The herald., 1897-07-15

on some rookeries there was an Increase
and on others decrease, but on the
whole possible state of equilibrium for
the last two years, although he con-
cedes diminution as compared with
1892 All the professor claims is ad-
mitted against the contention that since
pelagic sealing became general the de-
cline of the herd has been steady and
rapid. Since the receipt of Lord Sal
| isbury's dispatch explicit inquiry has
| been made of DR.. Jordan as to the rel
ative condition of the herd in 1895 and in
1896 and in previous years. He has fur
nished the chapter on the decline of the
herd from the forthcoming final report
of himself and associates Although
Prof Thompson has been very careful
throughout the report to say nothing
likely to embarrass his Government in
the CONCLUSIONS" the voice of the true
scientific investigator speaks in firm
and certain tones. While he regards the
alarming statements
of the herds immense decrease"
as overdrawn, he says there is still
abundant need for care and for prudent
measures of conservation in the inter
est of ALL"
1t is not easy to understand how Lord
Salisbury can reconcile his ref lsal to
entertain the proposals Of the President
with the interests Of his own country
men, to say nothing of the friendly re-
lations which he has been desirous of
maintaining with the United States,
Russia and Japan.
The experience had with the scientific
commission of 1892, as well as the re-
ports of 1896, just under review, make it
difficult through them to reach har-
mony of views, but we have at hand GER
tain statistics of undisputed author
ity pointing Enthusiastically to conclu-
sions which should be controlling.
Here Secretary Sherman quotes we'll
known statistician, showing the de-
crease in the catch. He says: Lord
Salisbury attributes this large falling
off in Bering Sea to the stormy weather
prevailing but does not cite his au-
thority. 1 am not aware of any purpose
to that effect. Captain Hopper, who
commanded the American cruising fleet
in Bering Sea in 1895 and 1896 reports:
1.-THE weather in Bering Sea was not ma
terially different the last two years.
The point when sealing ceased to be
profitable seems to have been reached
during the last year. Lord Salisbury in
forms us that the result has brought
many owners of sealing vessels to the
verge of bankruptcy" 1t thus appears
that the condition of things predicted
by the Government of the United States
has already come to pass-the CONNER
cial determination of the seals.
Here follows long and exhaustive re-
view written by the Secretary, showing
the reports made by Secretaries Gres-
ham and Olney to secure a settlement
of the dispute. Continuing, Secretary
Sherman says: "The manner in which
the British Government has discharged
it's police duties under the award is in
marked contrast with its appeal for
strict observance of the five years pc
riod of the regulations. An equal obli-
CATION rests upon each Govern ment to
patrol the waters embraced in the award
in order to see that the regulations are
not violated by the sealing vessels"
The Secretary of State here quotes.
figures to sustain his contention, and
says: 'As it is shown that practically
no patrol service had been rendered in
Bering sea by the British cruisers during
the previous year, the inference would
seem to be that her Majesty's govern
ment understood that the American
cruisers only We're to perform patrol
duty and the British cruisers to talk
over and act upon the validity of seiz-
ure of British vessels
The detailed enforcement of the reg
ulations has further developed on the
part of the British government strange
misconception of the true spirit and in
- q, rI,t