The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-08-09
Killing of Teachers Merely Regrettable.
TWELVE ARE TO BE TRIED
They Were Taken Inside the Three
 Nile Limit.
Regarded in the same Light as House Breakers Caught in the Act Mir. Msyaoka Calls to ob-
 tain Ensormation.

Washington. Aug, s.--Acting Sec retary of State Bacon has sent to Am bassador wright at Tckio the sub- stance of the despatch received by the department of commerce and laoor from Solicitor Sims at sitka, Alaska. regarding the killing of Japanese nsn- ermen on St. Paul island.
 In sending the despatch. the acting secretary states that it is forwarded for the purpose of giving information such as this government, has or re- rrettable incident, news of which may reach Japan in distorted form. There is no intention of offering an apology or any further regret than Is contain ed in this despatch as the state oe- pertinent regards the Japanese hsner- men as poachers if they were within three mile limit and the despaNch rom MT Sims emphasizes this fact.
 It is stated that American fishermen in New FoundIand waters, if within the three mile limit, would be subject "A arrest by the authorities and would have no redress, as they would De poachers the same as the Japanese, who were killed on St. Paul island.
 The following contains the main features of the despatch of Solicitor Sims sent to the department of conn ,,erca ana labor and which was cabled by acting secretary Bacon to Ambassa- dor Wright at Tokio
 Dispatclas From Sims.
 @Fur Seal Rookeries, St. Paul 4siahq' ,vAre raided by Japanese schooners Julv 16 and IT. About 200 seals were killed but raiders were eventuaily repuIsed as a result of the courageous action of Chief Agent Len1bky ana as- sistant agent Jude at head or native guard.
 Five raiders were killed and twelve captured. two of latter being badly wounded. Three boats and some small srn,s also captured Force protect ing rookeries suffered no casualties. The schooners were itFgt observfd on Jnay IS and were close te shore easlty within three mile limit s9n thin asg at Northeast Point were surprised and captured by Agent Lembky and native ruards without casualty on either side, .(1n inc morning of July n two na- five watchmen shot and killed two and wounded one of an armed landing rarty Crews of schooner under pro- lection of dense fog shot seals m water close to shore, most or day. During this time shotgun firing which could be easily heard from shore was frepuent. Unknown how many seals were killed in this manner, but number must have been considerable
 Made Concerted Ralds.
 ..on evening of the same day crews of at least s&hree schooners made con certed raidy on widely separated rcok- cries. Raid on Expand rookeries were ~annisAd bv native guard after con- siderable firing. Raid on Northeast 1oognf xvaa nartially SucCe6SfuL
 lowing to dense fog raiders there were not discovered until nearly 200 seals had been killed This raid which was apparently participated in by an entire ships crew in five boats was repulsed by agents Lembky. Judge ana native force only, and three or .slo- . ers were Killed and i've captured. Most of seals killed on shore by raiders were pregnant females with nursing young, few days old, which died or starvation.
 Large proportion of those killed in water also females in search of food for young. Some of the raiders taken state they are from schooner Toyal Maru number two and one of the cap turea boats bore that number. othes prisoner states he is from schooner Mei Maru. During the time was on the island, sehoonefs were frequently sighted.
 Eight OF Ten Ships.
 sIt is evident that at least eight oI fen schooners believed to be Japanes' are sailing in close proximity to Is lands. The twelve prisoners were taken on cutter McCulloch to Kodiak and after hearing before commander were for jury and taken in charge bY
 The Japanese Charge, Mir Miyaoks called at the State Department thi' morning for information about the kill inr of the Japanese. He had received nn disnatches from his government con rernine the affair and Acting Secre' earv Bacon gave him the same infor' mation which was sent to Ambassador
 seals are recognized as property bl international law and the Japanese Kill cd by American officials on St. Pau Tsland stand in the same position al hnrrlars shot in the act of stealing. ac' cording to prominent authorities or international law. No international in cident can result from the shooting o the Japanese poachers, 1t Is said, al inc State Department.
 This government has no amends tt make to Japan. other than those tna countesy may prompt and mere ex nression of regret that such an Incl dent should take place is all that i
 Japan has no treaty obliEation' which in any way require her to pro feet seals in the BehrinE Sea.
 Not, international Incident.
 After discussing the matter with Mr Racon. MT. Miyakoa agreed that 1t wal not case to cause an international In cIdent and that it was similar to othei clashes that have occurred between citizens of one country on the soil o another.
 will take no further active interest 1T inc matter of the killing of the Jap aneso poachers save that twelve pris oners must be tried by United state' Authorities and according to Unitet states law. It is not intended to sent any more revenue cutters into Alas kan water as 1t is understood that th' ships now there are sufficient to pro tect the interests of citizens of thii government. The Japanese raiders were repulsed by the agents of th' lessees of the island and not by Unit ed States authorities. Special Agen Lembky referred to in Solicitor Sims