210 ARGUMENT OF THE UNITED STATES. . 



formed in their minds which they openly avow, and to attain which is 

 their constant effort. This ideal is that all taking of seals on land 

 should be prohibited, and pelagic sealing be made the only lawful mode 

 of capture. 



They thus express themselves: " It has been pointed out, and webe- 

 lieve it to be probable, that if all killing of seals were prohibited on 

 the breeding islands, and these were strictly protected and safe -guarded 

 against encroachment of any kind, sealing at sea might be indefinitely 

 continued without any notable diminution, in consequence of the self- 

 regulative tendency of this industry." 1 



And, suggesting, as the only objection to this policy which occurs to 

 them, that it might be too much to expert of the United States to thus 

 guard the islands and support a native population of 300 at its own 

 expense, they continue: "It maybe noted, however, that some such 

 arrangement would offer, perhaps, the best and simplest solution of the 

 present conflict of interests, for the citizens of the United States would 

 still possess equal rights with all others to take seals at sea, and in 

 consequence of the proximity of their territory to the sealing grounds 

 they would probably become the principal beneficiaries! m 



And they finally come to the conclusion that any taking of seals at 

 the breeding places is an error for which there is no defense except long 

 usage, and even that they regard as a doubtful apology. They say: 



While the circumstance that long usage may, in a measure, be con- 

 sidered as justifying the custom of killing fur-seals on (he breeding is- 

 lands, many facts now known respecting the life history of the animal 

 itself, with valid inferences drawn from the results of the disturbance 

 of other animals upon their breeding places, as well as those made ob- 

 vious by the new conditions which have arisen in consequence of the 

 development of pelagic sealing, point to the conclusion that the breed- 

 ing islands should, if possible, remain undisturbed and inviolate. 3 



These references to theopinions expressed in the reportof the Commis- 

 sioners of Great Britain, when taken together with the scheme recom- 

 mended by them, leave no room for doubt that the defense of the Cana- 

 dian sealers was, from first to last, their predominating motive, and 

 enable us to make for them the apology that they conceived that this 

 was the duty with which they were especially charged. If this be the 

 fact, it is easy to perceive how all their reasonings and recommenda- 

 tions should receive a color and character. We feel obliged to say that 



1 Report of Br. Com., p. 20, soc. 121. 

 « Report of Br. Com., p. 20, sec. 125. 

 8 Report of Br. Com., p. 27, sec. 166. 



