Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-03-29

The President has not yet sent a reply to the
letter from Lord Salisbury in which the latter
practically agrees to putting stop to pelagc
sealing in Boring sea this summer. The char
ac.er Of the Presidents answer was considered
at length at the meeting of the cabinet
All the members of the cabinet were present,
and it is understood that the decision was
reached to accept Salisbury proposition for
renewal of the modus of last year, with certain
limitations as to the character Of the damages
to be left to the determination of
the arbitrators. 1t is expected that the Presi-
dent will communicate his views on this sub.
ject to Sir Julian Pauncefote in few days
In view OF the recent discussion and the cor
respondence between this country and Great
Britain with reference to the Boring sea con-
troversy it is interesting to notice the opinion
that was held on the same subject nearly
quarter of century ago. In his report as
Secretary Of the Treasury IN 1868 Secretary
Hugh McCulloch wrote as follows:
1.-The preservation of these animals by the
observance of strict regulations in hunting
them is not only matter of the highest i'm
portance In an economical view, but amatter OF
life or death to the natives. Hitherto seals
have been hunted under the supervision Of the
Russisn company and exclusively by tine
natives, who are trained from children to that
occupation, and derive from it their clothing
and subsistence. They have been governed by
exact and stringent rules as TO the time OF
hunting, and the number and kind of seals to
be taken.
1T is recommended that these rules be con-
tinued by legislative enactment. and that the
existing law prohibiting absolutely the killing
Of the fur seal and sea otter be repealed, as
starvation of the people would result
from it's strict enforcement The ma
tives with the exception of the In
dams in the southern part of the
territory, who are fierce and warlike) are a
gentle, harmless race, easy to Cover D, but Of
great enterprise and daring in the pursuit of
their skin canoes from the mainland
and Aleutian Islands to the islands of st. Paul
and St. George, distance OF about $50 miles,
through a strong sea. and returning with tie
proceeds of their hunt.
The seals are extremely timid and cautious
They approach their accustomed grounds each
year with the greatest circumspection sending
advance parties to reconnoiter, and at
once forsaklng places where they are
alarmed by unusual or unwelcome
visitors. They have been in this way driven
from point TO point. and have taken refuge in
these remote islands, whence, If they are now
driven, they must resort TO the AsIauc coast.
There can be no doubt that, without proper
regulations for hunting these valuable ami
mails and the more valuable but less numerous
sea offers, very valuable trade will soon be
destroyed.
1.-The United States cannot, Of course, ad-
minister such a trade as a government monop-
oily, and the only alternative seems to be to
grant the exclusive privilege of taking these
to a responsible company for
series OF years, limiting the number
OF skins to be taken annually by stringent pro-
visions. A royalty or tax might be imposed
upon each skin taken and revenue be thus
secured sufficient to pay large part OF the ex-
penses Of the territory"