28 FUR-SEAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA IN 1910. 



into small pieces. After this several attempts were made to provide 

 sufficient fresh fish to feed the pups, but owing to rough weather 

 only several days' supply could be obtained. After this salt salmon 

 freshened in water was offered to the pups and eaten. When this 

 latter was finally refused, milk and mutton broth were fed to sickly 

 pups. 



All but one of these pups, 15 in all, died on the island, and that 

 one, after being placed aboard the Bear, died before reaching Seattle. 



These experiments are of value, however, as demonstrating that 

 by September 15 these pups have advanced to such a stage that 

 they can eat and digest solid food even though they continue to 

 nurse during October and November. The results also show, how- 

 ever, that on the seal islands these experiments can not be carried 

 on with hope of success because fresh fish can not be obtained with 

 regularity in sufficient quantity. Had these pups been taken to 

 Unalaska, where small fish can be readily obtained, it is believed 

 that much better results would have followed. 



Of the 14 that died on St. George Island, the autopsies in 2 cases 

 disclosed occlusion of the pylorus by stones taken through the mouth. 

 The death of at least 1 of the pups was due to this condition. 



PELAGIC SEALING. 



During the season of 1910, 25 Japanese sealing schooners were 

 boarded by revenue-cutter vessels on patrol in Bering Sea. Of 

 these, 2 were seized by the cutters, 1 for a violation of the alien 

 fishing laws and another for a violation of the customs law (sec- 

 tion 2773, Revised Statutes). As a rule pelagic sealing vessels kept 

 outside the 3-mile limit, and, so far as known, none of the men 

 composing the crews landed upon the islands for the purpose of 

 killing seals. 



Eleven Japanese in 3 small boats landed on St. Paul Island on 

 July 30 and- 31. It was stated by them that they had been lost 

 from their schooners and came to the islands as a place of refuge. 

 They were quartered on the islands until August 8, when they were 

 placed aboard the Manning and taken to Unalaska with 4 native 

 witnesses, charged with having landed upon the islands without 

 permission, in violation of the act of April 21, 1910. 



Upon trial before the United States commissioner at Unalaska 

 they were found guilty and each sentenced to a week's imprison- 

 ment. After serving this sentence they were placed aboard a Japa- 

 nese sealing schooner with their boats, guns, and other property and 

 sent home. 



Unofficial reports indicate that 5 Canadian sealing vessels took 

 seals last year in Bering Sea. Their catch from both the Pribilof 



