The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-12
BERING SEA CONFERENCE.
Statistics Presented That show the
Eject of PeIagic Sealing.


WASHINGTON, Nov. n.-At to-day's
Bering sea conference the report of Prof
Lucas on the habits Of the seal was read,
as We're also the reports of Messrs. Jordan,
Thompson and Macoun. The reports of
Professors Jordan and Thompson had not
been exchanged heretofore The papers led
to considerable discussion which was, gen.
orally speaking. of an amicable character
although some marked differences of opinion
we're exchanged
Before the conference opened She officials
and ladies of the party inspected the new
congressional library. The conference be-
gan at IL o'clock with full representation
OF the British Canadian and American Off
cials. Fer the first time the statistics OF the
catch of seals for the present year was
available. These were compiled by the
American officials and brought out prom
inentiy two features which were regarded
as most important in supporting the Ameri-
can contention, namely, that the catch mad
fallen off about One-half during the present
season. showing concusively, III the opinion
OF the American experts, that the seal hero
was being rapidly wiped out; and. second,
that the catch Of seals from the American
Islands in Eering was about 10 to as
between the Canadian sealeFs under the
British flag and American sealers. The
same proportion was shown to exist
throughout the waters of the North Pa
cihc. In detail the figures for this seasons
catch are as follows: Total catch of seals
III the North Pacific for the present sea-
son. $500, against $4,000 last yer. the total
catch this year is divided as follows: Iaken
by British vessels. 30.S00; by American yes
sells, 41C9: by Japanese vessels $500. The
catch in Boring sea, which is that portion
Of the North Pacific in which the United
States is interested. is 1850 for the present
season, against 29.5O0 last season, reduc-
ton of about one-half OF the, catch in
Bering sea British vessels took l5,6O0,
American vessels / $50 The figures made no
distinction between British and Canadian
vessels as practically all the sealing is done
by Canadian vessels which. however, are
n0minally classed as British. The falling
off of about one-half in the total catch both
in Bering sea and the North Pacific is said
to be most significant in view OF the cir
cumstances. The present season is a bet
ter one. the experts say. for the taking OF
seals than last season. The regulations APP
ply this season last. Under these cir
cumstances, it is said, the conclusion to be
drwn from this years figures is that the
seal herd has been reduced by indiscrlm-
mate slaughter at the alarming rate OF
about one-haif in the last year.
Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the Canadian pre-
Tnier, Sir Louis Davis. the minister OF ma
rine Of Canada, and the other officials who
are taking part in the Bering-sea negotia-
fions were entertained at dinner by Presi-
dent Mckinley. at the executive mansion
tonight The list of guests was con1lned
to gentlemen, and included the members or
the Cabinet. The guests assembled in the
Blue parior shortly before OF clock, where
President Mckinley met them. Escorting
Premier Laurier. the President led the way
20 the private dining room. where the taDle,
simply adorned with white chrysanthe-
NUNS. was set. The Marine Band was
present and played throughout the dinner.