The Wilmington daily Republican., 1891-05-29
THE SEAL FISHERIES
Proposed Union Between England
and the United States
TO STOP PoAoHINa IN BEHRINa SEA

A Bill to Be Introduced in Parlia-
ment with That End in View.
Should 1t Pass Our Government
Will Probably Issue Orders to Cur
tail the Catch This Year. t.xi
LONDON, May 29.-Hon. George J.
Goschen. chancellor of the exchequer,
in the house of commons yesterday
afternoon gave notice that. the govern
ment would introduce bill on Monday
next which would enable the queen to
prohibit British subjects from catching
seal in the Behring sea for period, the
extent Of which will be stated when the
bill is brought forward.
WASHINGTON, May 29.-The Behring
sea matter is rapidly approaching a So
luton, and the indications now are that
Great Britain and the United States will
act in concert on the fisheries question.
The move in parliament yesterday by
the English government is regarded in
official circles here as an evidence that
Great Britain is willing to accept, with
few notifications, the proposals of the
United States to join hands in prevent
ing poaching in Behring sea- The
United States is willing and anxious to
stop it. There are now fifty vessels,
mostly Canadian, in Behring sea, fitted
ont and actively engaged in seal fishing.
The president, Secretary Tracy and Sec
retary Foster were engaged much of the
afternoon in discussing the fisheries
question. 81 have been talking little
else thar. the seal question during the
past week." said Secretary Foster after
he came from the conference at the ex-
ecutive mansion. Il have been in
formed" he continued, "of the action of
the British government, and it looks as
though they would accept our PROPOSE
tions."
Secretary Foster Confident.
Secretary Foster further said he was
afraid the British government was lit
tie late in taking action, but if the mo-
tion submitted by Mr.. Goshen went
through parliament within week, and
a vigorous warfare was made on poach-
ers, much good could still be done. 1t
is stated that there are now in Behring
sea four British men-of-war, and that the
United States could send up in all about
five vessels. The nine vessels could do
pretty effective police work in control
ling the sea, which the seals use in their
migratory trips to the seal islands. The
area now occupied by the poachers is es-
timated at about 400 square miles. 1t is
thought that the joint patrol of Great
Britain and the United States will have
a good moral effect.
To Curtail the Catch.
Should, as is probable, the molten of
the English government pass parliament
to stop poaching it is quite likely that
the United States would at once issue
orders curtailing the catch of seal this
year to the amount actually needed to
supply the natives with food This
would not require more than 5000. Tho
natives have become so accustomed to
the use of seal meat that tits represented
they cannot live without it, no other
meats in that climate containing a suf-
ficient quantity of carbon to satisfy the
wants of nature. This will also reduce
the expenses of the North American
Commercial company, who are under
contract to feed the natives On the
other hand, it is said that the govern
ment will not exact its annual rent of
$50, 900 from the Commercial company
if no seal are allowed to be caught ex-
cept for food.