The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-06-17
Seal Poachers Scarcely Credit
the Dreadful News.
A HARDSHIP TO HUNDREDS.
Canadians viii Hunt Till Stopped by
the Imperial Government.
Sailing Orders Of American warships to
Bering Sea Countermanded, Presum-
ably at Canada's Request-Thc Cor
win Sails-Cabinet Meeting.

VICTORIA, June l6.-[Special. THE lat
est phase OF the sealing question was
almost the only thing talked of in business
circles today. While majority of the
seaiers were prepared for news that
close season had been agreed upon by the
governments OF Great Britain and. the
United States, few thought such action as
was outlined In the agreement published
from Washington City would be
taken without ample notice being
given to all engaged in the sealing
industry, to enable them to protect
their interests. Although the tele-
graphed news could not be disputed,
and although it was confirmed by private
messages, the sealing men of Victoria say
they will not accept any information as
correct which comes through American
channels until II is corroborated by dis
patches direct from the imperial authori-
ties. Such information has not been re-
ceived. Neither Collector Milne nor the
officers of the navy know of any further
news on the sealing question than that
given TO the public by the press.
When the steamer Danube sailed for the
North tonight sealing men who were
passengers upon her were agreed upon
their line of action. Ii was To collect the
catches of the sealers now at work, re-
provision them and instruct them to pair-
sue their business until formally notified
by an official of the British government
that sealing must be suspended. Then
the schoouers will come home, abandon
ing their operations under protest.
What is regarded as the most glaring
unfairness is that the order to stop The
taking of seals comes just as the British
Columbia fleet have completed their long
and expensive trip to the north and are
entering upon the seasons work, while on
the Pribilof islands the killing of seals
must be in progress for two or three weeks.
The coast catch being very poor this year,
Fictoria's sealers have been depending on
the Bering sea take to at least pay the cost
of Quitting. This hope being gone, COM
pensation from the home government will
be asked, although with little expectation
of success.
The closing of Bering sea means hard
blow to all business interests in British
Columbia. and destitution for many white
and Indian hunters and sailors engaged
in the practical work of seal fishing.
SAN Francisco. June 16.-The United
States steamer Thetis has arrived here
from Mare island navy yard.
The revenue cutter Corwin sailed for the
Pribilof islands this afternoon. Captain
Hooper carried copies of the presidents
proclamation ordering a closed season.
These he will distribute to all vessels con-
cerned which may be found in Bering sea.
VALLEJO, Cal, June 16.-0rders came
from Washington City this afternoon
countermanding the sending of ships to
Bering sea. and stopping all preparations.
Naval officials do not understand the or
der, but fancy that Canada has objected to
the warlike proceedings.
WASHINGTON CITY, June l6.-The Bering
sea question was further considered at to-
days cabinet meeting, with view to TAX
ing such additional steps as may be
deemed necessary to enforce strict COM
pliance with the terms of the agreement
for a closed season