New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-09
PRICE THREE CENTS.
TO PROTECT THE FUR SEALS.
THE PRESIDENT DECIDES THAT PROMPT
ACTION IS NECESSARY.
JOHN W. FOSTER AND Ex-sEcRErARY YAMf.rN
APPOINTED TO DEVISE MEASURES FOR
THAT PuRPosE-ENGLAND's IN
FRIENDLY ATTITUDE
tBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBuNEl

tBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRrBUNEl
Washington, April S.-The seals Of Behring Sea
and their protection against unlawful slaughter
is an important question 10 which President Mo-
Kinley and Secretaries Sherman and Gage have
decided to give immediate and careful atten-
ton. The fact became known to-day that Just
before his departure the Dolphin the Presl-
dent decided after conference with the Secre-
tary OF State and the Secretary OF the Treasury,
that owing TO the gravity OF the case and the
nearness OF the approaching sealing season
prompt action was necessary Pursuant 10 the
suggestion of his advisers the President author
ized the appointment OF ex- x-Sccretary John w.
Foster and ex-Asslstant Secretary Hamlin. OF
the Treasury Department as commission 10
consider the question Of how best TO protect tho
seals. These appointments were made to-day
by Secretary Sherman They are not OF the kind
which requires confirmation by the Senate.
General Foster and Mr. Hemlin Will be v.rtu-
ally expert agents or commissioners OF the State
Department Their qualifications for the execu-
ton or the important work which has been IN.
trusted to them are OF the highest General Fos-
ter has given long and earnest consideration to
the Behring Sea question No man in the coun-
try Is so we'll Informed on the subject as he Az
Secretary OF State he prepared the OF tho
United States for the Paris Tribunal which
adopted the Behring Sea awards Mr. Hamln
also made study Of the practical side OF the
question Of preventing pelagic scaling. In the
summer OF 1S9j he visited Alaska, and made an
extensive inquiry into the subject Of seal life the
practices Of the poachers etc His report on his
investigations is regarded at the Treasury De.
partment as one Of much interest and value
President McKinleys attention was called to
the Behrins Sea question almost Immediately az
ter his Inauguration by Secretary Gage Mr.
Hamlin having represented TO the Secretary
that. as the sealing would oren early
In the summer and existing rules for the
prevention OF poaching were not satisfactory
or sufficient for the object in view. 1t i'm
portant that steps should at once be taken look
ing to the adoption Of more effective measures
against pelagic sealing. Just before starting on
his trip down the Potomac, President Mckinley
decided that the whole subject should be
mitted 10 board Of experts. The Presidents
desire is that General Foster AMI Mr.. Hamn
should report wherein the present rules adopted
in pursuance Of tire provisions OF the Paris
award are inadequate to insure the protection
OF the seals. and what further rules should be
agreed TO by this country and Great Britain
10 prevent poaching
II reports are true, and It is probable that
they are, England has already manifested de-
termination 10 resort to her usual programme OF
procrastination concerning an agreo ment over
the rules to govern the coming sealing season.
One serious embarrassment in the past and
one chief cause of the wholesale slaughter OF
the seals has been chat Great Britain, favoring
her Canadian poachers has studiously prevented
an agreement for the approaching season being
reached before the season actually opened
These diplomatic delays have resulted In num-
Der Of Canadian vessels getting on the sealing
grounds before the prohibitive terms OF the rules
1orr strrnx 10 m
can patrol fleet did not receive its instructions
until three four days before the season
opened The instructions had 10 be telegraphed
20 the commander Of the feet. and the vessels
had TO go north at full speed HabituaIy Eng
land had held back. not consentng TO many
needed notifications Of the rules until num-
ber Of roachlng vessels cleared from Canadian
ports for the sealing grounds In no year since
the Paris award has Great Britain shown
disposition 70 assist this country in protecting
the seal herds. -.
General Foster and Mr.. Hamn were at ths
State Department to-day. receiving their IN
structions from Secretary Sherman. For soms
time they devoted their attention 10 bulky cor.
RI espondence on the seal question, which had
been collected for them. The instructions given
TO the two commissioners have not been MADE
public. 1t is known. however that tney haVs
been directed to prepare suggestions calcuateu
TO insure better protection OF the seals than -
given by the rules now in force IL IS possiule
that Great Britain will be requested 70 appoins
two commissioners TO meet General roster anu anu
Mr. Hanlin and 60 over the general SUBJECT WIN
a view TO reaching common conclusion. II IS
perhaps too early to make the announcemene
definitely, although II was hhted at the 'ta'e
Department this aftern )on
A representative OF The Tribune was informea
that the paper TO which General Foster ana
Mr. Hamlin gave particular attention to-oay
u.ss report showing how dilatory Great Britain
has been each season In consenting 10 the terms
OF the orders sent to the commander or the
American patrol fleet and her failure zealousE
70 ass,st the fleet In preventing pOaching. This
report puts England's course in decidedly un-
friendly light.