Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-08-27
Running THE SEAL FISHERIES.
Canadian Marauders in Behring Sea Ex-
terminating the Ro0keries.

A Rutlant VI, special to the New York World
says: DR.. Henry b. Mcintyre Of West Randolph,
Vt, superintendent Of fisheries Of the Alaska
commercial company, expressed his views Of
the condition of the fisheries question in an
interview with World correspondent today
He says that the Canadian sealers arranged be-
fore leaving Victoria to rendezvous at Sand
Point 0unaga Island where there il neither
port Of entry nor customs officer. There they
transfer their seslskins to the steam-tender
wanderer, sent from Victoria for that purpose.
"These Canadian marauders have greatly in
jured the seal fisheries during the past few
years, said DR.. Mcintyre, Tho number of
seals on the islands We estimate at nearly one
third less than six years ago, when the maraud-
ers began their work in Behring sea. Prior to
area and density Of the rookeries. The killing
OF 100000 seals per annum was contemplated
by an act OF Congress, but this number has been
fully doubled by the depredations of Canadian
fishermen. This Is more than the rookeries can
stand. am Of the opinion that there should
not be more than 1000 or SO, 900 skins taken
each year for the next two years. II matters
continue as they have for the last few years il
will not be long until the seals, like the buffa-
ioes, are practically exterminated.
1.-The recent dispatch from Victoria about
the three British men-of-war going to the fish
cries Is all bosh. The men-of-war are reported
at Port Simpson and Juneau. These places
are thousand miles from Behring sea, and
the movements Of the men-of-war simply indi-
cate that they are on their way back to Victoria.
The Canadian sealers have for the last two
years been trying to get British man -of-war
10 visit Behrlng sea, and the fact that the Brit
lsh government has not done this shows con-
ciuslvely that 1t does not propose to interfere.
1.-The interests of England in Alaska are ex-
actly opposite to those of Canada. England
derives larger revenue from the seal fisheries
than does the United States. The value that is
added to the skins by the process of dressing is
more than the original cost Of the skins. All
that additional cost goes into the pockets Of
English worklngmen. This is well understood
by the English government / do not think
England will back up Canada to the detriment
OF her own interests. There are several thousand
workmen in London who dress seal skins, and
the British have millions of dollars invested in
the business. II the seal monopoly is broken up
these workmen will be thrown out of employ
ment and the capital invested will have to be
placed elsewhere. I do not think any of the
Canadian sealers will resist the revenue cutter
Rush. They have no force while the Rush is
well armed. She has gatling guns and q
swivel gun and is better equipped than ever
before. Capt Shepard, who is in command, is
one OF the best officers in the revenue marine
service, and can be relied upon to carry out the
orders OF our government"
DR.. Mcintyre has been in the service of the
Alaska commercial company for ten or fifteen
years. He spends part of the year in Alaska
and part in Vermont.