The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-05-18

PoRT TOWNSEND, WASH, May 17.-lntense
dissatisfaction prevails in sealing circles
here and in Victoria in regard to the man
nsr in which it is proposed to enforce tho
modus vivendi during the coming season
in Bering sea. Last year vessels found
sealing within the forbidden waters were
first served with notice to quit tho soa and
were not actually seized unless II WAS found
that they paid no attention to the official
warning, but continued the work OF taking
seals. This year it appears that the mo-
dus vivendi is to be enforced in a aterner
fashion. Orders have been issued to the
commanders OF the United States cruisers
evidences Of sealing on board, or even in
the absence of evidence rs to actual sealing
if they are equipped for the work, without
warming. Furthermore. it 10 understood
that every man employed on board will be
liable to punishment, whereas 1t has been
the custom to hold only the master and
principal officers and to release the crew
uron the arrival OF the seized vessel at
Sitka.
This unexpected turn OF affairs has not
only angered the owners OF sealing vessels
on account Of the fact that it wasstotally
unexpected. but has completely upset Ger
tain shrewdly laid plans for beating the
government, and in many cases il is impos-
sible so to alter these plans that the sealers
may make themselves safe. II is under
stood that there are now about thirty seal
ers at sea and out Of reach Of communica-
ton. and they are gradually working along
the southern shores Of the Aleutian islands
following the seals on their way into Boring
sea. In the absence of any late insttpc-
tionG these vessels will no doubt nae every
endeavor to get into Boring sea and secure
4 good catch before being overhauled by
the b~lockading squadron.
No doubt every effort will be made to get
into Communication with the saalers before
they enter Boring sea and inform them Of
the new order. But it can readily be un-
derstood how unwilling the sealers will be
to get within hailinR distance Of a govern
ment vessel, and it is feared that the
cruisers will not be able to keep the ~sealers
from getting in the sea, and their ultimate
capture and seizure will follow as a matter
of course. 1s
The British Columbians are blaming Sir
Charles Tupper for failure to keep them
better posted as to the progress Of affairs in
London and Washington, and this whilom
worked early n late to help them, sud
fnds himself dropped from his high
place OF honor in the minds Of his Vancou-
yer admirers. To add to the feeling Of
those ~sealers who have kept out
Of reach of communication in order to
being served with notice Of the re-
newal of the modus vivendi, have also
failed to put in their claims for damages
against the British government for being
with last year, and when they
find that they have missed the play on both
ends Of the game, il is currently believed
that such a howl will 20 up that both Sir
Charles Upper and the marquis of Sails
bury will yearn for some dark cavern into
which they can retire for q long, long time.
The Rush. the Boar and the Albatross
have been put in first class condition for
the service, and will be in the locality of
the seal fisheries very soon. 1t is thought
they will have their hands full.
The report which was circulated some
weeks ago that certain British Columbian
sealers intended putting their vessels under
foreign flags for the purpose of avoiding
the modus vivendi evidently has no found
alton. The only foreign nation whose flag
would probably be adopted for this pnr-
pose would be Germany. II is not thought
at all likely that Germany would be a party
to such \ palpable fraud.
British Commissions Macoun who was
appointed to make an investigation of the
fur seal question, will leave shortly for the
PribyloR islands on the naval reserve
steamer Quadra. He will remain on st.
Paul island several weeks for the purpose
of securing data in regard to seal life in
the rookeries at that place. and, upon his
return, his figures will be compared with
those obtained by Sir George Badsn-Powell
last year for the purpose of ascertainR as
decrease III seal life during the elapsed
tina.