Evening journal., 1896-10-29
THE FuR SEA- QUESTION.

!
Of the sealing industry in
Alaskan waters, has completed its
task of inquiry and research. This
Investigation has been carried on
throughout the Summer months in con-
junction with a British commission
of experts in the field as
signed to them. The information thus
secured, 1t is anticipated will be ac-
cepted by the governments concerned
as an assured basis for further legisla-
ton or administrative action in the in
terest of American seal catchers and
British dressers and dyers of seal
skins.
II does not appear, from the prelimi-
nary reports of the result of the tour of
tho joint commission, that any inn
portant data have been added to the
accumulated mass of statistics of the
seal catching industry. The decimation
OF the herds on the sealing islands |
within recent years has rendered it |
possible for the commission to take an |
accurate detailed census of the number /
Of fur seals on the breeding grounds |
This task would scarcely necessitate |
any extraordinary effort; since the
seal herd on the Pribilof Islands num- |
bered last year less than 175,0O0 ami |
mails, all told. Ten years ago the ex-
perts engaged in seal-catching estimated
the number of seals on these islands
at not less than $500, 600. The herd
has been depleted and well-ngh de-
stroyed, by pelagic sealing carried on
relentlessly by British, canadian and
American sealers. Their Winter habi-
tat is known, and accurate charts of
the route taken by the animals to reach
the breeding ground are in possession
of the masters of vessels engaged in
seal-catching in the open sea. Under
such circumstances and conditions, the
speedy extirpation of the Alaska seal
herd might have been easily foretold.
The commission, at cost to
the country of about $4,000, has
ascertained that the number of
seals is steadily declining; that sealing
in the open water of Bering Sea is no
longer profitable and that it is the
duty of the respective governments in
terested to cooperate promptly, in or
der that ample protection may be af-
forded to the body of fur seals still re-
naming on the islands.
There has been no serious attempt up
to the present time, to afford the pro-
lection deemed desirable by the COM
mission. It may be doubted indeed,
whether such protection could be rem
dered efficient in the face OF a steady
and rapid decline in the Alaska herd.
Wherever the fur seal has been discov-
cred, extirpation has speedily followed.
OF all the vast herds of these animals
that have been known to civilized men,
but three remain-a small herd on the
Lobos Islands, protected by the gov
ernment of Uruguay; the Russian seal
] rookeries on the islands Of Copper and
Bering off the coast of KamchaJka;
and the Alaska herd on the Pribilof
/ Islands. The attempt to preserve the
/ Alaska seals has cost the Federal gov
ernment about $4,000, 600 within five
years past; ;while.the revenue since 1890
from royalties on seals taken has been
S7O721. Scarcely five hundred Ameri-
cans are engaged at the present time
in the seal industry; while in London
over $4,000 persons are employed il
dressing the skins. The paramount in
terest of British traders in the adop
tion of an equitable mOdus vivendi fOl
the preservation of the Alaskan hero
is apparent Should no such arrange
ment be made, the bin passed by thu
! last Congress authorizing the secre
tary of the Treasury to kill all seals il
the Pribilof Islands would become oper
4 ative.-Newark News
Professor James Bellem, of Philadel
phia, and Hon. L. Irving Handy, tn
: Democratic nominee for congressman
will speak to a large number of Ger
q man Democrats in Turn Hall this even
ing.
A big regular Republican meetin
will be held at Seaford to-day, tn
y speakers being Colonel Beniami
e Nields, Hon. John c. Higgins and Rot
g ert G.. Houston.
is A Democratic meeting at Talleyvil
ie this evening will be addressed by J'
IS siah Marvel, Howell S. England an
e. r. Cochran, Jr.
l. William S. Hines will speak
n Twelfth ward regular Republicans tn
evening.
Tenth ward Republicans will he
William NJ. Byrne this evening.
A. Word is being quietly passed aloi
the Addicks line to knife HoraceG G. RI
tew all over the county, as he is FIRE
sc erick r. Bach's friend and an avoW
nj enemy of the gas man.
n A Democratic meeting at Lewes Il
e. evening will be addressed by Senat
e Bacon, of Georgia, one of the me
Is gifted orators of the South.
"a Peter S. Blake, the regular Repuh
II can colored leader of the Fifth wa
he will address a negro mass meeting
ell at Townsend to-day.
or
Ith Regular Republicans are arrangin
business mems parade for Saturd
la evening and will endeavor to make
lid a big affair Six brass bands have b'
raj engaged and other bands Will
Or brought from Philadelphia and Ch
he ter. Five thousand Bengal lights h;
MA been ordered and it is expected L
ms fully 5000 men will be in line.
lly whole affair will conclude with a "a
CO. and ten-minute speeches at the AU
the torium.
nc The regular Republicans of \
~ Creek hundred are up in arms agai