The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-12-07

merely mean that We forfeited our
commercial rights in Morocco n
would not achieve another object of
anv kind. In the event of such re-
fusal we would be left for the first
time in a hundred n twenty years
without any commercial treaty with
Morocco; and this at a time when We
are everywhere seeking new markets
and outlets for trade
FUR SEALS.
The destruction Of the Pribilof Is
lands fur seals by pelagic sealing still
continues. The herd which. according
to the urvey made in 1874 by dlrec-
ton of he congress, numbered AGO.
900, and which, according to the sur
vey of both American and Canadian
commissioners in 1891, amounted to
1000, 900. has now been reduced to
about $50, 900. This result has been
brought about by Canadian: and some
other sealing vessels killing the ma
seals in the water during their annual
pilgrimage to and from the south. or
in search of food. AS a rule the fe-
male seaI when killed is pregnant, and
also has an unweaned pup on land. so
that, for each skin taken by pelagic
sealing, a a rule, three lives are de-
stroyed-the mother, h unborn Ofe-
spring, and the nursing pup, which is
left to starve to death. No damage
whatever is lone to the herd by the
carefully regulated killing on land: the
custom OF pelagic sealing is solely re-
sponsiblc for all of the present evil,
and is alike indefensible from the econ
omic standpoint and from the stand
point of humanity.
In 1896 over 16. 900 young seals were
found dead from starvation on the Pri-
bilof stands. In 1879 its was estima-
ted that since pedagic sealing began
upward Of 400, 0 adult female seals
had been killed at sea, and over 100000
young seals had died. of starvation
as the result. The revolving barbarity
Of such practices. as we'll as the
wasteful destruction which it involves.
needs no demonstration and is its own
condemnation. The Bering Sea Trlbu-
nal, which sat in Paris. in 1893, and
which decided against the claims OF
the United States to exclusive jurisd1c-
ton in the waters of Bering Sea and
to q property right in the fur seals
When outside of the three mile limit,
determined also upon certain regula-
tons which the Tribunal considered
sufficient for the proper protection
and preservation of the fur seal
in, or habitually resorting to, the
Rering Sea. The Tribunal by lit
regulations established a close season.
from the 1st of May to the 31st of July,
and excluded all killing in the waters
within so miles around h PribilOf Is
ands. They also provided that he
regulations which they had ~deterrnin-
ed upon, with a view to h protection
and preservation of the seals, should
be submitted every five years to new
| examination, so as to enable both in
tercsted governments to consider
whether, in the light of past expert
, ence, there was occasion for any modi-
| fcation thereof.
The regulations have proved plain
ly inadequate to accomplish the object
| of protection and preservation of the
| fur seals, and for a long time this
| government has been trying i'll vain to
| secure from Great Britain such revi-
| sion and modification of the regula-
| tons as were contemplated and pro-
| vided for by the award of the Tribunal
of Paris.
The process of destruction has been
accelerated during recent years by the
! appearance of 2 number of Japanese
vessel engaged in pelagic sealing. AS
these vessels have not been bound ever
by the Inadequate limitations prescrib-
ed by the Tribunal of Paris. they have
paid no attention either to the close
season or to h sixty-mile limit I'M
posed upon the Canadians. and have
prosecuted their work up to h Very
islands themselves. On July IS and
II. the crews from several japanese
vessels made raids upon the island OF
st. Paul, and before they were beaten
of. by the very meager and %insufici-
emily armed guard, they succeeded ir
killing several hundred seals n carry
ing of the skins of most of them
Nearly All the seals killed were female:
and the work was done with frightfu
barbarity. Many of the seals appear
-.- Ioo- I;-~o olive M nan
were found half skinned and still alive
The raids were repeled only by tn
use of firearms. and five of the raider
werc killed, two were wounded, ant
twelve captured. including the TIVE
wounded. Those captured have sine
been tried and sentenced tc imprlson
ment. An attack of this kind hat
been wholly unlookt for but such pro
vision Of vessels, arms and ammunition
will now be made that its repetition
will rot be found profitable.
Suitable representations regardini
the incident have been made to tn
government of Japan, and we are as
sured that all practicable measure
will be taken by that country to pre-
vent any recurrence Of the outrage
On our part, the guard on the islam
will be increased, and better eQuippe
and organized. and a better revenue
| cutter patrOl service acDut the lSldIiu
will be established; next season
United States war vessel will also b
sent there.
5 We have not relaxed u efforts t
+ secure an agreement with @reat Br1
|. tain for adequate protect on y the sea
herd. and negotiations with Japan TO
the same purposes are il progress.
f The laws for the protection OF III
seals within the jurisdiction of tn
/ United states need revision and ameno
. ment. Only the islands OF st PA
I and ST. George are now. in terms. IT
Guided ir the government r~eservatiol
e and the ether island are $50 TO I
t Included. The landing of aliens
8 we'll as citizens upon the islands, with
o ont a permit from the department
and labor. for any purpo:
n except in case Of stress Of weather {
: for water, should be prohshite9 n
e adequate penalties. The approach
a vessels for excepted shou
y be regulated. The a"tho"'+v Of Il