not to insist upon a compliance with the provisions of the act so far as American vessels are concerned until further notice.

As the matter now rests, therefore, American masters are required to ship their men before the American consular officers.

WRECKING UPON THE NORTHERN FRONTIERS.

The Canadian parliament has again had before it for consideration the question whether it would grant reciprocity in the matter of wrecking by American vessels in Canadian waters.

The act of June 19, 1878, provided that Canadian vessels of all descriptions might render aid or assistance to Canadian or other vessels wrecked or disabled in waters of the United States contiguous to the Dominion of Canada. There was a proviso, however, that the act should not take effect until the President should declare that the privilege of aiding American or other vessels wrecked or disabled in Canadian waters contiguous to the United States had been granted by the Dominion government. The provisions of the act have been brought to the attention of the Canadian government from time to time, and measures have been introduced in the Canadian parliament with a view to authorizing the reciprocity on which the privilege mentioned in the act must be based.

There seems, however, to be a disposition on the part of a portion of the Canadian legislators to defeat the measure, on the ground, it is presumed, that the present condition of affairs is most favorable to Canadian shipping, or for the reason that the withholding of the privilege as to American vessels in Canadian waters may give the Canadian authorities an opportunity to demand additional concessions, especially in regard to the coasting trade. The facts indicate that said authorities, or at least a portion of them, consider that their vessels should be admitted freely to our coasting trade on the lakes, and that they are unwilling to grant any additional favors to American vessels, in the hope that such refusal may lead to the accomplishment of the object they desire. Under the regulations now existing in the United States Canadian wreckers are admitted to operate in our waters only when suitable American vessels and apparatus can not be obtained without unreasonable expense and inconvenience. The matter was before a committee of the privy council of Canada last year, and said committee stated that the Dominion government was ready, and had been ready, to enter into reciprocal arrangements with this Government for the coasting trade, which would also include the wrecking privilege and towing business of each Government. As instances of the cases in which a hardship is incurred by reason of the present condition of affairs, the bureau has mentioned the case of a steam barge which went ashore at Wellington, Ont., and for which immediate assistance was needed. A wrecker in the United States made ready to start at once, but on application to the Canadian authorities was informed that the privilege must be denied.

In another case the privilege was refused, although immediate assistance could have been given by American vessels, and, in fact, American steam-pumps were loaded and ready to be carried to the assistance of the vessel.

It was stated in that case that the vessel had to await assistance from a point in Canada nearly 300 miles distant. A delay of three days occurred, which almost ruined the vessel.

Cases somewhat similar may have taken place on this side, in which assistance might have been more directly rendered from Canada.

This office has always had a disposition to prevent, so far as practicable, any undue hardship in such cases in the United States.

The minutes of the proceedings of the senate of Canada, under date of Thursday, March 28, 1889, show that on the order of the day being read for the second reading of the bill intitulated "An act to permit foreign vessels to aid vessels wrecked or disabled in Canadian waters," the house divided on a motion to leave out all the words after "be" and insert the following: "not now read a second time, but that it be read a second time this day six months," and that the question was resolved in the affirmative and "ordered accordingly." It will be seen, therefore, that no reciprocal action under the act can be expected at present from the Canadian government.

The following bills were presented to the Dominion parliament:

1. Foreign vessels of all descriptions, with or without wrecking pumps, tools, and apparatus, may enter Canadian waters contiguous to the United States and render aid or assistance to foreign or other vessels wrecked or disabled in such waters without reporting or making entry to or with any officer of Her Majesty's customs; and such pumps, tools, and apparatus may be disembarked and landed in Canada for the purpose aforesaid without payment of any duty, fee, or fine; provided always that such pumps, tools and apparatus, within ten days after rendering such aid or assistance, are re-embarked and taken out of Canada.

2. This act shall take effect and remain in force when and so long as the like privilege of aiding Canadian or other vessels wrecked or disabled in American waters contiguous to Canada is extended to Canadian vessels by the Government of the United States.

Mr. Patterson's bill is in these words:

1. United States vessels of all descriptions may render aid and assistance to any and all vessels, of whatsoever nationality, wrecked and disabled in Canadian waters. 2. United States vessels may tow any ship, vessel, or raft, of whatsoever nationality, from one port or place in Canada to another, subject only to such dues or regulations as Canadian ships are subject to.

3. United States vessels or ships are hereby admitted to the coasting trade of Canada, and are authorized to carry goods and passengers from one port or place in Canada to another, subject only to such dues or regulations as Canadian ships are subject to.

4. This act shall take effect as soon as and remain in force so long as the like privileges of wrecking, towing, and coasting in United States waters are extended to Canadian vessels by the Government of the United States.

"TOWS" OF RAFTS.

Within the last two years the towing of rafts of logs has assumed unusual proportions. Tugs are engaged almost exclusively in this busi

ness.

