Gainesville daily sun. (Gainesville, Fla.) 190?-1938, 1906-12-06

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They also provided that the regnla
tons which they had determined nnoa
with view to the protection and nrsa
ervation OF the seals, should be srI
mitted every FIVE years to new evan,
nation. so as to enable both Interest,",
governments to consider whether -
the light of past experience there Vac
occasion for any modification thereof
The regulations have proved plajn,v
inadequate to accomplish the object .,
protection and preservation of the m,
seals, and for long time this govern
ment has been trying invain to secure
from Great Britain such revision ana
modification oflthe regulations as wora
contemplated and provided for BY tbo
award OF the tribunal of Paris
The process Of destruction has been
accelerated during recent years by the
appearance OF a number Of japanese
vessels engaged IN pelagic sealing. Az
these vessels have not ebeen bound
even by the inadequate limitations pre.
scribed by the tribunal Of Paris. thew
have paid no attention either to n,
close season or TO the sixty nile H-,.
imposed upon Canadians and Lave
prosecuted their work up to the very
islands themselves. On July 16 and II
the crews from several Japanese YES.
sells made raids upon the island Of St
Paul. and before they were beaten OF
by the very meager and lnsuficiently
armed guard they succeeded in killing
several hundred seals and carrying of
the skins of most Of them. Nearly all
the seals killed were females, and the
work was done with frlghtful barbar.
lty. Many Of the seals appear to have
been skinned alive, and many were
found half skinned and still alive. The
raids were repealed only by the use Of
firearms, and FIVE of the raiders were
killed, two were wounded and twelve
captured, including the two wounded
Those captured have since been tried
and sentenced to Imprisonment. An
attack Of this kind had been wholly
unlocked for but such provision Of
vessels, arms and ammunition will
now be made that its repetition will
not be found profitable.
Promise by Japan.
Suitable represen tatlons regarding
the incident have been made TO the
government Of Japan, and we are as
sured that all practicable measures
will be taken by that country to pre-.
vent any recurrence Of the outrage
On our part, the guard on the island
will be increased and better equipped
and organized, and better revenue
cutter patrol service about the islands
will be established. Next season
Omitted States war vessel will also ~
sent there.
We have not relaxed our efforts 10
secure an agreement with Great Brit
ain for adequate protection OF the seal
herd, and negotiations with Japan Tor
the same purpose are in progress.
The laws for the protection Of the
seals within the Jurisdiction OF the
United States need revision and amend
meat Only the islands OF ST. Paul
and St George are now In terms In.
cluded IN the government reservation
and the other lslapds are also 70 be
Included. The landing OF aliens as well
as citizens upon the Islands without
permit from the department OF com
merce and labor for any purpose eH'
cept In case Of stress OF weather or Tor
water should be prohibited under ade
quate penalties. The approach Of yes
sells for the excepted purposes should
be regulated The authority Of the gov
eminent agents on the islands should
be enlarged. and the chief agent should
have powers Of a committing magis
trate. The entrance Of a vessel into
the territorial waters surrounding ne
islands with intent to take seals should
be made a criminal olfense and cause
OF forfeiture. Authority for seizures 10
such cases should be given. and Toe
presence on any such vessel Of seals %
seaiskins or the paraphernalia for TAX
Ing them should be made prina face
evidence Of such intent I rccouueal
what legislation Is needed 20 ace.1
pllsh these ends and commeai "
your attention the report % Mr sat
Of The department OF Commesys aa
labor on this subject
10 case We are compelled % a.7'
don The hope OF making aTraurcL
with other governments % per sH
70 the h.de1us cruelty nov iletl.
Dciagic seaIns % viii d. = qucst'..
your serious consideration bow GO
should cuul.nue % protest. aud
tain tie seal bend ca lald u'a
result ~ crntnulr.. ssh pr