102 ARGUMENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 



cultivators of those herds commit which would be in violation of the 

 teachings of science and the laws of nature and operate to obstruct 

 the enjoyment by mankind of the full product of the animal, which 

 would not at the same time, and in larger measure, result in loss and 

 injury to themselves. They have not and can not have, upon the 

 grounds taken in this argument, any interest which, in the slightest 

 degree, conflicts with that of the world at large. They would be grate- 

 ful to have any errors in the management by them pointed out, to the 

 end that they might apply a remedy. And what is true in respect of 

 the United States is true also of their lessees. The latter can have no 

 interest not in harmony with the interests of all. This observation is 

 subject to a qualification limited to lessees whose lease is about to ex- 

 pire. An outgoing tenant is, indeed, sometimes under a temptation to 

 commit waste. Against this possible mischief the United States have 

 endeavored to guard by the policy of making long leases. It is believed 

 to have been entirely effectual. 



But all suggestions of the insufficiency of the guaranties furnished 

 by a recognition of a property interest to carry out the dictates of 

 science and natural law in respect to animals having a nature and hab- 

 its such as the fur-seal exhibits are absolutely silenced by a reference 

 to the conclusive teachings of actual and long experience. Russia en- 

 joyed during the whole period of her occupation of the islands the full 

 benefit practically of a property interest. She maintained an exclu- 

 sive dominion of the herds upon the land, and no attempt to interfere 

 with them by pelagic sealing was made. By her care, industry, and 

 self-denial, tempted and rewarded by the profits of the industry, the 

 normal numbers of the herds were maintained, and at the same time 

 large annual drafts were made. And when, as happened more than 

 once from exceptional causes which could not be prevented, the num- 

 bers were greatly reduced, a more rigid and self-enforced abstinence 

 brought about a full restoration. At the beginning of the occupation 

 of the United States, and before their authority and oversight were 

 fully established, an irregular and excessive slaughter again greatly 

 reduced the herds, and this damage was again fully repaired by an 

 exercise of similar abstinence. The numbers were, perhaps, more than 

 restored, and it became possible to make larger drafts than had ever 

 been taken under the Russian management without any discoverable 

 diminution of the stock; and there is no reason to suppose that such 

 drafts might not have been continued indefinitely had not the destruc- 



