New-York tribune., 1906-08-08
FIVE JAPANESE KILLED.
Continued from first page.

70 Alaska the Japanese fishermen fish more I'm
Alaskan waters than all other aliens combined"
II appears that Attu Island is more than nine
hundred miles nearer Toxic than to San Fran
CISCO and that recently the Japanese. who
formerly fshed in Siberian waters have been
coming In steadily increasing numbers 20 the
American waters. It is estimated that five
hundred thousand japanese engaged in fish
ing great many Of them have for many years
imported salt salmon favorite article of food,
from the Siberian coast. Three years ago they
began coming TO American waters they grad
uaIiy lost their foothold In Siberia.
RIGHT TO GUARD FISHING.
OF course there is no question regarding the
right Of the United States TO protect its fishing
industry within the tllree-mile limit, and in the
opinion. as expressed to-day. OF the State De-
partment there was no necessity Of speciai lesis-
lation 10 prevent japanese taking fish In Alaskan
waters. But this view not entertained last
winter by the authorities of the Department OF
Commerce and Labor and they made strong rep
reservations to Congress Of the necessity for
special laws governing this particular locality
Secretary Metcalf. In a letter dated July o.
1905 and addressed TO Representative Cushman.
of Washington said. this subject:
The provisions of law which authorize this
department to establish ana enforce SuCH IeSu-
latiOns and surveillance as may be necessary 20
secure compliance with the laws relating TO the
salmon fisheries of Alaska are general IN their
application and do not distinguish between aIlens
and citizens of the United States. II appears,
therefore, that the department is without author-
ity TO establish and enforce regulations aPpIc-
able only to japanese fishermen for the purpose
of excluding them. Regulations prohibiting HSI-
ing in certain waters or at certain times woulG
include and be operative against citizens as well
aliens
am advised further tnaI, "hlle II Is cioa!ly
competent for Congress by appropriate Legislation
10 exclude aliens from fishing in Alaskan waters,
t has not yet done so. and until IT acts this de-
partment is without authority to prevent tne
encroachment OF japanese hsherTnen upon the
salmon fisheries OF Alaska
As result OF this and other representations
made 20 members of both houses OF Congress
Public Act 22S prohibiting aliens from fishing
in Alaskan waters, was passed, and approved by
the President on June IA. Every precaution was
then taken by this government to prevent inter-
national complications from growing out of the
administration OF the law Not only were warn
ings posted on Attu and other islands. but the
japanese Ambassador advised of the
passage of the law and the measures which
would be taken to insure it's enforcement An
other law. Public Act 29s provides with great
detail for the protection of the salmon fisheries.
exacts license fees from fishermen. establishes
closed season and prohibits certain methods OF
taking fish.
RECENT POACHING OPERATIONS.
little over year ago the revenue cutter
Perry found five japanese sailing vessels en-
gagged IN salmon fishing in Alaskan waters at
Attu Island. Four of these vessels disappeared
as soon as the Perry arrived, but not until they
had taken $4,000 salmon. The fifth vessel
eluded the Perry, but remained near, and II is
reported that she took about $4,000 salmon from
near an island about 176 degrees east longi-
tude'
Three other Japanese vessels bought cargoes
from Americans who had caught the salmon
and who delivered them fresh 20 the japanese,
the latter sailing them in their own holds OF
the vessels that purchased salmon, one, the bark
Higashi BTaru, entered at Ketchikan, South
eastern Alaska, near where she loaded, taking
cargo Of 10000 salmon. all OF large size
These salmon sold at a high price on the arrival
OF the vessel at Toxic December 20, 1905. and
the owners OF the vessel are reported as having
realized from the voyage a net profit Of $4,000
gold.
Two vessels, the Johei Maru and the Jinsei
Maru. entered at Juneau and received their car
goes near that port, the former taking on $4,000
and the latter 72,OG0 salmon II is reported.
however, that the fish in both cargoes were
much smaller than those obtained by the HI
sashi Maru, and that they were badly spotted,
having been caught in brackish water
Mr.. Sims. who enjoys the utmost confidence
Of the President and of the AttOrne- General
was recently appointed District Attorney FOR
Chicago. the appointment to take effect in the
autumn. He was sent 10 Alaska for the special
purpose OF investigating the extent of Japanese
poaching, and also to seek some method of cor
recting the pelagc sealing. which is still prac-
rsed, especially Of the Pribylo Islands His re-
ports are received. therefore, with entire conf
dence In their accuracy, and 1t Is expected that
before taking office in Chicago ne will be able
to make full and comprehensive report on the
fishing industry in Alaska which will prove of
the utmost value.
IMPORTANCE OF INDUSTRY.
When it is realized that the catching. curing
ana canning OF salmon in Alaska and in Cali
fornia, Oregon and Washington employs a capi
tai Of upward OF s30O00OOO that the product is
valued at S2O'ocOOOO annually. and that 2s.OOO
persons are engaged in the work the innpor-
tance Of the industry which is menaced bv the
japanese poachers can well be appreciated
American fishermen on two vessels from the
Massachusetts, coast were recently taken pris-
oners by Canadian cruiser on the charge NJ
poaching IN Canadian waters. One OF the YES
sells from Gloucester and the other from
Marblehead. Similar troubles occur where the
fishing grounds OF one nation offer special temp
tation 10 the fishermen Of another But of the
rights of a nation 10 protect the fishing inter
ests Of its own citizens there can be no doubt
and this government will insist with the utmost
frrnness on respect for IT'S rights by the Jap
enese. II will be remembered that the Cana
dian and Newfoundland governments have
gone TO the length of passing extreme anti
alien fishing laws even prohibiting Americans
and others from entering the ports of Canada