320 ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 



have been instructed to rigidly enforce the law as to log-book entries. 

 The exact status, therefore, of the British law becomes important. 



I have further to call your attention to the fact that, by acts of Con- 

 gress making appropriations for sundry civil expenses of the Govern- 

 ment for the fiscal years ending 1895 and 1896, provision was made for 

 the appointment of seal experts to examine all seal skins landed in the 

 United States as to the number and sex, with the purpose of verifying 

 the log-book entries. All skins entered during the past season at United 

 States ports, except Port Townsend, were duly examined by said inspec- 

 tors as to number and sex; by an error, however, the skins entered at 

 Port Townsend, although duly counted, were not examined as to sex. 



I would respectfully request that you ascertain whether during the 

 past season the British Government employed similar inspectors to 

 verify the log-book entries of British vessels as to number and sex of 

 seal skins landed. 



I have also further to suggest that you request of the British Gov- 

 ernment that its consent be given to stationing United States inspectors 

 at British Columbian ports, for the purpose of verifying said log entries 

 of British vessels and examining the skins as to sex, freely according 

 to the British Government a like privilege in United States ports. 



I would also call your attention to the fact that under the British act 

 it is nowhere made the duty of the British naval officers to seize ships 

 when found in violation of the law. Section 11 of the United States 

 act imposes said duty, on United States officers duly designated by the 

 President. This latter point, I believe, has already been called by you 

 to the attention of the British Government. 



Should these suggestions as to new legislation meet with your 

 approval and be enacted by the respective Governments, I am confident 

 that the award can be enforced so as to better subserve the purpose for 

 which it was intended the preservation of the fur-seal fisheries. 



I have the honor to request that you communicate these suggestions, 

 if approved by you, to the British Government. 

 Eespectfully, yours, 



J. G. CARLISLE, Secretary. 



The SECRETARY OF STATE. 



TREASURY DEPARTMENT, 

 Washington, D. ., May 6, 1895. 



SIR : In my letter of even date herewith I had the honor to suggest 

 that you endeavor to secure the cooperation of the British Government 

 to the end that certain necessary legislation be enacted to render the 

 Paris award more effective for the purpose of preserving the fur-seal 

 herd. I have now the honor to transmit certain further suggestions as 

 to widening, by mutual agreement, the scope of the award, which I 

 believe to be warranted by the information now in possession of the 

 Department. 



The sealing season just closed was the first during which the pro- 

 visions of the Paris award were applicable, and I regret to have to 

 state that the pelagic catch of seals both without and within the award 

 area was the largest ever known in the history of pelagic sealing. 



In my communication to Congress, January 21, 1895 (Ex. Doc. No. 

 243, Fifty- third Congress, third session), 1 1 was able to state the catch 



1 A copy of this communication is appended hereto. 



