The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-11-14
PETROFF'S TRAIT0ROUS ACT
Sensational Discovery by the State De-
partment Regarding an Employe.
Ealsified His Alaskan Information to the Gov
eminent That is Embed Ell in the Beh-
ring Sea Case for Arbitration.

wAsHISGToN. Nov. 1.-THE Post to-day
published an article 10 the effect that Ivan
Petroff, q special agent of the State De-
partment and formerly IN the Census Office,
has been detected in the act or furnishing
false information to his government In re-
lation TO the seal industry of Alaska, which
has been embodied IN the preparation OF
the Behring sea case for arbitration. Con-
timing, the article says:
when the State Department began the
task some months ago of preparing the
Behring sea case for arbitration. 1t became
necessary to secure the assistance of all
experts on Alaskan and sealing questions In
investigating the literature on the reso urces
of Alaska, the department. en- countered the
name Of Ivan Petroff more frequently than
that of any other author. and upon inqui ~
for him being instituted. he was
found to be q special agent of the
Census Bureau. 1t was also learned
that he had taken the census of Alaska sor
the United States government In 1850 ana
1850, and had written the monograph issued
BY the Bureau Of Statistics for the Treas
ury Department in Alaska. In addition TO
this he had also assisted Hubert howe
Bancroft In the preparation of the latters
dent TO the State Department. therefore,
that this hitherto trusted official would be
of valuable assistance In the preparation
of the BehriDg sea case. Mr.. PetroH was
summoned from the office OF the Census
Bureau to the State Department. and was
intrusted with the examination into and
compilation of certain facts relating to the
sealing industry. 1t was not necessary Tor
him to visit Alaska, and his work was done
in this city. Some time after 1T had been
submitted TO the department one OF the
government special attorneys, while exam
lining the data. discovered an error. Closer
lnvesti CATION showed that nearly the en-
tire information furnished by Petron had
been falsitied, and In a manner which left
no doubt of Justification with willful In
tent to deceive.
This discovery astounded the State De-
partment officials. The information had
already been incorporated in the case of
the government as sent to London, and
formed a part of the arch upon which the
United States claim rested. although 1t
was not the keystone by any manner OF
means. The British government was at
once notified that the United States had
been led into errors of statement and was
informed that correction would be made
when the counter-case, as the supplement-
airy papers are termed, was submitted. The
discovery has created considerable excite
ment in official circles. The Superintend-
emit of the Census has been In conference
with the President, the Secretary OF State
ana secretary OF tho lnCeTlOr regaTuiug nib
faIthless emplOye.
THE question has naturally arisen. if
Petroff7s work has been falsifed In one in
stance axe not his census figures also IN
rellablef This is an INQUIRY that can only
be answered after Investigation. Curious
ly enough, there is no law on the statute
books to meet such case as this, and Mr..
Petrotf will simply lose his government po-
sition with tue knowledge that he can
never again re-enter official life. PETROL
Is q Russian by birth. who moved to Alaska
when that country was Russian province.
and lived there fortv years. He Is now
| sixty years of age. He has had an adven-
| turous spirit all his life. He took the Gen.
sus of Alaska in 1880. and it was upon the
recommendation of Gen. Francis A. Walk
| er that he was selected to furnish the Alas
| kan statistics for the census which has just
| been completed"
Officials of the State Department and In
| terror Department., when shown the above
| article this evening. affirmed its correct.
ness, but declined to say anything further.