers. embOdened by the presence
of the armored cruiser with ten l2-ton guns
and two cOnsortS, will undoubtedly swarm IN
those waters during the approaching season
The revenue cutters will not lack occupation
if they seriously undertake 10 enforce the Pres-
idents recent proclamation. VIII they be IN
terfered with In the performance OF their duty
The Canadian inference drawn from the sailing
Of the feet is that the Admiral will not allow
any British vessel to be seized outside tho
three mile shore line Of Alaska. 1t ia more
feHNOnaDiG 10 COHCluuS budl pbC hoN"i NNh-
onstration is designed mainly for appearances
and that no attempt will be made to prevent
the enforcement OF the United States statute
laws.
So far as the commercial aspects OF the case
are concerned. Great Britain has no ground
for complaint if the United States Government
persists in protecting the fur-seal trade. While
the seal are taken by an American company
at the breeding place in the Pribylov Islands
the skins are dyed in England, 20 that tho
profits of the industry are evenly shared by the
two countries. Moreover, there cannot be two
opinions respecting the necessity for stringent
regulation of the annual slaughter Of seal.
Behring Sea is the best sealing ground in the
world, but II indiscriminate hunting be allowed
one of the most useful and valuable furs will
speedily become unknown The seal, aftor
passing the Aleutian chain in the spring heads
directly for the island of ST. Paul and remains
there during the breeding season. Poachers
have only to follow the warm current from the
Aleutian Islands in order TO be in the track Of
! the seal and by prematurely killing the cows
| they can interrupt the process Of breeding and
| succeed in rapidly eXterminating these animals.
| On the island no seal are captured until after
| the pups are born and reared The number
killed is limited by law and precautions arc
taken to slaughter the bulls in preference 10
| the COWS. In consequence Of the restrictions
| imposed on seal-hunting and the prohibition
Of shooting during the SEASON when this timid
animal is approaching the Pribylov Islands, the
annual droves. instead Of thinning out arc
steadily increasing in number. Indiscriminate
poaching and slaughter in Behring Sea would
speedily involve the extinction Of the valuable
fur species, for the sCS found in tho North
| Atlantic belong 10 an inferior branch OF the
family and are not taken for their skins but
| for oil.
II is mainly for the purpose OF regulating
seal hunting that the revenue cutters enforce
the statute laws Of the United States in thosc
waters ard the British Government can hardly
fail to recognize the wisdom and necessity Of
protecting the seal-fur industry in this way
The right Of exclusive jurisdiction over those
waters may not be conceded, but the expedi
ency Of preventing the determination Of the
fur-seal will not be contrayerted II is not
probable that the British Admiral will receive
instructions TO interfere with the legitimat,
/ operations of the revenue cutters. lie Is more
likely TO caution Canadian sealers against il
legal fishing, and TO warn them that if they
violate the laws Of the United States they neeC
expect no protection from British men Of war
but must seek compensation for seizure in the
courts or through diplomatic agencies.