Los Cerrillos rustler. (Cerrillos, N.M.) 188?-1891, 1891-06-05
SHUTTING DOWN.
Probability of an Entire Cessation
Of Seal Catching.
NOTION IL TIE BRITISH PARLIAMENT


WASHINGTON. May sa-The president
yesterday afternoon received . cipher
dispatch from Minister Lincoln at Lon
don saying that official notice had been
given In the house Of commons that a
bill would he introduced on Monday TO
authorize the queen to prohibit British
subjects from taking seals in Behring
sea The question engaged the presi-
dents principal attention yesterday
and he had conferences ut differ
ent times on it, various phases
with Secretary Foster. Secretary
Tracy, Secretary Proctor and Acting
Secretary Wharton. One point eonsid-
cred va the advisability of sending
war vessels TO Behring sea 10 reinforce
the revenue cutters in preventing the
taking of seals In case a closed season
Is decided upon. This ieet would. of
course, cooperate with the English
war ships now In those waters in the
enforcement of the agreement as con-
cluded IL Is understood that the sec
Rotary of the navy reported that there
are three naval vessels that could be
prepared for this service without much
delay.
The nov made In parliament by the
English government is regarded in
officials circles here as an evidence that
Great Britain is willing To accept with
Gfe0 notifications the proposals of
the United States 10 Join hands in pre-
venting poaching In Behring sea.
There are now fifty vessels. mostly
Canadian, in Behring sea, fitted out and
actively engaged in seal fishing.
Il have been talking little else than
the seal question during the past week. +"
said Secretary Foster, after he came
from the conference at the executive
mansion. ~ have been informed" he
continued, ''of the action of the British
government and IL looks as though
they would accept our propositions. 4"
Secretary Foster further said he was
afraid the British government was n
little late In taking action, but IL the
motion submitted by Mr.. Goschen went
through parliament within a week and
a vigorous warfare made on poachers
much good could still be done.
II is stated that there are now in
Bchring sea three British mcn-of-war
and that the United States could send
up in all about five vessels. These
vessels could do effective police work
in ~patrolling the sea which the seals
use in their migratory trips to the seal
islands. The area now occupied by the
poachers is estimated ut about 400
square miles. The fog in that section
of the world is represented by naval
officers as very dense at this season of
the year, which makes the patrol
ling of the sea most difficult but
which also operates to prevent the
poachers from sighting seals ut any
considerable distance from their ship.
While all these obstacles are pointed
out, IL is Thought that the joint patrol
of Great Britain and the United State.
will have a good moral effect. Should.
as is probable. the motion of the british
government pass parliament to STOP
poaching, 1t is quite likely that the
United States would at once issue or.
ders curtailing the catch Of seals this
year to the amount actually needed te
supply the natives with food. This
would not require more than 5000.
The natives have become so accus.
toned to the use of seal meat that IL is
represented that they a not live with.
out ii, no other meats in that climate
containing a sufficient quantity of car,
bon to satisfy the wants of nature.
This will also reduce the expenses oil
the North American CO., who are under
contract to feed the natives. On the
other hand, it is said hat the govern.
ment will not exact its annual rent OF
$50, 900 from the commercial company
il no seals are allowed to be caught ex.
cept for food.
The nnnnsliInn 70 HrnnLa