The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-06-06

England seems determined 70 afford no
explanation OF her course IN falling 70
abide By the understanding that IL was
20 be coasldsred an of1enss for sealing
vessels 20 carry uasealed arms. IL Is true
that an unofficial intination vas given
that evidence Of the slaughter Of seals
would be sought on board ships, but
these evidences could be 50 quickly re-
moved that there must be some underiy-
Ing motive for the change OF policy.
The use OF firearms in Bering sea a. all
times ard Ia the Pacific ocean north OF
g degrees after May l ''in the fur seal
fishing" Is forbidden by the positive dec
Iaratlons OF the International agreement.
ali sealing vessels are also required 10
have special license and 10 carry dis
tinguisning flag prescribed by its gov
ernmert. II such license can give them
the right to carry firearms and explo-
Sives into Bering sea. what possible Sc
curity can exist that they gill not be
used against the seais7 Such permission
can only be intended TO enable them 20
violate the award Il they choose to do so.
One OF the most important checks upon
pelagfc hunting was 10 so provide as 10
prevent the seaIers from Quitting with
firearms and to use them until May in
the eastern waters and then cross the
ocean to raid the Russian and japanese
herds until August /, and then enter Ber-
ing sea with their ornaments and remain
there slaughtering them until the seals
had left the islands. The break in the
voyage which would result from the ne
cessity OF going out without firearms aft
er Nay / would have confined them 10
legitimate fishing. and that would have
driven them from the pursuit. But the
permission given. contrary TO the award,
to carry firearms and explosives under
seal on licensed sealers while taking
part in fur seal fishing operations is
mere opportunity to use such arms sur
reptitiously while the vessel is covered
by a special flag and safe conduct and is
engaged In a business" that no one can
lawfully pursue except under special
license.
A very unpleasant feature of the seal
fishing business is that the greater part
or the damages CialUleu Dy 1Fsde biilaiii
under the award was for the seizure of
vessels that belonged In whole or in part
to citizens of the United States who took
shelter under the British flag as a safe
refuge from which they could with i'm
punity violate and defy the laws OF their
own country. Judge Biodgett had pointed
out this grave national wrong in the
dearest way in his argument that was
submitted TO the commissioners with the
cases of the contending parties. The evil
dence recited in the record proved each OF
his statements, and they were not denied
or explained by the British counsel. An
effort was made to open the case SO as to
let in new testimony on that subject,
which failed.
Unless the United States authorities re-
ceive the honest cooperation of Ameri-
cans engaged in the traffic in their efforts
to protect our interests it may become a
question whether the government shall
not abandon the seals and the fishers to
their fate. There is no reason why the
people at large should be taxed 10 protect
men who will not protect themselves.