The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-03-06
THE SEAL BUTCHERY.
Will the Process of Extermina-
ton Continue This Year?
EFFECT OF ENGLAND's REFUSAL.
The Situation the Same as in 1890, Ex-
cept That the Canadian Poachers Are
More Numerous and Determined.

main here during the summer and two in south
ern waters. Those to remain here are the War
spite, Champion, Pheasant, Daphne and
Melpomene, while the Nymph and Garnet VIII
look after British interests in the south
WASHINGTON CITY, March 5.-Ths acting sec
rotary of the treasury today transmit
ted TO congress a communication from
Special Agent Williams, in charge OF
the seal islands OF Alaska, asking an appropria-
ton of $4,000 to furnish food, fuel, clothing,
etc, necessary during the ensuing year to pre-
vent suffering and restitution among the
natives This suffering, Agent Williams says Ia
due to the failure of the supply of killable
seals during 1890 and 1891. The people are be-
ing forced now to get along with only one
sixteenth of the former supply.
1t is quite clear from inquiry at the capital
that with the exception of a few members of the
House and Senate committees on foreign rela-
tons the senators and representatives are in
state OF Ignorance as to the present condition OF
negotiations between the United States and
Great Britain respecting the seal fisheries II
is contended by some members that unless
the British government evinces DISPOSE
ton to act with fairness in the matter OF
the modus vivendi the treaty may never
be sent to the Senate by tho president
While this deplorabls contingency is not be-
Heved to be near at hand, the few congressman
informed as to the exact situation express
privately grave concern at the outlook, and fear
the two nations relative to the right Of their
subjects in Boring sea revert to the status they
occupied at the beginning OF the negotiations,
several years ago, very serious international
complications may be expected.
Discussion of the subject has had the effect of
attracting the attention not only OF the general
public but also enterprising vessel owners, and
the latter, allured By the prospect Of large
profits, are making preparations to move toward
Bering sea in such numbers as TO warrant q be-
lief that unless the movement is promptly
checked the seal rookeries viii be completely
depopulated. Such members of the foreign re-
lat!ons committee as ara conyersant with
the subject of the opinion that
the United States cannot permit this
ganized system of poaching to be resumed,
and, failing in the effort to secure a renewal of
the modus vivendi,t the government will proceed.
as soon as the season opens, to patrol the waters
OF Boring sea with powerful and effective fleet
and seize all poaching vessels, regardless of
their nationality or the protests OF the interested
nation. 1t is said by some members OF the COM
mittees that this would really be in accord
ance with diplomatic practice, which permits
nation, while its contentious are the subject of
negotiation, to maintain its ground until q con-
clusion is reached, with the understanding that
If the result OF the negotiations or arbitration is
against it the nation will be under obligation to
make good any wrong it may have committed
upon the right of subjects of party TO the con-
troyersy
Lord salisbury's proposition with regard to
the present season is not only to open Boring
sea outside of the thirty-mile zone from the
Pribilof islands to indiscriminate sealing, but
to limit the catch within that belt including,
OF course, the shores of the islands, to $1,000
seals. In the language of q prominent official
this proposition is wholly unfas, arrogant and
even insulting to this country"
1t is contended by experts that the opening of
Boring sea for one season in the manner sug-
gestsd would result in the speedy extermina-
ton of seals, and there would then
be nothing left to arbitrats
upon. The news from British Columbia
that the sealing fleet 10 making preparations for
unusual extensive operations this season is con-
trmed at the state department Inquiry devel-
oped the fact that last year. Notwithstanding
that Boring sea closed and patrolled by
naval vessels of Great Britain and the United
States, the catch by poaehers within its waters
aggregated 10000 seals, and it is this fact that
inspires the officials of this government to the
belief that this is the reason for opening the
to the extent propose by Lord Salisbury
Professor Henry w. Elliott, recognized
authority on the life and habits of the fur seal,
and who spent several seasons in Bering sea as
government agent, said today:
The determination of the fur seal is at hand
and unless the 110dus rtGeRdi is renewed the
poachers will kill practically all the seals left on
the islands Shutting out the peiagic fleet for
thirty miles would not prevent the sealers get
ting as good chance to kill the nursing seal
mothers as though the poachers were allowed 10
hunt within three miles of shore. One hundred
and twenty vessels, manned by 1900 men this
summer will destroy the herd without going
WITHIN nfty miles OF the islands. The pups will
stlrye and there will not be enough seals to de-
velop herd which may be hunted TOR COM
rlercsl use for twenty years. Congress should
ascertain at once whether this proposition of
salisburys is final or not Ifit is bill should bs
passed Immediately repeating the law prevent
Ing the killing OF the female seals on the
islands II Canadian and American poachers
are allowed to kill female seals within thirty
miles OF the Islands, the law-abiding Americans
on the islands ought to be allowed a chance to
get their share. The poacheTs will pay the gov
eminent nothing, but for every seal killed on
the Islands the government gets tax of 81.
This money should form fund for the main
tenAnce OF the unfortunate natives OF the seal
Islands, who are wholly dependent upon this
industry.
So many more poachers at work would newt
ably result in the total destruction of the
industry before next fall, possibly before the
questions AZ issue could even be submitted TO
arbitration. Ii may be stated. SIS fact, that
This government is not at all disposed 10 allow
this 10 be done without making vigorous and
determined effort 10 prevent II Unless Sails
bury recedes from his present position and con-
Eents TO p renewal OF last years modus viyendl
restricting the catch OF seals to such as are
regarded as necessary for the natives, IL will be
alone the protection Of seals By the enforce
ment OF laws bearing on the subject
II is probable that special meeting OF the
cabinet Will be held on Monday for the pur-
pose of considering the subject and deciding
npon action in of Lord Salisburys Insist
snce on his last proposition
LONDON. March 5-laQuiry was made at the
foreign office today by representative of the
Associated Press regarding the BerinC sea nego-
tiaiions. The official interviewed said that al
though he did not wish to make a statement at
this iUncture, yet he could say that no iniormg-
hs 900 a-N
mlssiouers had failed TO arrive at q satisfactory
entente regarding the methods to he employed
IN seal fisheries He deprecated what he called
the "animus' which perraeated the information
received here from the United states concern
Ing The matter,