New-York tribune., 1906-12-05

upon, with view to the protection and preser-
walton OF the seals should be submitted every
five years to new examination. so 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 made
quate to accomplish the object OF protection ana
preservation Of the fur SEALS ana TOT lous
tlme this government has been trying IN van,
to secure from Great Britain such revision anu
modification OF the regulations as were contenh-
plated and provided for by the award OF INC
Tribunal of Paris.
The process of destruction has been acceier-
ated during recent years by the appearance OF
number OF Japanese vessels engaged IN peiasG
sealing AS these vessels have not been bound
even by the inadequate limitations prescribed py
the Tribunal of Paris, they have paid no atteh-
ton either to the close season or to the sixty
mile limited imposed upon the Canadians ana
nave prosecuted their work up TO the very ISL
andS themselves On July IS and II the crews
from several Japanese vessels made raids upon
the island of ST. Paul. and before they were
beaten Off by the very meagre and tnsufhclentiy
armed guard they succeeded in killing severai
hundred seals and carrying off the skins OF most
of them. Nearly all the seals killed were fe-
males and the work done with frightful
barbarlty Many of the seals appear to have
oeen skinned alive and many We're found half
skinned and still alive. The raids were repeled
only by the of firearms. and five of the
raiders were killed, two wounded and
Twelve captured including the two wounded.
Those captured have since been tried and sem
fenced to imprisonment. An attack of this kind
had been wholly unlocked for but such pro-
VISION or vessels. arms and ammunition will now
De made that its repetition will not be found
profitable
Suitable representations regarding the incident
nave been made to the government Of Japan.
and we are assured that all practicable measures
VIII oe taken by that country to prevent any re-
currence of the outrage. On our part the guard
on the island will be increased and better
equipped and organized. and a better revenue
cutter patrol service about the islands will be
eseapllshed; next season United States war
vessel will also be sent there
we nave not relaxed our efforts to secure an
asIeeinent with Great Britain for adequate pro-
lection of the seal herd and negotiations with
'aps'ii lot tle same purpose are in progress
49,, Inc laws for the protection of the seals within
rfe Jurlsolction of the United States need
VISION ana amendment. Only the islands of St
Faui ana St George are now. in terms. included
IN tiie government reservation, and the other
lsla1luS are also TO be included. The landing OF
anehs as Wen as citizens upon the islands, with
out permit from the Department OF Commerce
anu Laoor. Tor any purpose except in case OF
stress or weather or for water, should be pro-
hioited under adequate penalties The approach
or vessels for the excepted purposes should be-
regulated. The authority 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 ves-
sci INTO the territorial waters surrounding the
islands with intent TO take seals should be made
a criminal offence and cause Of forfeiture. Au-
ahorlty y Tor seizures in such cases should be
gwen ana the presence on any such vessel OF
seals or sealskins, or the paraphernalia for TAX
ing them, should be made prirna facie evidence
OF such intent 1 recommend what legislation Is
needed to accomplish these ends and I COM
mend to your attention the report of Mr.. Sims.
or the department OF Commerce and Labor, on
this subject.
In case we are compelled to abandon the hope
or making arrangements with other governments
10 put an END to the hideous crueltv now incl
dent to pelagic sealing, 1t will be a question for
your serious consideration how far we should
continue to protect and maintain the seal herd
on land. with the result of continuing such a
practice. and whether 1t Is not better to end tho
practice by exterminating the herd ourselves In
the most humane way possible.
/ hat
emperor OF Russia had taken the initiative in
bringing about second peace conference at
The Hague. Under the
Second Hague guidance of Russia the ar
Conference rangement of the prelimi-
has been progressing during the last wear. Prog
ress has necessarily been slow. owing to the
great number Of countries to be consulted upon
every question that has arisen. 1t 10 matter
OF satisfaction that all OF the American republics
have now. for the first time. been invited to join
in the proposed conference.
The close connection between the subjects to
be taken up by the Red Cross conference held
at Geneva last summer and the subjects which
naturally would come before The Hague confer
ence made 1t apparent that 1t was desirable to
have the work Of the Red Cross conference
completed and considered by the different DOW
ers before the meeting at The Hague The Red
Cross conference ended its labors on the 9th
day Of July. and the revised and amended con-
vention which was signed by the American dele
gates. will be promptly laid before the Senate.
By the special and highly appreciated cour-
tesy of the governments of Russia and the
Netherlands, proposal 10 call The Hague con-
ference together at a time which would conflict
with the conference of the American republics
at Rio Janeiro in August was laid aside. No
other date has vet been suggested A tentative
programme for the conference has been pro
posed by the government of Russia and the sub
jects which IL enumerates are undergoing care
ful examination and consideration in prepara-
ton for the conference.
1t must ever be kept IN mind that war is not
merely justifable. but imperative upon honora-
BILE men, upon an honorable nation, where peace
no hut he
Peace and sacr1flce OF conscientious
Righteousness. conviction of national
welfare. Peace is normally
great good. and normally it comedies with
righteousness but it is righteousness and not
peace which should bind the conscience Of a ma
ton as it should bind the conscience of an in
dividual; and neither nation nor individual
can surrender conscience to another's keeping
Neither nation. which is an entity and
which does not die as individuals die refrain
from taking thought for the interest OF the gem
erations that are to come, no less than for the
interest of the generation of to-day; and no
public men have right. whether from short
SiShtedneSS, from selfish Indifference from
sentimentalty 10 sacrifice national interests
which are vital in character. y just war is in
the long far better for nations soul than
the most prosperous peace obtained by acques-
cence in wrong or injustice. Moreover. though
it is criminal for nation not to prepare for
war. so that it may escape the dreadful conse-
quences of being defeated in war yet il must
always be remembered that even TO be defeated
in may be far better than not 10 have fought
at all As has been we'll and finely said.
beaten nation is not necessarily dsgraced
ton. but the nation is diSgraced if the
obligation to defend right is shirked.
We should nation do everything in our
power for the cause of honorable peace. II is
morally indefensible for nation to commit
a wrong uron another nation strong or weak
FOR an individual thus 10 wrong his fellows
We should do all in power to hasten the day
when there shall he peace among the nations
Il pcaCe based upon Justice and not upon cow
ardly submission TO wrong. We can accomplish
a good deal in this direction. but cannot aC
complish everything, and the penalty of