I02 BULL.ETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 



involves an additional loss through its effect on the foxes. As shown in the special 

 discussion (p. io6), the decline of the output of fox skins has been coincident with 

 the reduction of seal killing and is due to the lack of a sufficient supply of seal carcasses 

 upon which the foxes are dependent. This decline has progressed more rapidly since 

 the limitation of sealing imposed by the law of 1912 until at the present time the fox 

 industry is in a highly undesirable condition, the animals being greatly reduced in 

 number and the stock deteriorated in quality and vigor. The resumption of sealing 

 on a larger scale would provide means for the upbuilding of the fox herd; otherwise 

 prompt measures of some other sort will be necessary. The main problem is one of food 

 supply, and owing to the isolation of the islands and the poor facilities for communi- 

 cation the securing of fox food other than seal meat is beset with difficulties. Therefore 

 it is desirable that seal meat be provided for them at the earliest possible time; that 

 is, as soon as the condition of the seal herd will warrant it. That this time has already 

 arrived is evident from the general results of the investigation of 1914, and while no 

 consideration of the foxes should be permitted to jeopardize the sealing interests it is 

 to be remembered that with the good condition of the seals assured the foxes are 

 capable of producing a revenue not to be ignored. 



In former years, without any attempt at careful management, more than 1,000 

 fox skins were taken annually on St. George Island alone. Such an output, at the 

 prices prevailing in recent years, would have realized a revenue of $40,000 to $50,000 

 per annum. That an equally large or a larger revenue may be obtained in the future 

 is scarcely to be doubted if proper measures be taken now. 



THE TREATY. 



The treaty effective December 15, 191 1, between the United States, Great Britain, 

 Japan, and Russia is essentially an agreement by which the foreign nations relinquish 

 their right to take seals on the high seas in exchange for a share in land sealing to be 

 conducted by the United States. The main assumption of the treaty is that the decUne 

 of the herd has been caused by pelagic sealing and not by land sealing, a conclusion 

 formed and agreed upon by the joint conference of British and American experts after 

 the investigation of 1896-97. The Governments of Great Britain and Japan paid 

 large sums to retire their sealing fleets, obviously expecting to be reimbursed in the 

 near future by their 15 per cent share of land sealing. The United States is granted 

 the right to suspend land sealing under two conditions: (i) To protect and preserve 

 the seal herd, and (2) to increase its number. The statements of the treaty in regard 

 to these provisions (Sen. Doc. No. 75, 62d Cong., ist Sess.) are as follows: 



Art. X, page 7, lines 15-22: Provided, however, That nothing herein contained shall restrict the 

 right of the United States at any time and from time to time to suspend altogether the taking of 

 sealskins on such islands or shores subject to its jurisdiction, and to impose such restrictions and 

 regulations upon the total number of skins to be taken in any season and the manner and times and 

 places of taking them as may seem necessary to protect and preserve the seal herd or to increase its number. 



Art. XI, page 8, lines 25-32: If, however, the total number of seals frequenting the United States 

 islands in any year falls below one hundred thousand (100,000), enumerated by official count, then 

 all killing, excepting the inconsiderable supply necessary for the support of the natives as above 

 noted, may be suspended without allowance of skins or payment of money equivalent until the number 

 of such seals again exceeds one hundred thousand (100,000) enmnerated in like manner. 



