The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1906-12-15
THR FuR SEAL aunsr1oN.
A Revision of the Present Regulation

surveys made in 1874 BY direction of the
congress, numbered 100000, and which,
and Canadian commissioners in 1891.
amounted to 100000, has now been re-
duced 70 about 1901 900. This result has
been brought about by Canadian and
female seals while in the water during
their annual pilgrimage TO and from the
south, or in search Of food. AS a rule the
female seal whom killed is pregnant, and
aIso mas an unweaned pup on land, so
that Tor each skin taken by pelagic seal
ing, rs a rule, three lives are destroyed
the mother, the unborn offspring, and the
nursing pup, which Is left to starve to
death. No damage whatever is lone to
the herd by the carefully regulated killing
on land; The custom of pelagic sealing Is
solely responsible for all Of the present
evil, and is alike indefensible from the
economic standpoint and from the stand
point OF humanity.
In 1886 over 1900 young seals were
LoCnd DEAD from starvation on the Prib-
ilof islands. In 1897 it was estimated
mat since pelagic sealing began upward
OF, 100000 adult female seals a been
killed at sea, n over 100000 young
seals had died of starvation as the result.
The revolving b%arbarity of such a prac-
use, as well as the wasteful destruction
which 1t involves, needs no demonstration
and is Its own condemnation. The
Boring sea tribunal, which sat in Paris
in 1888, and which decided against the
claims Of the United States to exclusive
jurisdiction in the waters Of Berlng sea
and to a property right in the fur seals
when outside of the three mile limit.
determined also upon certain regulations
which the. tribunal considered sufficient
for the proper protection and preserya-
ton of the fur seal in, or hahitually re-
sorting to, the Boring sea. The tribunal
by Its regulations established a close sea-
son, from the LIST of May to the s1st of
July, and excluded all killing in the wa
t0rN within G0 miles around the DrlbIIOF
islands. They also provided that the
regulations which they had determined
upon, with a view to the protection and
preservation of the seals, should be sub
mitted every i've years to new exam
nation, 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 ave proved plainly
inadequate to accomplish the object Of
protection and preservation of the fur
seals, and for a long time this govern
ment has been trying in vain to secur
modification of the regulations as were
contemplated and provided for by the
award Of the tribunal Of Paris.
Raids by Japanese.
The process of destruction has been ac-
CELEBRATED during recent years by the ap-
pearance of a number of Japanese yes
sells engaged In pelagic sealing. AS these
- ANf ARN 1Es bOAAAn GAG ny
the inadequate limitations prescribed by
the tribunal of Paris, they nave paid
no attention either to the close season
or to the 6O-mile limit imposed upon the
Canadians, and have prosecuted their
work upon the very Islands themselves.
On July 16 and II, the crews from sew
eral Japanese vessels made raids upon
the island of ST: Paul, and before they
were beaten off by the very meager and
insuficiently armed guard, they succeed
ed in killing several hundred seals and
carrying of the skins of most of them.
Nearly all the seals killed were fe-
males and the work was done with
frightful barbarity. Many Of the seals
appear to have been skinned alive. and
many We're found half skinned and still
alive, The raids were repealed only
raiders were killed, two were wounded,
and u captured, including the two
~T0unded.' Those captured nave since
been tried and sentenced to imprison-
ment. An attack of this kind had been
wholly unlookt for, but such provision Of
vessels, arms and ammunition will now
pc made that its repetition will not be
found profitable.
Suitable representations regarding the
Incident have been made to the govern
ment OF Japan, and we are assured that
all practical measures will be taken by
that country to prevent n recurrence
OF the outrage. On our part, the guard
on the Island will be increased, and bet
ter equipped and organized and a better
revenue cutter patrol service about the
islands will be established; next season
a United States war vessel will also be
sent there.
We have not relaxed our efforts to Sc
cure an agreement with Great Britain
for adequate protection of the seal herd,
and negotiations with Japan for the same
purpose are In progress.
Laws Need Revision.
The laws for the protection Of the
seals within the jurisdiction Of the United
States need revision and amendment.
Only the islands of ST. Paul and ST.
George are now, In terms, included In
the government reservation, and the
other islands are also to be included.
The landing Of aliens as well as citizens
upon the islands, without a permit from
the department Of commerce and labor,
for any purpose except In case Of stress
OF weather or for water should be pro-
hibited under adequate penalties. The
approach Of vessels for the excepted
purposes should be regulated. The au-
thority 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
a vessel into the territorial waters sur
rounding the islands With intent to take
seals should be made a criminal Of
Tense and cause of forfeiture. Author
ity for seizures In such cases should be
given and the presence on any such YES
sci of seals or sealskins, or the para
phernalia for taking them, should be made
prima facie evidence of such intent. ]
recommend what legislation is needed "a
accomplish these ends; and / commend
TO your attention the report Of Mr.. Sims
of the department Of commerce and la
Dor, on this subject.
In case we are compelled to abandon
the hope Of making arrangements will
other governments to put an end to The
hideOus cruelty now Incident to pelagiC
sealing, Il will be a question for your Sc.
rlous consideration how far we should
continue to protect and maintain the sea
herd on land with the result Of continu'
ing such a practise, and whether 1t Il
not better to end the practise by exter
minating the herd ourselves in the mos
humane way possible.
Second Hague Conference.
In my last message l advised you tina
the emperor OF Russia had taken the mi
tiative in bringing about a second peacl
conference at The Hague. Under tn
guidance OF Russia the arrangement o
the preliminaries for such a conference
has been progressing during the pas
year. Progress has necessarily beel
slow, owing 10 the great lumber OF coun
tries to be consulted upon every question
chat has arisen. II Is a matter OF sat
isfaction that all OF the American re
publics have now, for the first time, beel
Invited TO Join In the proposed confer
ence.
The close connection between the sub
iects to be taken up BY the RED eros