346 ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 



thus deprived of this protection, should no longer exist. In reality, all the good 

 measures that have been taken in Bering Sea are paralyzed and productive of no 

 results from the very fact that the western part is not within the protected zone. 



Consequently, the Imperial Government, adhering to its view with regard to the 

 necessity of establishing a uniform regime for all waters of the Pacific Ocean situated 

 north of the thirty-fifth parallel of north latitude, is of opinion that it would be 

 more practical to make no exception in the case of Bering Sea by prohibiting seal 

 hunting until the termination of the labors of the aforesaid mixed commission, but to 

 enforce the same uniform regime in that sea to which all waters of the Pacific Ocean 

 north of the thirty-fifth parallel of north latitude are to be subjected. 



In ordering me to convey its thanks to the Federal Government for the kind com- 

 munication which it has been pleased to make to it, the Imperial Government 

 instructs me to assure Your Excellency of its earnest desire to cooperate in the suc- 

 cess of the aforesaid suggestions, as of any other suggestion tending to establish a 

 uniform regime for the regulation of fur-seal hunting on the high seas in all parts 

 of the Pacific Ocean north of the thirty-fifth parallel of north latitude. 



Be pleased to accept, Mr. Secretary of State, the assurance of my very high con- 

 sideration. 



A. SOMOW. 



His Excellency, RICHARD OLXEY, 



Secretary of State. 



[Inclosure.] 



IMPERIAL LEGATION OF RUSSIA, 



Washington, August 7-26, 1895. 



Mr. SECRETARY: In herewith transmitting to you a note bearing date of August 

 7-26, 1895, concerning the regulation of fur-seal hunting, I have the honor to send 

 you a memorandum containing a statement of the result of the labors of the special 

 commission instructed to report concerning the contents of the note addressed by 

 Mr. Gresham, late Secretary of State, to the ambassador of Great Britain at Wash- 

 ington, under date of January 23, 1895, relative to fur seals. 



For my own part, I desire to beg you, Mr. Secretary, to keep this legation informed, 

 as you have hitherto done, with regard to the development of this question, thus 

 facilitating a mutual understanding between our two Governments. 



Be pleased to accept, Mr. Secretary, the assurance of my very high consideration. 



A. SOMOW. 

 Hon. ALVEY A. ADEE, 



Acting Secretary. 



[Memorandum.] 



IMPERIAL LEGATION OP RUSSIA, 



Washington, August 7-26, 1895. 



The commission is of the opinion that our principal object, viz, to put a stop to 

 the extermination of fur seals, could be more successfully attained not by the 

 appointment of a technical mixed commission, but by the convocation of a regular 

 diplomatic conference whose decisions should be obligatory upon all nations. Other- 

 wise there is reason to fear that illicit fur-seal hunting will continue under other 

 foreign flags, such as that of Sweden, of Italy, etc. 



The representative of the ministry of finance has made the following remarks 

 concerning the enforcement of the decisions of the arbitrators at Paris: 



(1) It is to be desired that article 1 of these regulations, which prohibits fur-seal 

 hunting at all times and by all means within a zone of 60 nautical miles around the 

 Pribilof Islands, should be modified in such a way as to extend the zone in which 

 hunting is prohibited to 200 miles around the Commander Islands and Fulenien 

 (Robben Islands). 



(2) As the Commander Islands are on the boundary line between Bering Sea and 

 the Pacific Ocean, fur-seal hunting with firearms should be prohibited in all the 

 waters of the Pacific Ocean as far as 35 north latitude along the Konsilsky and 

 Commander islands and the coasts of Japan. 



(3) As the fur seals that winter on the Russian islands leave their winter lairs 

 earlier than those on the Pribilof Islands, the time during which sealing on the high 

 seas is prohibited should be made to last for the former not until the 1st of May, but 

 until the 1st of March, or, strictly speaking, until the 1st of April. 



