The Fur-Seal Question

Abstract

FOR some time past a conference has been sitting in Washington, in which representatives from Great Britain, or rather Canada, Russia, Japan, and the United States, have taken part, for the purpose of drawing up new regulations for the conduct of the Bering Sea seal fishery, and for the protection and restoration of the herd. The Times of June 28 contained an account of the findings of the conference, and in the issue of July 8 its correspondent at Washington reports that the new convention was signed on July 7. The full text of the agreement has. not yet come to hand, but its main provisions, which are of great international importance, and of great interest to all naturalists, are said to be as follows. Pelagic sealing will be totally prohibited to all subjects of the participating countries for fifteen years, and measures will be taken to induce other countries to prevent its being carried on under cover of their flag; the United States and Russia, which own practically all that remain of the seal herds of the North Pacific, will pledge 30 per cent, of their catches for the purpose of paying a specified yearly dole to Canada and Japan to compensate them for abstention from the fishery, and the United States (it is said) will advance 40,000!. to each of the latter countries for the immediate compensation of persons engaged in the industry; the contracting Powers will admit no skins to their ports the origin of which is not properly certified; and, lastly, regulations are laid down as to the method of killing seals on land, and as to the establishment of guards upon the rookeries. These resolutions are, we suppose, still subject to ratification by the several Governments, but nevertheless we have good reason to believe, and every reason to hope, that the wise and liberal proposals thus stated may soon be adopted and carried into effect. The Washington correspondent of The Times reports that, so far as can be gathered, the convention will be accepted by the Senate. It will come into force on December 15.