In writing the following article, I received valuable assistance from the following writers: Woolsey, Wheaton, Vattel, Morgan, Stanley Brown, Hereford, Bryant, McIntyre, Redpath, Falconer, Moulton, Dall and from the Report of the Behring Sea Commissioners.

THE TRUTH ABOUT THE FUR-SEAL QUESTION.

Now that Secretary Sherman is endeavoring to re-open the whole question of Pelagic sealing in Behring Sea, I think it opportune to review the subject, law and fact.

To the mind of the average citizen, it must seem strange that two great nations, which are bound by so many kindred ties, whose laws are the same, and who stand forth in the eyes of the civilized world, as representing the most liberal and enlightend views on Religion, Philosophy and Science, should find a question apparently unimportant, a source of so much trouble; and one that even an international tribunal, organized in pursuance of a Special Treaty between the United States and Great Britain, was unable to decide to the satisfaction of both the High Contracting Parties. The claim of the United States is in a few words as follows:

Ist. That having purchased Alaska and certain islands in the Behring Sea, from Russia by the Treaty of March 30th, 1867, (whereby all the possessions of Russia on the American continent, and in Behring Sea were ceded to the United States) they, the United States, acquired all the rights of Russia, including the jurisdiction exercised by her in Behring Sea.

2nd. That the Behring Sea is mare clausum, (an enclosed sea) and does not come within the "three-mile limit" rule.

3rd. That these rights ceded by Russia, include a right of property in the herd of fur-seals which frequent the Pribilof Islands during the breeding season; and a right to follow and protect the seals during their migrations to and from the islands, even in the open sea. A large number of vessels including, I think, seventeen British sealers, were seized by the United States revenue cutters, in accordance with this right, and were tried, condemned, and confiscated, and in some instances, their crews imprisoned; having been found guilty of killing seal in the open sea.

Great Britain on the other hand denies the right of property in the seal herd; claims the right of her subjects to engage in the pursuit of fishing or sealing in any paat of the sea outside of the "three-mile limit:" and claims damages from the United States for the said seizures, in accordance with the well settled principles of international law.

The United States sets up a counter claim of damages for the seals killed by the subjects of Great Britain in the Behring Sea, in which the United States claims property.

To explain the claim of the United States it is necessary for me to give a short account of the habits and history of the fur-seal.

The Alaskan fur-seal makes its home for several months in the year on the Pribilof Islands. These islands are peculiarly adapted, by reason of their isolation and climate, for seal life, and because of this adaptability, were undoubtedly chosen by the seals for their habitation. The climatic conditions are especially favorable. The seal, while on land, needs a cool, moist and cloudy climate, sunshine and warmth producing very injurious effects upon the animals.

These requirements are only found in the North Pacific Ocean, at the Pribilof Islands, and at the Commander Islands, which belong to Russia, and are the home of the so-called Russian seal herd. The "breeding-grounds" or "rookeries," (the areas occupied by the

breeding seals and their offspring) are rocky places along the water's edge, covered with broken pieces of lava of various sizes, those nearest the sea, having been rounded by the action of the waves and the ice. These rough and uneven shores are probably chosen by the seals for the breeding-grounds, because the boulders act as a protection to the new-born seals from the surf and storms, and because the smoother rocks offer resting places for the females during parturition.

The two great herds of fur-seals which frequent the Behring Sea and North Pacific Ocean, and make their homes on the Pribilof and Commander Islands, are entirely distinct from each other. The difference between the two herds is so marked that an expert can invariably detect an Alaskan from a Commander skin, and the former is about twenty-five per cent more valuable than the latter. The two herds do not intermingle, each keeping its own side of the Behring Sea, and each following its own course of migration.

The seals are divided into four classes, namely, "pups," "bulls," "cows" and "bachelors."

The "pup" is born on the "breeding-grounds" during the months of June and July. Its birth usually takes place within a few days after the mother-seal arrives on the islands, and often within a few hours. A young seal at birth weighs about seven pounds, its head being abnormally large for the size of its body.

For the first six or eight weeks the pup is confined altogether to the "breeding-grounds," being unable to swim. Mr. T. F. Morgan, who has been over twenty years on the islands, states that he has often seen the young "pups" washed off by the surf and drowned; so that it is clear that it is an impossibility for a pup-seal to be born in the water and live; this is confirmed by the statements of all those who have studied into, or have had experience with seal life.