The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-01-30
CRUEL. BARBAROus And W.AsTEFvl-."
Prof David Starr Jordan Considers Suggestion Representative Slaughter
Seals In Order to Prevent Further Friction Between United
nd GeatDnh

The sensational method proposed in a
bin introduced by Representative Johnson
of North Dakota, for settling forever the
much Vexed seal question does not meet
with favor among the experts. No seals.
no quarreis between the United States and
Canada. argues Representative Johnson.
Therefore let US slaughter all the seals,
and with their furry little hides bury faith
ems deep the bone of contention between
two great nations. Prof. David Starr Jor-
dan president of Stanford university who
was the leading expert for the United
States government in the seal negotiations
last autumn strongly opposes Mr. John
sons drastic measure and he tells why in
no uncertain way as Will be seen by the
following statement written by Mr.. Jor-
dan especially fer this purpose:
The principal objections against The Prop
ositon recently made In congress for the
determination of the fur seal herd of the
Pribilof islands by slaughtering II in its
Breeding haunts are:
Fifst-Such a measure could not be put
into effect. The seals are never all present
at one time on the islands. They are COM
ing and going all the time from the first Of
June until the frs; OF November In the
breeding season. when the greatest num-
Der OF seals are on shore, less than half OF
the actual number are present. A: this
time the breeding seals cannot be handled
In any way. 1T would take a regiment Of
men 10 move a harem bull from his post
To kill OF the breeding seals would neces-
state The shooting Of each individually
The grounds they occupy being close TO
The wafer s edge, many must escape. II Is
not certain that all classes OF seals come %
the islands at all. To perform the work %
destruction ia single season w0nld re-
quire an army Of men and 1t would be
necessary To c0n,fne the work through sew
ersl seasons TO complete Il. Il indeed tAis
could be done a. all.
Second The measure would rot attain
the end sought. namely, a settlement Of the
fur seal dispute As has already bseu
stated II would probably not he possible %
biologtcauy rySlnste the herd. L
hunted remEan. would remain. and Il ~ $
we're no more than single pair. & might
iu time revive the fur seal herd and win
il the whole fur seal question. II Is. Of
course not 10 he suppcs That the gov
ernmsnt would keep a force Of men year
after year "a clear the islands Of seals.
Thlrd-The measure would involve the
Ruthless destruction Of valuable prop
erty. yielding not merely revenue 10 the
t-astrd States and its citizens. hut prod
act Of general utility 20 MANKIND. The
fur seal herd formerly yielded annually
ls 40 skins These were taken from su-
perfauogs young males whose removal
OK ~ % the polygamOGs habits Of the ami
mas was a positive benefit 70 the herd.
These skins under the presen. lease 81 the
islands would he worth in tax alone an
annual income 20 the government OF 81 00.-
80 r. en- IN Us present depleted condition.
the herd has me past season yielded = es9
skins or A revenue OF s9A 00 tsdsr
proper protection the uueleus OF the herd
whieh sfN remains woBId insure is res
toraFiCa In former conditions The prop
erty represented 20 our government ~ tia
far seal herd is nof far from 50 se ga and
i can be made % yield revenue Of fran