The Evening Telegraph

The Fur Trade of Alaska.

A measure having the very desirable object of regulating the trade in the skins of fur-seals in Alaska, and preventing the extermination of the animals themselves, is before the House. For more than eighty years the fur-seals have been observed to make the islands of St. George and St. Paul their breeding place and nursery, coming in April, and departing as far north as the middle of September. So far as our knowledge extends, the destruction of the fur-seals upon these islands would involve the entire extinction of the race, and the operation could be easily effected, as these animals have but imperfect means of escape or defense on shore. The bill provides that the islands shall constitute a military district, with suitable officials and under proper restrictions. The exclusion of spirituous liquors is compulsory. There shall be only one harbor for the trade in skins, "to be continued as a military reservation;" vessels are not allowed to cruise or anchor elsewhere within five miles of the shore, or any person to effect a landing at any other point on the islands. The trade thence shall only be with San Francisco, where two dollars per skin shall be collected in lieu of all other Government dues. The number of seals to be killed, and the season when killing is permitted, shall be made the subject of rules and regulations by the Secretary of the Treasury. It shall be unlawful to kill female seals, or male "pups" less than a year old. The use of firearms against seals will not be permitted, nor shall anybody do anything to drive them away. The privilege of hunting is only allowed to natives or one year residents. The War and Navy Departments will assist in enforcing the regulations, and the penalties for violation of the provisions of the act are $500 fine and six months imprisonment for each offense. Aside from economical and humane considerations, there may be family reasons for preserving these amphibians. Some disciple of Darwin may yet find among them the ancestor of humanity.