Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-12-04
RAIDS BY PoAcHERs.
Suitable Representations on the SUD
iect Have Been Made to Japan.

The process OF destruction has been ac-
tolerated during recent years by the APP
nearance of a number Of Japanese vessels
engaged In peagic scaling. As these Nes'
gels have not been bound even ny ,ho ~
adequate limitations prescribed py wv
tribunal Of Paris. they have paid no az
tentior either 10 the close season W
the eo-mie limit imposed upon the lana
dlans and have prosecuted ulelr WON
I'M 10 the very Islands themselves On
July IL and II. the crews from seFeldl
Japanese vessels made raids upon the ls-
lard OF st. Paul, and before they, were
beaten m hy tho very meager ana va,
sufficiently armed guard, they succeeeed
In killing several hundred seals and car
rying on the skins OF most OF them. NcaI
~ al the seals killed were teinales ara
the work was done with frighllul phr-
barity Mony Of the seals appear to nave
been skinned alive and many we're round
half skinned and still alive Inc ialus
were repealed only By the use Of firearms
and five OF the raiders were Killed, Wo
were wounded. and 70 captured, incluulnG
the two wounded. Those captured navy
since been tried and sentenced TO imptis-
onment. An attack OF this kind had peell
wholly unlocked for, but such provision
of vessels, arms. and amnunauon WIFI
now be made that It's repetition VIII NOT
be found profitable. ~
Suitable representations regarding the
-.
ment OF JapaG, and we are assured tnat
all practicable measures VIII be taken ny
that country to prevent any recurrence OF
the outrage on our part, the guard on the
island will be Increased, and better EQUIP
ed and organized. and a better revenue
cutter patrol service about the ISLANDS
will DO established. next season a United
States war vessel will also be sent there.
We have not relaxed our efforts 10 Sc
cure an agreement with Great britalh
for adequate protection Of tho seal herd,
and negotiations with Japan for the same
purpose are IN progress.
The laws for the protection OF the seale
within the jurisdiction OF the united
States need revision and amend
mens Only the islands OF ,6 st.
in terms, included in the government res
ervation, and the other Islands are also
to be included. The landing Of aliens as
well as citizens upon the Islands with.
out a permit from the department or
commerce and labor. for any purpose ex-
oept in case Of stress Of weather or FOR
water, should be prohibited under ade-
quate penalties. The approach OF vessels
for the excepted purposes should De reg
ubited. The authority OF the government
agents on the islands should be enlarged,
and the chief agent should have the pow
ers Of a committing magistrate. The en-
trance OF vessel into the territorial wa
tiers surrounding the Islands with intent
to take seals should be made a criminal
oftense and cause Of forfeiture. Authority
for seizures in such cases should be Civ
en- and tho presence on any vessel OF seals
or sealskins, or the paraphernalia for tax
ing them should be made priina facie
evidence Ut such intent I recommend
what legislation Is needed to accomplish
these ends, and | commend to your At
tention the report OF Mr.. Sims. Of the do
paitment OF commerce and labor, on this
subject,
In case we are compelled to abandon tho
hope Of making arrangements with other
governments to put an end 20 the hldeous
cruelty now incident to pelagic sealing It
will be n question for your serious con-
sidoratlon how far we should continue to
protect and maintain the seal herd on
land with the result OF continuing such n
practise, and whether II Is not better to
end the practise by discriminating the
herd ourselves In the most humane way
possible.