230 REPORT OF BRITISH COMMISSIONERS. 



For instance, when the "Lsalic" [?], an Amorican vessel, stranded on a reef near 

 Itrn]), the iialh os rendered as much assistance as tliey possibly could to tlie nulortu- 

 nate vessel, liut all ettorts having" proved fruitless, this vessel was wreckc<l at last, 

 and damages were claimed on the ground tiiat it was lost on account of siifticient 

 assistance not having been rendered. Such unlawful and unreasonable action on 

 the ])art of foreign vessels was of frequent occurrence. 



All these foreign poaching-vessels being of a much more improved type than the 

 ordinary Japanese fishing-boats, it was very ditticnlt to watch their movements in 

 tlie high seas, and, as about seven-tenths of the ishmd was uninhabited, lishing estab- 

 lishments in the whole island being very few, it was no wonder that watch could 

 not be efl'ectively kept by a few Commissioners with only two or three lishing-boats 

 to cruize with. 



Under these circumstances, in consultation with the Navy Department, two ships 

 of war were commissioned, and one of these two was stationed at the port of Neuinro, 

 one replacing the other in alternate years, and they were ordered to cruize round 

 the Knrile group in order to watch the poachers. 



Besides, the "Kioriomaru,''of Kaitakushi, was sent to Itrup every year from May 

 to October (season for seal-hunting) to cruize and watch in the vicinity of the 

 island. 



In March 1874 Mr. Alcott Brookes, His Imperial Majesty's Consul in San Francisco, 

 reported to the Foreign Office that six boats were being ])repared in Can:ida: to start 

 ior seal-hunting in the islands of Hokkaido, and soon afterwards he also reported that 

 some sealing-vessels had left the port of San Francisco. 



In May of the same year, upon consultation with tiie Foreign Office, Regulations, 

 consisting of three clauses, controlling the iisheries in the waters near the islands of 

 Hokkaido, were issued, viz. : 



"1. Along the coast-lines the limit of the territorial right of Japan is fixed at 3 ri 

 (1 ri = 2.440o miles) from the shore; incase of bays, the line of limit shall be meas- 

 ured from a straight line drawn between the two capes at the extreme ends of the 

 hay; but this applies only to cases where the space between the capes does not 

 exceed 3 ri. 



"If any foreigners he found fishing within the above-mentioned limit they shall 

 be arrested in as peaceful a manner as i)i>ssible, and sent to Hakodate, accompanied 

 by guards, and delivered to the Consul of the country of their nationality to be 

 dealt with in a pro])er manner. 



"2. If foreigners do not snhmit themselves to the anthorities, or any violent i-esist- 

 ance he offered by them at the time of such arrest, necessary force may be employed 

 to cari-y out the foregoing Hegnlations. 



"3. Inasmuch as there maybe some foreign vessels arriving in harbour in 

 162 consequence of stress of weather or want of water or fuel, a careful scrutiny 

 shall be made as to the true circumstances, and, upon ascertaining their good 

 faith, they shall be treated in accordance with the 'Regulations for Assistance to 

 Foreign Vessels in Distress.' And if His Imperial Majesty's subjects be found poach- 

 ing, tiieir fishing apparatus and catches shall be confiscated according to the exist- 

 ing Regulations, and they shall be delivered to the branch office at Nemuro, there to 

 be properly dealt with," &c. 



The "Kioriomaru" and "Genbumaru," belonging to Kaitakushi, having on board 

 interpreters and Seal Fishery Superintending Commissioners, were ordered to cruize 

 in the vicinity of Itrup to watch any foreign poaching-vessels. 



In the same month fhere was a pourparler with M. Benlin [?], master of a Danish 

 poaching- vessel the "Matt^e" [?]. 



In June, when the "Kioriomaru" was cruizing back, she met with six American 

 vessels, and tiiere were various interviews respecting them. 



In July His Imperial Majesty's ships "Hoshio" and "Osaka" were sent over, and 

 the "Kioriomaru" again sailed to the islands. 



In August an American ship "Snowdrop" ^^as found at Tankani Bay, and sonie 

 investigation was made. Five foreign vessels at Ounebctsu Bay were also subjected 

 to investigation. But these are only a few vessels out of many which were not 

 brought under notice. 



. To illustrate the cunning of foreign poachers, they, all of them, would enter and 

 anchor in harbours, pretending that they had come under stress of weather or for 

 want of water or fuel, going out of one port in the morning and entering another iu 

 the evening, their movements being so alert that it was a matter of no wonder that 

 a single watch -ship was unable to keep them under observation. But, on the whole, 

 the Island of Itrup was found unfavourable for the purpose of promoting our fisheries 

 and of watching for foreign poachers. The climate is very inclement; during sum- 

 mer niouLhs there is dense fog, and when the autumn approaches the fog begins to 

 lift, but only to be succeeded by a violent northwesterly gale, causing a heavy sea. 

 And there is no good harbour. Thus the navigation in these waters is very difficult. 



