Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1913-02-01


cluded at Washington by the
United States, Great Britain,
w. Russia and Japan, the fur seals
of the north Pacific ocean are
destined to obtain for the first time a
form of protection that recent expert
ence has shown to be absolutely essen
tial for the conservation of the seal
herds. The agreement between these
four great powers prohibits for a
period of Is years the indiscriminate
slaughter of seals while at sea. and
placessthe legitimate killing of surplus
seals on land under the immediate con-
troll of the nations having sovereignty
over the islands to which the seals re-
sort for breeding purposes. The ma
tions which may be said to hold
kind of property right in fur seal herds
are the United States, Russia and
Japan. The interests of Great Britain
In this matter arise from the existence
of an extensive feet of sealing vessels
that for many years had been operat-
ing from British Columbia ports off the
coasts of America. Russia and Japan.
Although fur seals are found in both
the northern and southern hemi-
spheres, the largest herds are those of
the north Pacific, which represent
three closely-related species distin-
1 guished by peculiarities in form, physi
ognomy and pelage, and known as the
u Alaskan, Russian and Japanese fur
Vseals respectively. The herds roam
widely on the high seas, and their wa
ter habitats approach one another II
they do not overlap; but the different
species do not associate, and always
resort for breeding purposes 10 par
ticular islands. 1t Is this habit which
gives certain nations a temporary jur-
isdiction and control over them, and
has created several international com
plications.
Go Far South.
The japanese fur seal, which is tho
least abundant, never visits any land
except Robben reef and some tiny
islands of the Kuril chain. The Rus
sian fur seal, the next in abundance
never resorts to any shores except
those OF the Comma nder islands. lyins
far off the east coast of Kamtchatka
The Alaskan fur seal. far more numer.
GUS than the others, roams over n
large part of the eastern Pacific ocean
as far south as southern California
and makes an annual pilgrimage to tn,
Pribilof islands in Bering sea Thesf
islands, which came to the United
States In 1867, when Russia ceded tuT |
tsdiction over Alaska, and are the sol
land resort of the Alaskan fur seal
have brought on the country much do
mestic and international turmoil II is
~ fr,v.
United States, as 1t must be also II
the other countries involved, that wis
statesmanship has prevailed over an
untoward influences that may hav
prevented an earlier settlemcn. OF II
fur seal question, and has resulted /
this convention, which insures the res
cue of the depleted fur seal herds
both America and Asia from comm
'cial extinction.
Although the seals are easily kille
by the methods adopted by man TO
their destruction on sea and land. the
are capable OF withstanding great pr,
walton and of undergoing extrao~dI I
nary muscular exertion.
To maintain themselves during n
winter without resorting to land is ii
itself no small accomplishment for air
breathing. land-breeding animals The
females. leaving the islands in Novem
Der. go further south then any other
members of the herd. and In December /
appear OFF southern California, where
they remain until March They then
begin their long return Journey. reach
ing the islands early In June. The seals
subsist chiefly on squid, but also on
smelt, herring. salmon and other kinds
of fish. which are caught and eaten in
the water.
Easy for the Males.
The bachelor seals, having few re.
sponsibilities and cares. require less
food than the mother seals. and make
less frequent and less expeditions trips
to the feeding.grounds. They pass
much OF their time sleeping on land OF
playing in the water near the shores
The old bulls. however, have the most
extraordinary vitality. Arriving on the
islands about May /. they remain con.
stantly on land until the last OF July or
tho early part of August without eat
Ing single thing or even drinking,
but living on the great amount OF fat
they have stored up while at sea Dur
ing all this time they maintain most
vigilant watch over their harem, and
are always ready to repel Invaders,
whether human or others. and to fight
their rivals TO q fnish.