New-York tribune., 1891-05-21
icy rRLEGRAPH TO THE TkiBUss.l
CANADIAN PoACHrNG.

TELEGRAPH TIE IhlbbEhj
washington May Colt has been generally expected
that the Presidents return would hasten the setemene
of the negotiations now pending for closed sealhshng
scason I'm Behring Sea. so far, however. there mas
been no material change in the situation although the
time for the httngou and sailing OF the seal cruisers
from the ports on the Pacific is already at hand' ie
delay In the case due entirely to Lord salisbury VINO
has failed up to date to return any answer 10 'ne
propositions for closed season made several "eehs
ago by the secretary Of state. The American propo-
sttions IL is well known, were two In number. Inc
ar,t contained the offer to suspend entirely for the
current year the taking Of seal the seal ISLANDS De-
longing TO this Government, in return for tie sup
preston OF all open-sea poachng by the Briush au
thortes. The second proposition mooiheo inc oriki"'
offer to the extent Of authorizing the North American
Seal Company the lessee OF the Alaskan seal lsaos'
to take enough animals TO furnish subsistence for tic
year to the natives who are entrev oepehuoh' ~"
support on the sealing Industry.
The purpose Of this Government in making
these offers TO Lord Salisbury was, Of course.
TO protect and preserve the seal herds In the
Alaskan waters now threatened according to the re
ports OF some observers, with serious dminuton from
the ravages of the poachers. Lord sahsbury's eA-
treme and unexplained dilatorness may lead 10 the
failure OF both propositions however for unless he re-
plies within week or two some arrangement for the
present season must be made by this Government on
its own responsibility The Secretary OF the Treasury
authorized last month catch the islands this sum
mer by the North American Company, the lessee Oh
6OOO0 SEALS and this order has not yet been revoked
The steamers OF the North American Company nave
been ready for several days to start for Alaska, ana
have fingered from day TO day on the Pacific Coast III
antic patton OF final settlement OF the whole nshery
question. The poacGing vessels are also plahlne
preparations for starting and, as the season begins on
The first day Of July, it will be seen that the Alms
tratlon has little time to spare before announcing its
policy for tine summer. . ,,. .
it IS understood that the President fayors
closed season, with convention with Great Britain
which VIII put end 10 poaching on the part OF
Canadian seal hunters. Since his return To Washlng-
ton he has discussed the question in all It's phases WIN
the Secretary of the Treasury and other members VI
the Cabinet but he has decided 10 take no acton lor
few days longer, In the hope OF hearing from LORD
Salisbury the sincerity OF whose pr0estitlons III the
interest of preserving the seal are now being put 70
practical test. There some who thlnk tlat lnc
English Prime Minister is simply procristlnanhg now
in order TO let the Canadian poacers get away oeiorg
he can issue a proclamation warning them agalnst
open-sea sealing Tn that the killing OF seals VIII
40 on in as wasteful way ever, and new dlIcuues
will only he put I'm the of permanent ana satis
factory settlement OF the Dehring Sea question
IL is likely that the North American Company )
ships will sail for the Prbyo Islands without waiting
for the revocation modification OF the present ofder
OF catch and that the company will try TO recover lIs
losses fom the Gvemment in case closed season Is
finally agreed upon.