296 ARGUMENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 



(o) It is claimed, however, that pelagic seal-fishing is not the only 

 cause for the decrease of the seals on the Pribilof Islands, and this is 

 supported by a quotation to be found at page 187 of their Report, as 

 to the probable fate of the far-seal in America. The paragraphs relating 

 to the objectionable features of pelagic seal-fishing seem to be omitted 

 and indicated by asterisks, but the paper is quoted to show that driv- 

 ing of the seals on the island is one of the evils which may be remedied. 

 The conclusion of Mr. Palmer, the authority thus cited, is (1) that no 

 seals should he hilled by any one at any time in the waters of Bering Sea; 

 (2) that all seals driven on the islands should be killed; none, he says, 

 should be driven and again allowed to enter the sea (p. ISO). Cer- 

 tainly Mr. Palmer's paper is very interesting and if his facts and con- 

 clusions are adopted pelagic "seal-fishing" must be prohibited. "The 

 killing of seals as conducted on the islands," he says, "is as near theo- 

 retical perfection as it is possible to get it. They are quickly dis- 

 patched and without pain. One soon recognizes, as in the killing of 

 sheep, that in the quickness and neatness of the method lies its success, 

 all things considered" (p. 187). This certainly does not agree with 

 the "sportsmanlike" view of the British Commissioners, but embodies 

 what we might call the humane and common-sense aspect of the sub- 

 ject by showing that, so far from the desirability of giving the seal " a 

 chance for its life," there should be a selection made in each case and 

 the animal should be painlessly and immediately slaughtered. The 

 object should be, not to provide sport to adventurous n sen and keen 

 hunters, but to secure as many animals as possible with humanity and 

 a due regard to the preservation of the race. 



(d) It is respectfully submitted that as between the two systems, 

 one of Avhich is "theoretically perfect" and in the course of which 

 the animals are selected and "promptly and neatly killed," on the 

 one hand, and indiscriminate sealing at sea on the other, there can. 

 be no room for hesitation. But the evident and unquestionable supe- 

 riority of the methods adopted on the islands consists, also, in the 

 fact that it is by its nature susceptible of indefinite improvement. 

 No argument is needed to show that the "theoretical" perfection 

 may with care become "practical" perfection", and that if driving be 

 really open to the objections made by Mr. Palmer it is not impos- 

 sible — indeed, it must be comparatively easy — to remedy them in 

 the manner suggested by himself or otherwise. In the preserva- 

 tion of pelagic sealing all concur that it is impossible to select 



