FUR-SEAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA, 1909. 
51 
poachers could operate without interference within the limit and 
approach our shores at will. This situation would make a poacher 
of every sealer in the Japanese fleet; it would invite raids upon the 
rookeries themselves, and, however unsuccessful the latter might be, 
would provide such a source of friction between the two Govern- 
ments as would constitute an ever-present menace to the stability of 
the good feeling now existing between them. 
It would be better policy, in my opinion, to continue the expense 
and trouble of the maintenance of the present effective patrol than 
to leave the islands without protection, except on land, where sum- 
mary punishment for raids could be administered. To prevent 
crime is better than to punish it after its commission. The present 
patrol now prevents invasion of our territory. To abandon this 
patrol and to substitute only a shore guard in its place is to remove 
this element of prevention and to invite violations of our laws in the 
hope that we might afterwards apprehend and punish the offenders. 
The present shore guard of natives uses great caution in moving 
about the rookeries to avoid disturbing the timid bachelor seals, 
from which the take of skins is secured. A shore guard of marines 
on the rookeries, unacquainted with the habits of the seals, and 
unable to distinguish bachelors from breeding cows, would create 
and maintain such confusion on the rookeries as would seriously 
interfere with the securing of the normal yield of skins. 
Furthermore, the presence of such a guard in the villages creates 
difficulties of an administrative nature which should be avoided. 
On the other hand, to station such a guard at or near the rookeries 
would occasion a constant disturbance of seal life which would be 
equally objectionable. I recommend that a shore guard on the 
islands be not permitted. 
AFFAIRS OF THE NATIVES. 
Census of inhabitants . — A census of the islands for the year ended 
June 30, 1909, showed a total native population of 280. The individ- 
uals and groups composing this total may be classified as follows: 
Native Inhabitants of the Pribilof Islands, Year ending June 30, 1909. 
Class. 
Number. 
Class. 
Number. 
St. Paul. 
St. George. 
St. Paul. 
St. George. 
Families 
41 
22 
Deaths. . . . 
5 
5 
Males 
100 
43 
Net increase 
10 
Females 
93 
44 
Net decrease. . 
i 
Arrivals 
5 
Total population 
193 
87 
Births 
10 
4 
