Bisbee daily review., 1915-05-15
PRIBOLOF SEALS MAY AGAIN BE HUNTED IF
 REPORT IS ADOPTED
Federal Commission, Sent to h. veStigate Condition of Seal Herd, Says Hunting May be AL
 lowed Without Harm.


 mendations Of a commission of three scientific experts with a view to re- sumption of commercial killing of seals at the Pribolof Islands in the Boring Sea will be recommended next winter by the Secretary Of Commerce, William c. Red6eld, according to pres ent expectations The ultimate future Of the Alaska seal herd has been a YeNed international problem for years
 Canada and Japan, which are inter- ested financially in the American herd by the term of a treaty which abolish ed pelagic sealing. made an investiga- tion contempuraneously with the American experts. Both governments have made representations Co the United States that the condition of the seal herd warrants resuming seal ing operations at once.
 The report of the three American experts, submitted to Congress in it's closing days and about to be publish ed is by Wilfred H. Osgood, Edward A. Preble and George II. Parker. se- lected by the National Academy of Sci ence the Smithsonian Institution and the Secretary Of Agriculture at the in stance Of the secretary Of Commerce. These men investigated conditions on the Pribolof Islands last summer.
 Their report, whose revision has just been completed, points out that the treaty effective December 8, 1911. bewteen the United States. Great Britain, Japan and Russia. is essential ly an agreement by which the foreign nations relinquish their right to take seals on the high seas in exchange for share in land sealing to be conduct ed by the United States. Great Britain and Japan paid large sums to retire their sealing fleets. obviously expect ing Co be reimbursed in the near fu- ture by their E per cent share Of land sealing" The United States re- served the rfEht to suspend land seal ing if necessary 10 protect and pre- serve the seal herd and to increase its number. This suspension occurred in 1912. The report contends that now after three seasons without commer- cial sealing, there is no necessity for continued suspension.
 The conditions of the seal herd in lSl4' says the report, "is such that resumption of commercial sealing on a moderate scale in 1915 could be un- dertaken with confidence that the pro- tection and growth of the herd would not be jeopardized in the slightest de- gree. The inference is clear that un- less sealing is resumed agitation will continue and integrity of a most de- sireable treaty endangered"
 The yoluminous report states that the people of the Pribolof Islands though not natives, have for so long made the islands their home that they recognize no other They are a peo- pie still semi-civilized". says the re- port. They constitute a heritage ac- quired by the United States with the islands and heir valuable wild inhah- itants and considerations of economy and humanity demand that they be ac. cepted as such and managed with all possible wisdom and fairness.
 Many changes in the methods of dealing with the natives seem to be necessary. In their management a great deal will depend on the person. ality of the officials in charge. IL is believed that the work necessary to put the sealing plant on an efficient basis and the resumption in the near future of commercial sealing. accom- panied by better system Of compen. sation and the opportunity of exchanp- ing the reward of their labor accord ing 10 their desires, will help to make the natives self-respecting and the people may become an entirely self supporting efficient happy commun- ity."
 There are good reasons. from both economy and welfare Of the seal herd. to resume commercial sealing at once, the report concludes There should be only two restrictions Co practically guarantee growth and preservation of the herd. These are that females should not be killed for their skins or for food and that breeding bulls should be maintained in numbers sufficient 10 supply one Co each forty breading cows.
 The report says the management of all the animals should be placed in charge of a specially qualified officer and the management of the natives and the fiscal affairs under another officer the former having senior rank. That the Pribolof seal her is not on the verge of extinction is Asserted, with the declaration that complete rehabilitation of the herd may be con- hdenuy expected in view of its pres ent size and condition Provisions commensurate with the needs and i'm. portance of the property involved" the report adds, "are to be regarded as wise Investments and curtailment of operations at this time is not justified by conditions"
 Among statements by the three ex- perts are.
 The fur seal herd contains approx imately 2940OO individuals, 98,25O of them bearing female seals The ratio of one seal bull to forty bearing COWS