812 ARGUMENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 



which belongs to itself. The faults imputed are, after all is said, 

 faults of detail and execution, which do not in any manner affect the 

 principle adopted. They are susceptible of remedy, and it is idle and 

 absurd to suppose that a valuable commerce, susceptible of expansion 

 by judicious methods, will be wantonly suffered to go to ruin. Self- 

 interest, ifno higher motive, maybe trusted to improve the means now 

 in use, in so far as they may require improvement; experience will 

 constantly throw its light upon the best means of performing the duty, 

 while the apprehension of loss will stimulate the efforts of those most 

 nearly concerned in the financial success of the business now carried 

 on at the Islands. 



But it is not, in fact, admitted that any such objections exist. The 

 number of males killed did turn out to be excessive and was therefore 

 reduced. This, however, only became manifest after the ruthless de- 

 struction at sea had begun to be felt on the Islands. That destruction 

 is only limited by the capacity of the destroyers. They profess no 

 scruples and they show no mercy. Their ''legitimate business" requires 

 courage and skill, it is said, but it is incompatible with the ordinary 

 feelings of humanity. Present gain is the only object in view. The 

 poachers* horizon is limited by the season's catch. Is it not an insult 

 to common sense to deny that the pursuit of pregnant females and the 

 slaughter of nursing mothers on their feeding grounds are wholly, abso- 

 lutely, brutally inconsistent with any system that requires moderation, 

 self-denial and humanity ? Leaving out all other questions as irrelevant, 

 is it not enough for the United States to say, "We can preserve 

 for the benefit of the world the animal which your poachers are destroy- 

 ing; you can only do it by a prohibition of methods which you would 

 not for an instant tolerate in analogous cases within your jurisdiction. 

 Of what avail are small criticisms upon our system of protection when 

 we are so largely concerned in carrying them to the point of the high- 

 est perfection?" 



When suggestions are asked as to any other way of repressing or 

 circumscribing this destructive slaughter, the British Commissioners 

 propose as a remedy that Bering Sea be dosed when sealing is un- 

 profitable, and opened during the season when the horrors and the 

 profits of the business both reach their climax. The language of the 

 Counter Case of the United States, commenting upon this extraordi- 

 nary suggestion, is couched in singularly moderate terms: 



