358 ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 



MARCH 13, 1896. 



SIR: The act approved February 21, 1893 (27 Stat, 4712), extends the 

 provisions of section 195G of the Kevised Statutes, relating to the kill- 

 ing of fur-bearing animals in Alaska, to that portion of the North 

 Pacific Ocean covered by the international agreement reached as a 

 result of the Tribunal of Arbitration at Paris. The act provides also 

 that when such agreement is concluded it shall be the duty of the Presi- 

 dent to declare that fact by proclamation and to designate the portion 

 of the Pacific Ocean to which it is applicable. 



I have the honor to inquire whether the proclamation of the Presi- 

 dent, dated April 9, 1894, promulgating the provisions of the act of 

 April 6, 1894, containing the award of the Paris Tribunal, is the procla- 

 mation issued in compliance with the act of February 21, 181)3, above 

 cited, or whether it is deemed necessary that another should be issued 

 to meet the requirements of that act. 



In order that the necessary instructions may be issued to officers of 

 this Department, I have the honor also to request that I be advised 

 whether or not it is proposed to issue for the current year a proclama- 

 tion similar to that of February 18, 1895 (28 Stat., 1258), prohibiting 

 all persons from entering the waters of Bering Sea within the dominion 

 of the United States for the purpose of violating. the provisions of 

 section 1956 of the Kevised Statutes. 

 Eespectfully, yours, 



S. WIKE, Acting Secretary. 



The SECRETARY OF STATE. 



DEPARTMENT OF STATE, 

 Washington, April 20, 1896. 



SIR: In a private and confidential telegram from the British Foreign 

 Office to the British Ambassador at this capital it is stated, among 

 other things, that Her Majesty's Government is fully in accord with 

 the United States Government in desiring that all necessary and prac- 

 ticable measures should be taken to prevent the destruction of the seal 

 herd. To that end they propose to employ an additional cruiser the 

 forthcoming season on patrol duty, while notice has been issued by the 

 Canadian Government that in future seasons nursing females should be 

 distinguished from any others. 



It is added that, with a view to the consideration of the question of 

 further restrictions to be imposed in future years, Her Majesty's Gov- 

 ernment desires, with the concurrence of the United States, to com- 

 mission a naturalist from England to reside during the forthcoming 

 season on the Pribilof Islands 5 that the Canadian Government also 

 desires to again send Mr. Macoun to continue his investigations ; that 

 these gentlemen are expected to reach the islands in the early part of 

 June; and that Her Majesty's Government hopes that they will enjoy 

 the cooperation of the United States authorities and will receive all 

 necessary facilities for the accomplishment of the purposes of their 

 mission. 



It is suggested that the company leasing the fur-seal catch might be 

 willing to make arrangements to permit the gentlemen named to pro- 

 ceed in the company's steamer. 



Will you kindly give me your views upon the foregoing propositions, 



