The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-07-18
TO STUDY THE SEAL.
One of the British Commission
ers Outlines His Duties.
PREPARING FOR AReITRAToRs.
Claims of Canadian Vessel Owners 80
Be observation-disclosures With
Sir George Baden-PoweIl.

cir deOEge SDlytle DaueH-fOEeu, WHO.
with DR.. g. NJ Dawson, left Victoria yes
terday evening for Bering sea, to inyesti-
gate the seal fisheries question, is a thor
oughbred Englishman, whose acquaint-
ancs il is profit as well as a pleasure to
make. Entirely without any of that
vicious wouId-be swell mannerism which
seems TO be ruling characteristic of Eng
lishmen we see as general rule in this
country, he has the happy faculty of being
able 70 be at home. free and easy, without
losing one title of his dignity. Seated in
comfortable chair in the smoking apart
ment of the private car Cumberland, in
which he had travelled across the contl-
nent, he chatted pleasantly with Posi-
INTELLIeENCER correspondent about his
mission IS one of the members of the
royal commission. He had, he said, every
hope that the joint action of the Ameri-
can and British governments in closing up
the disputed waters, so far as-seal fishing
is concerned, for the season, would enable
the commissioners TO present to their re-
spective governments such a comprehen-
sive report of exactly how matters stood,
that when the arbitrators were finally APP
pointed, they would be able to deal with
the matter so intelligently that a final
-.
80 far as ! am aware be continued, s'the
instructions given TO the commissioners on be-
half of the United States generally the same
as those we have received They may differ
somewhat in detail, but in general outline they
are probably the same"
"What. then. would you say was the actual
scope OF your powers as investigstors?" was
asked.
He answered: "That is q somewhat difficult
question to reply TO, yet 1t is easy enough in q
general way. We are supposed 70 collect all the
evidence We can possibly get to breeding OF
seals, their habits, OF life, ETC.; 70 report
upon whether they are becoming ex,erminated
or whether there is 8 possibility that they may,
become sxterminated, the actual state of the
seal fishing industry a. compared with its con-
dtion in the past the fsvorite resort of the seal
or the best known reoksries, whether or not
they frequent the same grounds or waters every
season, on any new rookeries or resorts being
formed, and all matters VI ieh can in any way
effect the industry. As you will readily under
stand, there is thus immense amount OF
work for US to get through before our report can
be handed in"
How long, then, do you think it viii take 70
complete yeur investigations?'
sat present we csnno. say, but we expect to
be able to get through by October. By that
can do no more, and think with hard work IN
the meantime we ought to be able to acquire
pretty fair knowledge of the subject"
providing you get your report in by October
| ], say, when do you think the arbitrators viii
be appointed to finally determine the result?'
'If we get through by October L. Sir George
answered, everything will then be in shape Tor
| the arbitrator The home governments is
anxious, am assured, to have the whole diff
Guilty settled as soon as is possible, and think
| the United States also means business, 20 that
there will be nothing 70 hinder an immediate
settlement Our work being entirely prelim-
mary will enable the governments OF both
England and the United States to take the mat
ter up without delay"
''Will you then work in harmony and in union
with the commissioners for the United States?"
81 hope so. have already asked the Ameri-
can commissioners by telegraph what their
views on the matter are, and have advised them
| that we will be pleased 20 meet them at q time
| and place mutually convenient 10 discuss first
| steps. After our first meeting my idea is that
we should each work away on our own account
bu. meet from time 70 time 70 talk over what
progress has been made. It Is amongst the pos
sibilities that we may send in q joint report,
and, If so, of course the difficulty viii be very
much simplihed.
lis il your intention TO take evidence on
| oathe''
ave have power TO do so. but. except in q few
rare cases, do not think il viii be necessary TO
carry on our enquiries in that way. Dr.. Daw-
son and think that the sealers will be quite
willing to give us all the information in their
power. Practically. We are pursuing this inves-
tigation in their interests, and the very last
they can do would be 70 come forward and help
US along all they can. Another thing too that
We have considered is that if we get evidence
under oath much less likely to get all we
want People will talk much more freely In
conversational way, and will tell Us rumors,
etc, that we may afterwards investigate"
ado you feel at liberty" the interviewer
asked, "to make any statement as to the feeling
in England on the present status of the Boring
sea question:"
Eyes, dom; mind telling you,' Sir George re-
piled, smilingly; ''but you will see for yourself
just how the matter stands For instance now,
when spoke OF the question last time in the
house OF commons had mass of data and
details af my fingers end, and hen was speak
ing of these, why, no one 81 all listened But
when got past that and used sentences like
this: The British flag shall not be insulted at
home or abroad there were what the reporters
call loud and prolonged cheers General prin-
ciple talk was aeceptably received but the peo-
pie in general are willing 70 permit the govern
meut to master the details. They are an xious at
Gil times that England's honor SHAH bs main
tanned. and viii back the government I'D IN any
steps II may take towards this end. Tha; is
about the sum total of the feeling AZ homs"
Regarding the matter OF eompensa lion are you
in 8 position 20 say whether or not il is the in
tention of the home government to recognize
the claims Of the Canadian sealing vessel own
ers for loss sustained by reason of the e. osing up
OF Boring sea?'
.'Yes." answered Sir George emphstically 81
am positively assured by our people AZ home
that the claims OF Canadian vessel owners will
be reeogaize aud viii, too. be dealt with in 8
spirit OF broad liberality. Let NE 20 back liz
tie and explain this When the bill giving sane
ton 10 the closing Up Of Boring Tor this sea
son was before the British house OF commons
the only serious objection raised 70 il was that
by an imperial act IL would deprive one section
"A small section it might be-of her majestys
subjects of their customary means Of obtaining
livelihood I don't know whether there was
any public discussion on this point or not bat I
Go know positively that assurance was given the
government that by an imperial grant the Cans
dian seaIsrs would De compensated on this
distinct understanding the bill was passed
Later on I was asked BY the govern rasnt 70 set
a. the British commissioner N conjunction with
Canadian gentleman who should be named by
the Dominion government Nv reply 10
Lord Salisbury was that | would
be pleased 10 accept the mission