The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1912-04-20

criminate. was confined to bachelors and MAD
no effect on the permanence OF the herd
Although the indiscriminate killing OF seais
in the sea had been going on from very carry
times this business was not extensive, was
conducted by natives using spears IN tnsif
canoes and had appreciate erect on ehe
herd. +
snacial inquiry made by the government /
showed that in different years from 70 to over
90 ner cent of the seals killed at sea, either
an tho northwest coast or in Boring Sea. were
females.
What pelagic hunting then meant to the sea-
herd when so large a fleet was engaged, a'iu
what it has meant recently when the meet was
larger in proportion to the number OF seas
may be appreciated when it Is stated " 1nae
for every Seal killed and secured Dy tne nunl.
ers NOT less than two seals were killed ana
1ost because they sank before the hunters
could Law hold Of them while many that were
wounded and escaped died later; Cd that LOT
every adult female killed on the way TO the
islands in spring an unborn pup was sacr'-
feed. (3) that for every female Klliea al1e'
the herd had reached the islands pup on
shore was left to die lingering death oy
starvation, and pup to be born the next sea
son was likewise sacrificed.
The government was not slow to realize the
ing and was led to assume jurisdiction over
tha entire American side of Bering Sea and 20
regard as poachers any persons found nuhsihs
saa1a therein The seizure OF vessels 5nylne
the United States and British nass 1oio0eu'
and there arose controversy with treat biit
ain which eliminated in the reference OF tue
case 10 an international tribunal OF arbatrauon
that met in Paris in 1893 The award OF the
,rhitration court was against the United states
~, oNrtNY ".
Rerng Sea is closed sea, and that the prop
or+v right in the seal herd warranted the gov
arrment in protecting the seals while on the
high seas. ,,
case of the fur-seal herd has gone from baa 70
worse The United States government early
showed it's good faith by prohibiting It's GU.
yans from engaging in the lucrative industry OF
na1agtc sealing; but the subjects of all other
countries were permitted 70 40 -, any, 49, :. r
tho injection OF new factor, Japan that con-
+r,hrfed more than any other cause to the
dectmation of our seal herd
The furseal problem with which the United
States government now has to zeal presents
several phases The most important duty the
rasnonsible officials have to perform is TO con-
serve and increase the seal herd This IN
wolves continuous care study, and opserva'
ton: the determination Of the actual condltaon
the results Of scientific and economic 'hveslf
cation to the welfare Of the seals
A scarcely less important duty, and one tha'
ia in no respect antagonistic to the first, is &c
provide a revenue and to utilize a highly use1u
resource at the time when that resource pos
sesses the greatest market value. Tn1s IN
wolves the judicious killing of the male seals
when they are two or three years old and the
disposal Of their pelts to the best advantage
A third duty is to ascertain what are the rea
needs of the helpless native inhabitants OF tht
seal islands, and to give them the air that Il
best suited for their mental, moral and phys1
cal natures.
Recent criticism OF the governments polio!
of taking the skins of seals in view of the de
pleted condition of the herd is based on def
cent knowledge. The fur seal being highl
poygamous animal, and males and females be
ing born in equal numbers, 1t follows that I'm
der the conditions that have prevailed AM
still continue the number of males produces
is far in excess of the requirements OF natur
for the perpetuation Of the species.
The preservation and increase OF the sea
herd is entirely compatible with judicous sal
rihce of limited number Of young male seal
each year. and this is quite true when tn
herd is depleted as when the rookeries ar
crowded to their full capacity. When the pre-:
ence of a sufficient reserve is determined b
responsible officers Of the government, tn
utilization of the surplus males for their pe1t
and incidentally for native feod is justified an
demanded by common sense, and fulflls til
utmost demands of both the spirit and til
letter of genuine conservation.
II not single male seal were to be kille
on the islands or at sea during the next AZ
years, not a single additional seal would }
produced as result of that course If not
single male seal were to be killed on tn
islands or at sea during the next 20 years, NJ
single seal would be added to the herd tn,
will not be added II the present policy of r
stricted killing OF rp.us males Is continued.