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Show jTI SEALFISLIERIES. i j A Bill Prohibiting British Subjects from Catohing Seals in Behring Sea Introduced In-troduced ia t'a 9 Couimoas. WHAT WASHINGTON THINKS OF IT It is Claimed the Effort to Stop Peal Catching Catch-ing was Bf tin too Lata to Work Satisfactory Results. London, May J;i. In the house of commons today a bill prepared by the government prohibiting Krilbisli subjects sub-jects from catching seals in the liehring sea for a certain period, was introduced. intro-duced. The duration time of during which seals cannot be captured is not, however, given in the bill. Washington, May 'JO. Although it is believed by the officers of the state and treasury departments that suliicien time yet remains in which to pass the act of parliament ami effee-tnally effee-tnally put into operation the "close season" a contrary opinion is taken of tbe situation by some other persons who say that, the effort now being madj was begun too late. This opinion is largely based on Canadian opposition and a .possibility that Canadian influence influ-ence may bo siroug enough to delay parliamentary action, notwithstanding Salisbury's desire for a close season. It is understood that Salisbury himself, tnrougli Pauucefortj, expressed to him a government doubt as to his ability to prevent operations by sealing vessels already fitted out and iu the liehring sea prepared for work. Washington, May L'iL The president presi-dent yesterday received a dispatch from Minister Lincoln at Loudon, saying that oilicial notice had been given iu the commons that a bill would be introduced intro-duced on Mondsy to authorize the queeu to prohibit KritUh subjects taking seals in liehring sea. The question engaged tho president's presi-dent's principal attention, aud he had conferences with the cabinet. The point considered was the advisability of sending war vessels to Kehringsea lo reinforce the revenue cutters iu preventing pre-venting the taking of seals in case a closed season is decided upon. This fleet would, of course, co-opt rate with the English war ships now iu these waters in the enforcement of the agreement agree-ment as concluded. It is understood that the secretary of tho navy reported that there nre three naval vessels that ceuld be prepared for this service without with-out much delay. The news of 'iosehen's action was received re-ceived witn satisfaction at the state department. de-partment. Generally it is taken as an indication that the Kritish government is ureparinir to accent the conditions 't proposed by the president as prelimi-t prelimi-t nary to arbitration, and cause Kritish . vessels to refrain from sealing mean- i time. - -."..-.:.-'. . , i The fixed period for cessation of sealing seal-ing referred to by (Josehen probably 1 means the remainder of this season. During this time the arbitrator (for it is to be presumed that the Kritish government's govern-ment's action carries with it acceptance of the terms of arbitration held out by the President during the correspondence) cor-respondence) will have an opportunity to reach an agreement. In t tie event that the point of arbitration is not reached, it may be that some time will be consumed in sending an expert commission to Alaska to investigate the actual condition of the rookeries rook-eries and settlo the question which is still at issue between the governments govern-ments of Oreat llritain and the United States as to whether what is known as "pelagic sealing" or killing seal in the open sea on their way to and from the shore rookeries, is fully as destructive of seal life as has been reported by th! United States treasury agents. The revenue cutter Hear will sail from Seattle Saturday on her annual cruise in Alaskan walers. |