XX FUR-SEAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



to the Government a revenue greater than the entire cost of the Terri- 

 tory. 



It seems clear to the committee that, if the waters of Bering Sea were 

 the "high seas," these products were as free to our fishermen and seal 

 hunters as the Russians, and there was, therefore, no reason on that 

 account for the purchase. But it was well understood that Russia 

 controlled those waters; that her ships of war patrolled them, and seized 

 and confiscated foreign vessels which had violated the regulations she 

 had prescribed concerning them 5 and the argument in favor of the pur- 

 chase was, that bj^ the transfer of the main-land, islands, and waters of 

 Alaska we would acquire these valuable products and the right to pro- 

 tect them. This protection can only be effective by the employment of 

 means similar to that adopted by Russia. Armed vessels should patrol 

 Alaskan waters and enforce the laws of the United States. 



It must be remembered that only a small number, comparatively 

 speaking, of the fur seals remain on the islands the entire season, and 

 that millions of them traverse Bering Sea for miles in quest of food, and 

 cover large areas of water. Now, if the protection only embraced the 

 islands and the 3-mile belt of water surrounding them, a vast number 

 of seals would be left to the mercy of tbe seal-hunters, and the destruc- 

 tion of the rookeries would be swift and certain. 



In settling the policy of the Government in connection with the 

 future disposition of the Pribylov Islands the present and prospective 

 condition of the inhabitants of the Aleutian chain of islands from 

 Oonalaska to Attou, inclusive, should not be neglected. There are 

 today about 1,000 persons inhabiting these islands who mainly derive 

 their means of subsistence from the sale of sea-otter skins taken by 

 them. They also take some fish about the shores, possibly in quanti- 

 ties sufficient to sustain life, but this catch is not available for sale or 

 barter, so as to in any way increase their income or enable them 

 through it to better their material condition. The pursuit of J;he sea- 

 otter is now so eager and persistent that the animal can not hold its 

 own against the hunters, and in a few years, doubtless, will be exter- 

 minated from its haunts in the localities above referred to. 



Had the Government in the past prohibited the hunting of the sea 

 otter by any but Aleuts and not permitted white men married to Aleu- 

 tian women to rank as native hunters, and also confined J;he Aleut in 

 his hunting to the use of spear and arrow (not allowing firearms), it is 

 possible that the animals might have been maintained in perpetuity, 

 but not only were such restrictions placed, but even the rules made have 

 been disregarded, and the extinction of the sea otter is not far distant. 

 When that time arrives the inhabitants of the Aleutian chain will be 

 left in a deplorable situation unless timely consideration is given to their 

 case. As it is to-day the people of Attoo, the westernmost island, would 

 hardly have been able to maintain existence for the past three years 

 had not the present lessees of the seal islands annually sent a vessel 

 with supplies and necessaries from Oonalaska to their island, a dis- 

 tance of about 700 miles, to aid this impoverished community, getting 

 a return in skins (the only trade of the people), insufiicient at their re- 

 tail value to compensate for the coal consumed in making the trip. 



Before suggesting methods of relief for the Aleutians let us look for 

 a moment at the i)ast and present condition of the Pribylov Islands, 

 their people, nnd their seal jjroduct. Before the cession of Alaska the 

 Russians under their luki employed upwards of 200 Aleuts as laborers 

 on the islands of St. Paul and St. George. Alter the cession, under 

 the operation of the treaty, a large number of these people elected to 



