118 COUNTER-CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 



the same region to a point 30 miles east of tlie Semichi 

 Islands, in tbe Aleutian chain ; while others, supposed to 

 di?voi.ii^p.^2l5"^^^*^"S to the Pribyloff Islands liave bi'eu similarly 

 observed at Amchitka Island, the distance intervening 

 being only about 140 miles, which, in the case of an animal 

 coustituted as the seal is, may be regarded as practically 

 obliterating the gap iu distribution upon which it is 

 endeavoured to insist in the Case of the United States. 



NEGATIVE EVIDENCE PROVES NOTHING. 



caY°^pp 96^9? Most of the evidence quoted in the United States Case 



anil ' Appendix^ ou this subjcct Is j)urely negative in character, being to the 



"^*'' "• effect that certain individuals did not see fur- seals when 



making voyages along the Aleutian Islands, or between 



San Francisco and Unalaska. As the witnesses cited were 



not looking for seals, and are therefore scarcely likely to 



Vnited States liavc obscrvcd Or uotcd them unless in large numbers, their 



vorii^pp^"205.' evidence can be considered as of but little real value, 



207,210. though some of the seamen express the opinion that the 



seals from the two sides of the Pacific do not mingle. 



The evidence of some natives is also offered, but it will 

 be found on examination to be of a vagne and indefinite 

 cliaracter, and when the language in which the declara- 

 tions are expressed is scrutinized, it is difficult to believe 

 that they are a correct leproduction of the expressions 

 used. 



STATEMENTS BV THE BRITISH COMMISSIONERS FROM 

 INVI<:STIGATIONS IN 1891. 



A discussion of the ascertained facts relating to 

 136 the distribution of the fur seal at sea, and on the com- 

 mingling of those of the two sides of the North 

 British Com- Pacific, will be found in the Eepoit of the British Commis 

 missioners' K e - sioucrs, who personally investigated these matters by cruiz- 

 223,451,457.' " iug aloug the whole chain of the Aleutian Islands and 

 visiting the Commander Islands. 

 ibi(i.,Diasraros The rcsult of tlicir iuquirics is shown in the Maps accom- 

 Nos. II, III, and panying their Eeport, and they write : 



Ibid., para. 27. The comparative proxuiiity of tl)o breedino; islands frequented by 

 tlie seals pertaininjr to thes» two migratlDn tracts during tlie suuuner 

 insures a certain interrelation and interchange of seals hetwecn the 

 two groups, to an extent not tally known, and which doubtless varies 

 much in different years. 



While expressing themselves as unable to observe any 

 general difference as between the appearance of the seals 

 seen by them on the two groups of breeding-islands, they 

 quote evidence to show tliat some such slight difference, 

 whatever its cause, probably does exist, and add : 



Ibid., para. 456. The amount of interconnection betweim the two groups is doubtless, 

 however, sntticient to prevent any very striking or permanent pecul- 

 iarities, even of a varietal rank, to grow up. 



In conclusion, the Commissioners write: 



Ibid., Diagram Some evidence not without importance in this connection is afforded 



^o-^'- by a comparison of the diagrams elsewhere given, and re]U'esenting 



the number of seals killeil each year ou the two groups of islands. 



