Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-05-29
TO SAVE THE SEALS.
Premier Salisbury Has Given His
Consent to a Closed Season.
A MEASURE UP IN PARLIAMENT.
The American Company Will Hurry the
Slaughter Until II Passes.
CANADIANS MAY REFUSE TO CONCUR
rFRoM A srAFF coRREspoypryr.1

rFRoM STAFF CORRESPONDENT
WASHINGTON, May 2a-The news from Lon
don this evening that British sealers would
be promptly prohibited by act of Parliament
from taking seals in Alaskan waters until an
understanding could be reached between
Great Britain and the United States, caused
great concern among the persons interested
in the American Sealing Company and gave
satisfaction to everybody else.
The hope of the American Company now
is that they can make fine catch of seals
before Parliament can complete the enact
ment, and further, that the Canadian
poachers may refuse to obey, in which case
tn g American Company would, of course, be
allowe to proceed with the taking of seals.
1t is calculated by the friends of the COM
pany that at least a week will elapse before
the prohibitory act can pass Parliament.
Ten or Is days more will pass before the
sealers, already at work, can be informed of
the agreement between the two countries.
Going to Hurry the Slaughter.
By that time large catch will have been
made, possibly the half of the limit of $4,000,
as the sealing season lasts, only about two
months, which period is sufficient for
to take 81, 900 seals. Perhaps the most inter-
esting phase of the whole matter is the man.
ner in which Canada will receive this act Of
the parent Parliament. Persons here who
are well informed in Canadian affairs, haz-
ard the opinion that such an act on the part
of the Central Government will snap the
slender thread that holds its North Ameri-
can possessions.
Lord Salisbury has constantly main-
tanned that the Bering Sea is an open
sea, and the Canadian sealers have gone
there with the understanding that they had
protection under that theory. 1t is thought
to be questionably, therefore, whether the
40 Canadian sealing vessels now in Alaskan
waters will obey these commands Of the
British Government unless forced at the
mouth of the cannon. If so, the American
and British vessels combined, six all told,
would be wholly inadequate to cope with
the 40 sealers.
This Is None of Our Affair.
This aside, the contemplated action of the
British Parliament will, it is asserted, have
vital effect on the relations of the homo
Government and its American colonies. The
President is not troubling himself about
this, however. His sole anxiety in the mat
ter is that the British Government shall act
as quickly as possible, when the revenue
cutter Corwin, now awaiting oYders at San
Francisco will at once be dispatched to
Alaskan waters to carry the news and assist
to stop all sealing until the vexing question
Is settled.
1t is understood the Secretary of the Navy
reported that there are three naval vessels
that could be prepared for this service with
out much delay. The news of Mr.. GOSchen'S
action was received with satisfaction at the
State Department. Generally it is taken as
an indication that the British Government
is preparing to accept the condition imposed
by the President as preliminary to arbitra-
tion and cause the British vessels to refrain
from sealing meantime. The fixed period
for the cessation of sealing referred to by
Mr. Goschen probably means the remainder
of this season. During this time the arbi-
traitors flor it is to be presumed that the
British Governments action carries with it
an acceptance of the terms of arbitration
held out by the President during the CORE
spondence) will have an opportunity to
reach an agreement.