The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1906-12-04

TnE Fua SEAL aunsrIoN.



Ia Needed.
The destruction OF the PFibilof Islands
fur seals BY pelagic sealing stiii con
surveys made in 1874 By direction Or the
congress. numbered 400 zoo. and which.
according TO the survey Of both American
and Canadian commissioners in 1891,
dueed to about 1S0.01o This result has
been brought about by Canadian and
some other sealing vessels killing the
female seals while IN the water during
south, or In search OF food. As a rule the
female seal when killed Is pregnant and
also has an unweaned pup on land. 50
that, for each skin taken BY pelagic seal
ing, as a rule. three lives are destroyed
he mother, the unborn offspring. and the
nursing pup. which Is left to slarve 10
death. No damage whatever is done TO
the herd BY the carefully regulated killing
on land; the custom OF pelagic sealing Is
solely responsible for an Of the present
evil and is alike indefensible from the
economic standpoint and from the stand
In 1895 over 1000 young seals were
found dead from starvation on the Prib-
ilof islands In 1897 IL was estimated
that since palagic sealing began upward
Of 100000 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 a prac-
tlse, as we'll as the wasteful destruction
and is its own condemnation. The
Berlng sea tribunal, which sat in Paris
In 1883, and which decided against the
claims Of the United States 70 exclusive
jurisdiction in the waters of Bering sea
and to property right in the fur seals
when outside OF the three mile limit.
determined also upon certain regulations
which the tribunal considered sufficient
for the proper protection and preserva-
ton OF the fur seal IN, or habitually re-
sorting 70, the Bering sea. The tribunal
by Its regulations established close sea-
son. from the lst OF May to the slst Of
ters within SO miles around the Pribilof
islands They also provided that the
regulations which they had determined
upon. WIN yiew to % The prosestMon pa M and and
mitted every five years to new exam
inatl0n, 80 as to enable both interested
governments to consider whether, In the
light OF past experience, there was occa-
sion for any modification thereof.
The regulations have proved plainly
inadequate to accomplish the object OF
protection and preservation Of the fur
ment has been trying in vain to secure
from Great Britain such revision ana
modification Of the regulations as were
contemplated and provided for by the
award Of the tribunal Of Paris.
Raids by Japanese.
The process OF destruction has been ac-
pearance OF number Of Japanese ves-
sells engaged in pelagic sealing. AS these
vessels have not been bound even by
the Inadequate limitations prescribed by
no attention either TO the close season
or to the 60-mile limit imposed upon the
Canadians, and have prosecuted their
work upon the very islands themselves.
On July l6 and II, the crews from sew
eral Japanese vessels made raids upon
the island of ST Paul, and before they
were beaten OFF by the very meager and
insufficiently armed guard, they succeed
ed in killing several hundred seals and
carrying off the skins OF most of them.
Nearly all the seals killed were fe-
males and the work was done with
appear to have been skinned alive, and
many were found half skinned and still
alive. The raids were repelled only
by the use of firearms, and five of the
and W Il captured. incIuding the two
wounded Those captured have since
been tried and sentenced to imprison-
ment An attack Of this kind had been
wholly unlookt for, but such provision OF
vessels, arms and ammunition will now
be made that its repetition will not be
found profitable.
Suitable representations regarding the
incident have been made to the govern
ment of Japan. and we are assured that
all practical measures will be taken by
that country to prevent any recurrence
on the island will be increased. and bet
ter equipped and organized and better
revenue cutter patrol service about the
islands will be established next season
a United States war vessel will also be
sent there
We have not relaxed our efforts to se-
cure an agreement with Great Britain
fc. adequate protection Of the seal herd.
and negotiations with Japan for the same
purpose are in progress.
H~.a u.-s.sc-
The laws for the protection Of the
seals within the jurisdiction of the United
only ths Islands OF st. Paul and St
George are now, In terms included In
the government reservation, and the
other islands are also to be included.
The landing of aliens as wen as citizens
upon the islands, without permit from
the department Of commerce and labor,
for any purpose except in case Of stress
OF weather or for water, should be pro-
hibited under adequate penalties. The
approach Of vessels for the excepted
purposes should pc regulated. The au-
thority of the government agents on the
islands should be enlarged, and the
chief agent should have the powers of a
committing magistrate. The entrance Of
vessel into the territorial waters sur
rounding the islands with intent to take
seals should be made a criminal Of
fense and cause of forfeiture. Author
ity for seizures in such cases should be
NEN~
sci of seals or sealsgins, or the para
phernalia for taking them. should be made
prima facie evidence Of such intent I
recommend what legislation Is needed to
accomplish these ends; and l commend
to your attention the report OF Mr.. Sims.
of the department OF commerce and la
bor on this subject
In case we are compelled to abandon
the hope Of making arrangements with
other governments to put an end to the
hideous cruelty now incident to peIagic
sealing. it will be a question for your Sc
rIous consideration how far we should
continue to protect and maintain the seal
herd on land with the result OF continu-
ing such a practise, and whether It is
not better to end the practise by exter-
minating the herd ourselves In the most
humane way possible.
second Hague Conference.
In my last mtssaae / advised you that
the emperor Of Russia had taken the inl-
fiatfve in bringing about second peace
conference at The Hague. Under the
guidance. OF Russia the arrangement OF
the prelInihaFies for such a conference
has been progressing during the past
year. Fr6gfceB mas necessarily be6n
slow, owing tosthe great number Of coun-
tries 20 be cdnst&ta8supon every question
fha1 has arisen liz Ms4 matter - sat
'ISfaof3onf that all OF the Auiericah re-
publlcs havns noW, for the first time been
Invited to join in the proposed confer
nnra fs4
The close connection between The SUBJ
41.f~ 4xr fn1 1rnf 11w fEa Red UrNaN