The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-05-16
Decided Weeks Ago to Abro-
gate the Sealing Rules.
BUT GAVE US NO NOTIFICATION.
Permitting American Cutters TO 90
North TO Enforce Old Rules.
Vow the United states Is Seeking to
Notify the Cutters of England's
Treachery-if Vessels With Fire
arms Are seized United states VIII
Have To Pay Damages


Port Townsend. May 5-The United
States government realizes that IL Will be
i diftcult undertaking 10 intercept the
revenue cutters now cruising in The North
Pacifc before they have an opportunity
OF ssizing Canadian vessels which they
may ind within the prohibited waters
violating the 9erlng sea regulations as
the cutters presume them 10 exist. being
ignorant OF Great Britains population
Almost week viii elapse before the cut
ter Grant receives sufficient repairs for
a sea voyage. The whereabouts OF the
patrol feet is unknown. other than the
cutter Rush. carrying the commander OF
the feet, c. l.. Hooper, which is sup
posed to be cruising slowly along the
coast of Alaska toward Unalaska. The
Bear and Corwin had general Instructions
to take Zigzag cruise west and north
west OF Cape Flattery, and 10 report at
CnalaSka early in July.
The territory TO be covered reaches a s
far west as $50 degrees. and south 10 &
north latitude, covering an AREA OF about
1900 square miles, somewhere in which
are the three cutters which the govern
ment desires 10 notify no, TO seize vessels
for violating t1s sealing regulations.
Fhat the situa ton is critical is evidenced
by the receipt OF numerous dispatches
from the department by Capt Tozier Of
the Grant who is urged 10 make all pos
sihle haste 10 start out in quest of the
fleet. 1t is believed that the government
viii dispatch vessel at once from Mare
island on a similar mission.
A well authenticated report comes from
Victoria today that a prominent naval Off
Ger of the British warship Pheasan-. nov
supposed 10 be cruising west along the
Alaska coast. previous 10 his departure
made the statement that Great Eritaiu
had 50 modified her orders this year az 10
practically abrogate the restrictive regu-
lations. This statement Was made ahctt
April =, when the Tela ions between the
two governments were somewhat strained
over the Nicaraguan incident. II IS said
that the British naval officers at EsquI-
malt two weeks ago had received official
intima ton that their government IN
tended repudating the agreement of
Jointly patroilIng the sea. and delayed
making the announcement public pending
the Nicsraguan trouble. and thereby per-
Knitting the United States government TO
send her fleet of vessels north. Under
the present aspect of affairs. II the Amerl-
can cutters should seize any Canadian
vessels for using firearms In sealing- seri-
Gus complications might arise between the
two nations.
Officers In communication with the dc
partment admit the situation TO be crit
icaI. and are bending every effort TO get
saa .arant E;aaaiN tor.sss. rs ssess Magsaag.
Washington City. MAY 3ss%It can be
stated authoritatively that British ships
will be sent to Bering sea TO patrol against
poachcrs and TO use every effort 10 carry
out the Paris award and the British law
based thereupOu. The instructions TO the
British ships will not. however direct the
seizure OF vessels found with arms, but
will require other external evidence of
-f..VN - L yfVrz
the presence OF blood on the ship. etc, as
a basis of seizure. This will differ from
the instructions Of last year. which made
the open possession OF arms prima facle
evidence. The British law based on the
Paris award does not forbid the open
carving Of guns. The United States law.
which Is held by the authorities of Great
Britain to have~ gone beyond the Paris
award makes the open possession or arms
pffna facie evidence OF sealing. The Brit
ish reg ula tons last year yielded 10 a GER
tain extent 70 the United States law.
Now. however. the British law viii ne
strictly adhered to- the theory of the Brit
ish authorities being u4at the Paris arbi-
traitors had the amplest means OF provid-
ing against the extermina ton OF the seals
and that the award fully executed VIII
give full protection.
Under these circumstances A serious
question arises as 10 whether United
States naval vessels Will dI1feHtNQ bilt-
ish eealers because they openly carry
arms. this not being against the British
regulations. Last year . United States
shtp apprehended the British sealer Wan
derer under section 10 OF the United states
law which provided that possession of
arms is r.rana facie evidence OF sealing.
Again. a United States snip apprchended
the British sesler FayOrite on the same
Ero1uds Thls raised the question wheth-
er A United states naval ship mas the
right to execute A United States law
against British shin. when the British
law recognizes no such o0enses. There
is reason 20 believe the British policy
hereafter VIII De To allow United States
ships 10 apprehcud British ships under
the British iaw. but not under the United
states law. A. the request % he British
embassy. Earl Aberdeen. governor geneT-
al Of Canada. has been directed to fur
rixh the llst Of ships for patrol of The
Ber1ng sea He VIII forward it as soon
as II IL received from the commander Of
the British fleet at Victoria.
In view o. these facts it IS declared by
tho representa- tives of Great Britain fu
Washington Cffv that there viii be a flill
and sincere cooperation In the patroiing
OF Rerirg sea against po8cneTs- u IS tD-
sisted that the serious appTehensions OF
the officers Of the United States govern
rncnt are not justified. those officers hav-
irg grave fears that flle result a. Great
Fritain's modification With respect 10 FIRE
arms wtI be the determination of ths