The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-04-23
THE BERING SEA QUESTION.
British Warships Have No Orders
Americana Gathering ExidancA.

DEitiSh h0Vo NO Or0er9-
Americans Gathering Evidence.
VICTORIA, April 22.-As yet no orders
have been received at Esquimalt for the
dispatch of any of the fleet to Bering sea
to serve notice of renewal OF the modus
vivendi and prevent further sealing. The
Nymphe and Daphne will probably go.
News is received from the Atlantic coast
to the effect that half dozen schooners
will probably come around to Victoria
from the French colony of st. Pierre Mi
quelon next year to engage in the seal
hunting business in the event of the case
being decided against the United States.
PoRr TOWNSEND, April 22.-[Special. l.
The United States government is actively
engaged in securing evidence relative to
sealing. Officers have been dispatched to
the North Pacific ocean to study seal life
and to obtain atfidavits from the fur-seal
hunters and Indians relative to seal life,
which will probably be submitted to arbi-
tration between the British and American
governments. The special agents sent
north recently on the United States steam
ers Albatross and Corwin will return to
Port Townsend in about ten days and
hasten to Washington City with their re-
ports.
A commission is now in Victoria, con-
sisting of Special Agents William H.
Williams, of Ohio, and Charles J. Mulkey,
of Tacoma, which is actively interviewing
seal hunters and gathering evidence per-
tanning to the sealing industry.
The United States survey steamer Nc
Arthur returned this evening from cruise
on Neah bay and along Vancouver island.
Oliver Wood, United States commissioner,
formerly Indian agent at Neah bay, and
Joseph Bulfinch, both thoroughly con-
versant with the Indian language went
down on the vessel Numerous affidavits
and other testimony from Indian sealers
were obtained for the government The
officers declined to discuss the object of
their voyage, and said they were sent on a
secret mission by the government They
endeavored to evade the questions of the
correspondent of the PosT-INTELLIGENcER
by stating that they were looking for news
of the wrecked sealing schooner Henry
Dennis. This may be true also, but the
two officers admitted that they did not
land on Vancouver island and observed
several sailing schooners at anchor in the
bays, which they did not speak. and that
they made no special inquiries concerning
the Henry Dennis.
From gentleman thoroughly versed in
the local sealing question and enjoying
the confidence OF the United States officers
it was learned that the government is
anxious to get data and evidence TO
Washington City by May 10. He SAYS
that since the British commission sub
mitted its exhaustive report, based on
personal observation and reliable affidavits
taken in all parts of the North Pacific
ocean among the seal rookeries and from
the Indians of Vancouver island and
observations in Washington and Oregon.
that the American government suddenly
realized the importance of authentic seal
ing data. Efforts are being made to avert
public attention from the governments
movements, and its officers are securing
TIE seas and land for information pertain
ing TO seals. Several government vessels
have been instructed to call here for Or
ders before proceeding to Bering sea.