The San Francisco call., 1897-12-18
Important Provision in
the Anti-PelagiC Seal
ing Bill.
Prevents the Importation of
Furs Taken in Boring
Waters.
Aimed at British and Canadian
Dealers Wno Ship to This
Country.
Special Dispatch to THE CAL1.
CALL OFFICE, RIGGs HOUSE,
M A.rrrNrl--rnn- II q n IL


WASHINGTON. d. c., Nov. III
1t has been developed that the bill re-
lating 10 pelagic sealing, which has just
passed both branches of Congress and is
before the President, contains provision
OF far-reac ing importance which has thus
lar escaped attention. This places an alb
solute prohibition on the further bring
ing of sealskins into the United States
from any source whatever. AS the United
States is the largest market in the world
for sealskins, this complete stoppage OF
the trade in this country will be severe
measure against the British and Canadian
industries, which take and cure the skins
and then dispose OF them largely in the
United States.
When The bill was proposed 1t was gen.
orally supposed that it's only purpose was
10 prohibit American citizens from carry
ing on pelagic sealing. This feature was
the only one to attract attention during
the discussions. At the close of the bill,
however, Is a section which is not re-
stricted TO Americans, but applies to seal
skins in general taken in the waters
mentioned in this act, = which include the
whole Pacific Ocean. The provision Is as
follows:
Section 9-That the importation into the
United states by any person whatsoever OF fur
sealskins taken in the waters mentioned in
this act, whether raw, dressed. dyed or manu-
factured, is hereby prohibited. and all such
articles imported alter this act shall take ef-
feet shall not be permitted TO be exported, but
sb all be seized and destroyed by the proper
officers OF the United States.
Those who are thoroughly familiar with
the bill say this provision is of far more I'M
portance in its effect than the prohibition
against pela ic sealing by Americans.
The correspondence which passed be-
tween Sir Wifi ed Laur er the Canadian
Premier, and General Foster, e Ameri-
can negotiator, touching the seal negotia-
tions since the Washington conference
last month, has just been made public. 1t
consists of Two letters. In he first. dated
Ottawa, November "a, Sir Wilfred Laurier
passes upon the proposition OF our Govern
ment which wa taken back to Canada by
him at the conclusion OF the conference.
He says he is willing 10 enter at once upon
review of the whole seal question,
though the Paris award wa made rev s.
able only at the end of five years, pro-
vided the other questions OF importance
to the counIries-lm migration, reciproc-
lty fish protection, etc-be considered at
the same time. He declines, however, to
| suspend sealing meantime, on the ground
| that the fleet would be dissipated en-
| tirely; that the owners OF vessels would
| be entitled 10 com pensation beyond the
disposition of Parliament to vote, and
| finally that, as shown by the experts re-
port. there is now a tendency toward
equilibrium in the maintenance of the
seal herd. He sug that if C Joint
com ission to consider all questions at
issue, inclu ling this, be It once appointed,
/ il would be possible 10 secu the neces- =
sary legislation from Parliament at the
February session and from Congress dur
| ing the present session TO insure the exc
cution OF any recommendation with re-
| gard to Bering Sea next season.
The second letter is from General Fos-
ter to Sir WIlfred. dated Washington,
| Dece ber 2. General Foster SAYS that
| Sir Wifred's answer amounts to declina-
| tion of his proposition and a renewal of
| the Canadian prosposition made at the
| conference, and that the President de-
clines to reverse his position on that
point. Should the herd reach the equi-
| librium pointed out by Sir Wilfred,
! II will have passed the period when ne
| gotiaiions will be OF any avail; besides
| as the Unite 1 States will be put to the ex-
pense OF $150,000 to maintain the patrol
next year, pela lc sealing ought 10 be
voluntarily given up because it Is un-
nei gh borly and inhuman.
| General Foster expresses regret that Sir
| Wilfred's visit to Washington gives SO
| little promise of satisfactory results but
entertains the hope that 1t may yet bear
good fruits