The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-11-14
Iran PetrOff Furnished False lnfOrma
tiOn to the Government.
DATZLED, PERHAPS, BY BRITISH GOLD.
HeW a FaithleSs Agent Sought 10 Put the United
States in the Wrong in the Bering
Sea Arbitration.
Special to THE MORNING CALI.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1S- Ivan Petroff.
who is we'll known in San Francisco, who
was formerly special agent OF the Censu 8
Bureau, and who was for many years a
trusted emplOye in that branch of the Gov
eminent service, has been detected in the
act of furnishing false information to this
Government
When the State Department began the
task some months ago of preparing the
Bering Sea case for arbitration, 1t became
necessary tc secure the assistance of all the
available experts on the Alaskan and seal
Ing questions. In investigating the litera-
ture on the resources of Alaska the depart
ment encountered the name of Ivan Petroff
more frequently than that of any other
author. and upon inquiry for him being in
stituted he was found to be special agen. of
the Census Bureau. 1t was also learned
that he had taken the census of Alaska for
the United States Government In 1880 and
$780, and had written monograph, issued
by the Bureau OF Statistics OF the Treasury
Department on Alaska. La addition to this
he had also assisted Hubert Howe Bancroft
In the preparation of the latter's history of
the Territory.
1t was quite evident to the State
Department. therefore, that this bith-
liable assistance in the preparation of
the American side of the Bering Sea case.
Mr. Petroff was thsreupon summoned from
the Census Bureau to the State Depart ment
and intrusted with the examination into
and compilation of certain facts relating to
the sealing industry. 1t was not necessary
for him to visit Alaska, and his work was
done In this city.
Some time after he had submitted ii 10
the department one OF the Government
special attorneys, while examining the
data. discovered a most damaging error
Closer investigation showed that nearly all
the Information furnished by Petroff had
been falsifed. and that in manner which
left no doubt that the Justification was with
willful intent 70 deceive and mislead the
officers of the Government
This discovery astounded the state off,
eials. The information had already been
incorporated in the case Of this Government
as sent to London, and formed part of the
arch upon which the claim of the United
States rested. although it was not the key
stone of that arch by any manner OF means.
The British Government was at once no.
tilted that the United States had been led
into errors of statement. and was informed
that correction would be made when the
are termed, was submitted. It was at first
supposed at the State Department, and this
belief is still current, that Petroff had been
paid by the British Government to falsify
the information. An official of the State
Department said. however, that this charge
had not been proven.
No explanation has bsen given by Petroff
for his conduct, and the most charitable
conclusion of the official was that the agent,
thinking he knew the character of the in
formation that the department wanted. had
manufactured it so as TO make a strong case
for the United States.
The State Department officials are con-
graduating them selves that they discovered
the faIsifcation so soon as they did. 1t Is
an embarrassing and notifying thing for
the United States to admit that it has been
imposed upon, but even this is better than
having the falsities pointed out by Eng
land.
The discovery has created considera BILE
excitement in official circles. The Superin-
tendent of the Census has been in confer
ence with the President the Secretary of
State and the Secretary of the Interior re-
garding his faithless employe, and the
question has naturally arisen that il
Petroff's work has been falsifed in one
dIo uOt us CENSUS uIcS dlSO u0-
reliable? This is an inquiry that can only
be answered after tedious and perhaps ex-
pensive investigation.
1t is denied that the episode has been
the subject of Cabinet consultation, but Il
Is known that the Secretary of State in
Quired of the Attorney General whether
any punishment could be meted out to a
person who gave false information to the
Government. Curiously enough, there is
nc law upon the Statute books to meet such
case as this. and Mr.. Petroff will simply
lose his Government position, with tie
knowledge that never again can be re-enter
official life.
Petroff is a Russian by birth and is so
years old. He lived for forty years in
Alaska. Officials Of the State Department
and Of the interior this evening affirmed the
correctness OF the story of the many doings
Of Petroff, but declined to say anything
further.