The Daily Alaska empire., 1937-07-10
NEED FOR JAPANESE FISHING PROBE
 CLEARLY REVEALED

In view of the countless contradictory reports on the reported Japanese fishing invasion of Alaskan waters, it is encouraging to learn that the State Department business in its investigation of the controversial issue. Leo Sturgeon representative of the Department, in his conference with Governor Troy the other day assurance that the present probe be perfunctory but full and careful survey with the aim of seeing the issue through to its final conclusion.
 Alaska fishing interests, both the companies and the fishermen themselves, insist that the Japanese are actually taking salmon in large quantities. The Bureau Fisheries representatives contend that their examination of the area the invaders talk ing only crab and other fish which are not in con- nercial in this country. With such wide diver sty of opinion it is probably fortunate thing for Alaska and the industry that investigation is being conducted by a Department which has nothing to do with the business of fishing but does have authority Ito act on any findings it may reach.
 In this connection, recent letter to Governor Troy from Archie Shiels President of Pacific Amer- can Fisheries at Belingham and widely known to most Alaskans is interesting and enlightening. MT Shiels wrote:
 I would like to write you few lines with regard to the situation that exists today on account of the Japanese invasion in the fish
 ing grounds of Bristol Bay. Despite what
 MT. Wingard says that there are no Japanese
 boats fishing up there for salmon--which by
 the way, is in sharp contrast to what his own
 deputy, MT Lucas is at least reported to have said the other day as quoted in press down here-we have evidence from our own men that this fishing is actually going You know John Gilbert well as do and think you know that he is now with this company. I have telegram from him that unquestion- ably the Japanese fishing salmon. have like message from Lorng Daly, who has hpqn since we bought them from the Warren Pack ing Company and superintendent for that firm for many years before we took it over. The Alaska Packers Association have the same kind of advice from their man, all to the effect that actual fishing for salmon is going in Bristol Bay. I do not think there is the slightest doubt but what they right.
 In this mornings papers there is Asso- cated Press dispatch which quotes Mir Chas. E. Jackson Deputy U. s. Commissioner of Fisheries with having made the following re- marks in Seattle yesterday with regard to this question:
 ''The Japanese invasion if there is one is serious, but no more serious than the invasion of any other country. It won't be long before all fishing banks become international and the best hauls will fall not to the nations whose waters being fished but to the nations with the largest, fastest boats"
 If we are to take this as the attitude of the Administration towards this poaching the fisheries that rightfully belong to the United
 States, then all I can say is that it is sad
 day that is coming for the great Territory Of
 Alaska. I don't think I read open
 invitation to the nations of the world to come
 in and rape the fisheries than this statement
 of MT Jacksons.
 am not writing you this letter as President
 of the Pacific American Fisheries but am
 writing you this letter Alaskan, who
 loves the country, as you know. and who