174 DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONIyENCE. 



common in tlie Falkland Islands and tlie adjacent seas. Bnt in those 

 islands, where hundreds of thonsands of skins were lormerly obtained, 

 there have been taken, according to best statistics, since 1880, less than 

 l,oOO vskins. In some places the indiscriminate slaiiiihtcr, especially by 

 use of lirearms, has in a few years resulted in completely breakhjg- uj) 

 extensive rookeries. 



At the present time it is estimated that out of an aggregate yearly 

 yield of 185,000 seals from all parts of the glo])e, over 1.jO,000, or more 

 than two-thirds, are obtained from the rookeries on the American and 

 Iviissian islands in Behring Sea. Of the remainder, the larger part are 

 taken in Behriug Sea, although such taking, at least on such a. scale, in 

 that quarter is a comparatively recent thiiig. ]>ut if the killing of the 

 fur seal there with lirearms, nets, and other destructive implements 

 Avere permitted, hunters would abandon other ami exhausted places of 

 ]nirsuit for the. more productive held of Behring Sea, where extermiiui- 

 tion of this valuable animal would also rapidly ensue. 



It is manifestly for the interests of all nations that so deplorable a 

 thing slionld not lie allowed to occur. As has already been stated, on 

 the Pribilof Islands this Government strictly limits the number of 

 seals that may be killed under its own lease to an American company; 

 and citizeus of the United States have, during the i)ast year, been ar- 

 rested and ten American vessels seized for killing fur seals in Behring 

 Sea. 



England, however, has an especially great interest in this matter, in 

 addition to that which she must feel in preventing the extermination of 

 an animal which contributes so much to the gain and comfort of her peo- 

 ple. Nearly all undressed fur-seal skins are sent to London, where they 

 are dressed and dyed lor the market, andwheremany of them are sold. 

 It is stated that at least 10,000 people in that city tind profitable em- 

 ployment in this work; tar more than the total number of peoide en- 

 gaged in hunting the fur seal in every part of the world. At the Prib- 

 ilof Islands it isbelieved that there are not more than 400 persons so 

 engaged; at Commander Islands, not more than 300; in the Northwest 

 coast hshery, not more than 525 Indian hunters and 100 Avhites; aifd in 

 the Cape Horn tishery, not riiore than 400 persons, of whom perhaps 

 oOO are Chileans. Great Britain, therefore, in coiiperating with the 

 United States to jn-event the destru<'tion of fur seals in Behring Sea 

 would also be perpetuating anextensiveand valuable industry in which 

 her own citizens have the most lucrative share. 



I inclose for yonr information copy of a memorandum on the fur-seal 

 fisheries of the world, i)rcparcd by Mr. A. Howard Clark, in response bo 

 a request made by this Department to the U. S. Fish Commissioner. I 

 inclose also, for your further information, copy of a letter to me, dated 

 December 3d las^t, from Mr. Henry W. Elliott, who has spent much time 

 in Ala.ska, engaged in the study of seal life, upon which he is well known 

 as an authority. I desire to call your especial attention to what is said 

 by Mr. Elliott in respect to the new method of catching the seals with 

 nets. 



As the subject of this dispatch is one of great imi>ortance and of im- 

 nuHliate urgency, I will ask that you give it as early attention as 

 possible. 



I am, etc., 



T. F. Bayakd. 



(For iiu;losures see Senate Ex. Doc, No. 106, Fiftieth Congress, second 

 session, pp. 90-06.) 



