New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-16
THE FUR SEALS DOOMED.
DIFFERENTIATION FAVORED BY THE FOR
EIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE.
NO OTHER METHOD OF PREVENTING THE BAR
BARoUs WORK OF PELAGIc sEALERs-ENo-
LAND NOT LIKELY TO CONSENT TO
AMENDMENT OF THE REGU-
LATIONs-PACIFIC CABLE

LATIONS-PAClFIC CABLE
BILLS DISCUSSED
WASHINGTON. Feb 15-The Senate Committee
on Foreign Relations gave great deal OF time
this morning to the consideration Of the bill
before 1t providing for the determination Of the
fur seal herds the only means OF preventing
pelagic sealing and stopping the brutal slaughter
now being carried on by Canadian sealers. All
the members Of the committee were present ex-
cept Mr. Morgan, and owing TO his absence final
action was not taken. The discussion disclosed
the fact however. that the committee was In
favor Of the bill and would so report to the
Senate.
II is manifest to the committee that Great
Britain will not consent to an amendment OF the
regulations heretofore agreed on. and that moth
ing can be done t. prevent the slaughter which
has been going on Tor years. Without the as
sstance Of Great Britain in policing the waters
of the Northern Pacific. the committee believes
that the United States will be unable to prevent
this indiscriminate slaughter and ultimate de-
struction Of the herd.
The only thing then. that remains to be done.
from the point Of view OF the committee Is to
end the trouble by wiping out Its cause. unless
Great Britain enters into an arrangement with
this Government which will effectually stop H.
legal sealing and protect the herds. instead Of
affording a cloak under which to carry on flag
rant violations Of the law.
The bill authorizes the President to conclude
negotiations with Great Britain. Russia and
Japan for the appointment Of a commission to
investigate the present condition OF the seal
herds and the methods Of slaughtertng them and
to consider what further regulations are neces-
sary for their preservation. Pending this investi
cation and report. the President is authorized to
conclude and proclaim modus v!vendi with the
Governments named. providing for new regula-
tons or suspending or altering the existing reg
ulations established by the Paris Tribunal. or
limiting the catch in any manner which may be
deemed expedlent for the preservation OF the
seal herds, this agreement to expire by limita-
ton, unless previously terminated. on January
/, 1898
If this modus vivendi is not concluded and regu-
latons under the same effectual In the judgment
Of the President for preserving the seal herds be
not put into operation on or before May l. 1896,
the Secretary Of the Treasury with the approval
Of the President, Is authorized TO take and XIII
each and every fur seal. male and female which
may be found the Pribyloff Islands and sep
the skins TO the best advantage. This stern but
apparently only effectual remedy remaining mas
not been agreed on by the committee without the
most careful consideration. and after the con-
clusion was reached that through this means only
could the pelagic sealing which Is gradually
through the most barbara practices, extermnat-
ing the seal herds be brought TO stop.
PACIFIC CABLE PROJECTS.
The committee aleo discussed the various DIS
before it providing for the construction OF tele-
graphic cable between this country and Hawaii
and Japan The judgment of the majority OF the
committee Is favorable to a proposition OF this
character. but there has been no capitalization
Of sentiment on any particular BILL The Demo
era tic members OF the committee oppose the Idea
OF granting anything like a subsidy 1t Is prob
a
ported granting a subsidy amounting 10 not more
than $3.50, 900 year. but with certain limitations
All the propositions before the committee ofler 10
carry Government messages free for twenty
years. go
The committee Will. IL Is said agree TO Dill
granting this subsidy. but with modification
which will provide that at the expiration OF the
twenty years the difference between the bonus OF
$3.50 900 a year paid TO the company and the COST
OF the messages sent over the line shall be set
apart to the credit OF the Government to be used
by II in payment Of cable tolls after the SUBSIDY
has ceased No member OF the committee be-
lieves that the full amount Of 100000 would Do
used in any one year In cable tolls on this hne
and this provision is deemed necessary. some
measure along these lines will be favorably re-
ported to the Senate.