Arizona republican., 1899-04-24

Morton, has held a government posi- tton as chief of commissioners Of the seal Islands of Alaska. There are four commissioners who have suprsme control over the islands with the eX- ception of the disposition of crin'- nals The Seal Islands come under the jurisdiction of the treasury de- partment, and the commission is es- l t3bEshed partly to protect the govern ments interests in sealing and also to protect the inha bitants who may be classed as government wards. MT. Morton visits the islands every sum- mer, and he Is on his way there now He will leave tor.gk't. It is necessary for some one to be present at the Seal Islands throughout the year to look after the natives, the Aleutians. But the greater part Of the sealing is done in the summer months.
 Tt might be of interest," said MT Morton. ito trace the sealing opera tioTE Cf Alaska since it passed from Russian control. Sealing was done almost promiscously until 1870, when the government let the exclusive priv flege to the Alaska Commercial con- pany. The contract provided, as 1t does now, that only males should be
 
 should be taken q year. The contract expired in 1890 when the North American Commercial company was the successful bidder, and the priv lege was leased under the same terms The number of seals has so decreased that last year the company was able 10 take out only 19,000
 This devastation is mostly the work of pelagLc fishers, or as We call them ''poachers." The damage done by the pelagic fishers is in the destruc- tion of so many females In the sum- mer the seals stay very close to land but the females who nourish their young go out on the high seas to feed, after which they lie on the sur face fast asleep until the food has been digested. Tn this state they are easy prey for "poachers." Males make up only about 20 per cent of the catch of the pelagic sea1ers.
 The government has been trying tc bring about an international settle ment. When the commission met about three years ago some restric- tfons were made on fishing, but pal- ag1c fishers now enjoy tlhe same priv lbeges as before. Now, we thought that the international meeting a year ago would stop the practice of poaching 70 some extent, but the death of Lord Herscheu left the matter in s-atu quo. You see this question really lf- faets no countries but the United States and Canada. It makes little difference who does the fishing, as far as England is concerned, because all furs are shipped there for manipula- tion, and England is only concerned on the part of Canada. Russia and Japan, which have taken active parts in the meetings of the commission have no interests in the Alaskan seals. They take a great many ssals from the Asiatic waters in which lives a herd entirely distinct 9
 Speaking of the seal islands. MT. Morton said: The summer climate is very pleasant, but for fogs, which at times completely hide the sun fort period of six weeks. The habitaItts are a peculiar class of people It is the prevailing opinion that they orig finally came from the Japan islands. They are short in stature and bear a strong resemblance to the Japanese. A few years ago a shipw- -ecked boat was seen near the shore, and it was discovered that Japanese were on board. The beat had been caught in 8 storm and forced across the Berhing strait
 ''The Aleutians have been taught the Russian tongue, but American schools have been Cn the islands for twenty years and the younger genera ton is fast becon Ing Americanized The people are very passive and we receive very little trouble at their hands,"