Perth Amboy evening news., 1906-08-09
DIFFICULTY
OVER SEALS
No Apology TO be Made to Mix.
ado for Killing of Japanese
POaCheTS.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 9.-The killing
of five Japanese seal poachers on the
island of st. Paul of the Pribilof group,
in Alaskan waters. by order of Special
Agent 'Lempke of the department of
commerce an. labor has brought about
the most serious international situation
produced for many years by troubles
over the seal fisheries.
The facts have been reported to the
department of m and labor by
Edwin w. Sims, until lately solicitor
for the department, sent to Alaskan
waters some weeks ago on a special
mission connected with the seal and
salmon fisheries. Mr.. Sims reported
from Dutch Harbqr, Alaska, where the
revenue cutter McCulloch arrived July
26 from st. Paul island, having twelve
japanese prisoners on board.
The killing or capture of the Japanese
was the outcome of a raid of four
japanese fishing schooners on the seal
islands. Scouts of the North American
Commercial company. which has a seal
ing contract with the government, re-
ported the presence of the raiders to
Lempke.
At his orders a Japanese boat crew
surrendered, but a number of raiders,
who were skinning seal at another
point. refused, tried to escape, and
were fired on by Lempke's native
guard. They had slaughtered seal in
discriminatory.
The facts have been reported to the
state department by Acting Secretary
Murray of the department of commerce
and labor.
Mr.. Sims has asked for another rev.
enue cutter, and the Perry will be put
at his service. The department Of JUS
tice is, expected to comply with his re-
quest for assistance in prosecuting the
prisoners. IS
Sims was sent to the sealing waters
by the president with the distinct pur-
pose of seeing to it that the seal poach-
ing was broken up, and there is little
doubt this government will stand firm
regardless of the international devel-
opments.
Acting Secretary Bacon has sent to
AllDdSSduOI wight at IONNO tiC oub-
stance of the dispatch received by the
department of m and labor
from Solicitor Sims at Sitka, Alaska,
regarding the killing Of five Japanese
fishermen on st. Paul island. In send
ing the dispatch the acting secretary
states that it is forwarded for the pur-
pose of giving information such as this
government has of a regrettable Incl
dent, news of which may reach Japan
in distorted form.
There is no intention Of Offering an
apology or any further regret than is
contained In this dispatch, as the state
department regards the Japanese fish
ermen as poachers if they were within
the three mile limit, and the dispatch
from Mr.. Sims emphasizes this fact.
1t is stated that the American fisher
men In Newfoundland waters, il with
In the three mile limit, would be sub
feet to arrest by British authorities and
would have no redress, as they would
be poachers the same as the Japanese
who were killed on st. Paul island.
The Japanese charge, Mr.. Miyaoka.
called at the state department for in
formation about the killing of the Jap
anese. He had received no dispatches
from his government concerning the
affair, and Acting Secretary Bacon
gave him the same information which
was sent to Ambassador Wright.
Seals are recognized as property by
international law, and the Japanese
killed by American officials on st.
Paul island stand In the same po-
sition as burglars shot in the act of
stealing, according to prominent au-
thorities on international law. No in
%ternational incident can result from
the shooting OF the Japanese poachers.
1t Is said ut the state department. This
government has no amends to make to
Japan other than those that courtesy
may prompt. and a mere expression
of regret that such an incident should
take place is III that is looked for.