THE FUR-SEALS AND THE BERING SEA AWARD 49 



carefully the gradual decrease in the size of the American 

 herd from the beginning of pelagic sealing in 1880 to 

 about the year 1886, then showing that since that period 

 the steadily increasing rate of diminution of the number of 

 seals was in a direct ratio to the increasing size of the sealing 

 fleets, and further calling attention to th*e continuous and 

 rapid decline of seal herds in the last few years, Dr. Jordan 

 was forced to the conclusion that " pe^alic sealing . . . 

 has been the sole cause of the continued decline of the fur- 

 seal herds. It is at present the sole obstacle to their restora- 

 tion and the sole limit of their indefinite increase. It is 

 therefore evident that no settlement of the fur-seal question 

 as regards either the American or Russian islands can be per- 

 manent unless it shall provide for the cessation of the indis- 

 criminate killing of fur-seals, both on the sealing grounds and 

 on their migrations. There can be no open season for the kill- 

 ing of females if the herd is to be kept intact." 



Dr. Jordan recommended that Congress should enact laws 

 absolutely prohibiting Americans from engaging in pelagic 

 sealing at any time or season. Such legislation, he believed, 

 would furnish an excellent example to England, and would 

 place the United States in a strong position for pressing her 

 arguments against the capture of seals at sea. As a final resort, 

 in case no understanding could be effected with Great Britain 

 looking to the prevention of all pelagic sealing, he recom- 

 mended the expediency of branding with hot irons all the 

 female seals upon the Pribyloff Islands, thereby rendering 

 their pelts commercially worthless, but in no manner injuring 

 the seals. This, he thought, would protect them from the 

 onslaughts of the pelagic hunters and enable the Pribyloff 

 herd to maintain itself by keeping up the yearly average 

 birth-rate. 



The President was much concerned by the seriousness of the 

 situation as depicted by Dr. Jordan. He was again moved to 

 make strenuous efforts to induce Lord Salisbury immediately 

 to enter upon negotiations for a revision of the existing regula- 

 tions. The latter, however, would not accede to the Presi- 

 dent's wish. Professor D'Arcy Thompson, in his report soon 