In some cases the tow-lines are from 100 to over 200 fathoms in length, and the boom will cover from an acre to 5 acres of water surface. Of all tows, logs are the hardest to discern, and the men in charge of them are in constant fear of other craft.

It has been suggested that on a frame of four timbers bolted into a square shape for the support of a pole a red and white light might be suspended one over the other.

Such a signal would give the necessary warning not to pass between the tug and tow. A yawl is often kept ready to give warning, but in heavy weather it proves a bad dependence.

Another suggestion is to have in such cases two red lights with a white light between.

The following bill was introduced into the last Congress:

[To prevent dangers to ocean, lake, and river navigation from rafts of logs or timber.]

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That from and after the passage of this act no raft of logs or timber shall be brought into or taken out of any harbor, port, or place of the United States on the Atlantic, Pacific, or Gulf coast, or on any of the Great Lakes of the United States, nor shall any raft of logs or timber that may be brought into and upon any of the Great Lakes from any river, stream, port, or place in the Dominion of Canada, or any other foreign port, be towed, navigated, or in any manner propelled in or upon any of the Great Lakes or navigable streams connecting the same within the jurisdiction of the United States of America.

SEC. 2. That the penalty for the violation or attempted violation of any provision of this act shall be the forfeiture to the United States of America, according to law, of the logs or timber brought into or taken out of, or sought to be brought into or taken out of any harbor, port, or place in the United States, or when brought out of any foreign stream, harbor, port, or place, being towed, navigated, or in any manner propelled in or upon the Great Lakes or navigable streams connecting the same within the jurisdiction of the United States of America, contrary to the provisions of section one of this act.

SEC. 3. That this act shall take effect immediately.

THE FISHERIES.

The friction with the Canadian authorities attending the operation of the fisheries upon the Atlantic coast has been much less during the past season than in the season immediately preceding, said authorities having less vigorously pursued their protective policy than in former years, and our own seamen having from experience learned better how to proceed to avoid violations of the Canadian laws and the seizure of their property.

The treaty relating to the matter not having been adopted, the expiration of the existing modus vivendi may lead to some difficulties in the future, although it is to be hoped that such care will be exercised on both sides as to prevent unlawful or hostile action.

SEAL FISHERIES.

Efforts have been made by the Government under the acts of Congress applicable and the proclamation of the President through the revenue marine service to prevent the illegal killing of seals in Behring Sea. A number of vessels have been seized by the revenue-cutter Rush, but in all cases such seizure has not been effective, the vessels having proceeded to their home port in British Columbia notwithstanding the fact that a keeper was put on board.

Many seals have been slaughtered by these vessels during the season, and grave fears are entertained that the seal supply will be annihilated within a short time, unless some action can be taken to prevent the illegal killing of the animals, either by enforcing the laws of the United States upon the subject or by entering into agreement with the foreign governments whose vessels are now acting in violation of said laws. The following is an extract from a communication of this Department, dated the 12th of March, 1881, interpreting the expression "in the waters thereof," referring to the sea in question, viz:

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TREASURY DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, Washington, D. C., March 12, 1881. SIR: You inquire in regard to the interpretation of the terms "waters thereof" and "waters adjacent thereto," as used in the law, and how far the jurisdiction of the United States is to be understood as extending.

Presuming your inquiry to relate more especially to the waters of western Alaska, you are informed that the treaty with Russia, of March 30, 1870, by which the Territory of Alaska was ceded to the United States, defines the boundary of the Territory so ceded. This treaty is found on pages 671 to 673 of the volume of treaties of the Revised Statutes. It will be seen therefrom that the limit of the cession extends from a line starting from the Arctic Ocean and running through Behring Strait to the north of St. Lawrence Islands. The line runs thence in a southwesterly direction, so as to pass midway between the Island of Attou and Copper Island of the Kromanboski couplet, or group, in the North Pacific Ocean, to meridian of 193 degrees of west longitude. All the waters within that boundary, to the western end of the Aleutian Archipelago and chain of islands, are considered as comprised within the waters of Alaska Territory.

All the penalties prescribed by law against the killing of fur-bearing animals would, therefore, attach against any violation of law within the limits before described.

Very respectfully,

H. F. FRENCH,

Acting Secretary.

An act of Congress, approved March 2, 1889, provides for the protection of the salmon and seal fisheries of Alaska, as follows:

AN ACT to provide for the protection of the salmon fisheries of Alaska.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the erection of dams, barricades, or other obstructions in any of the rivers of Alaska, with the purpose or result of preventing or impeding the ascent of salmon or other anadromous species to their spawning grounds, is hereby declared to be unlawful, and the Secretary of the Treasury is hereby authorized and directed to establish such regulations and surveillance as may be necessary to insure that this prohibition is strictly enforced and to otherwise protect the salmon fisheries of Alaska; and every person who shall be found guilty of a violation of the provisions of this section shall be fined not less than two hundred and fifty dollars for each day of the continuance of such obstruction.

SEC. 2. That the Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries is hereby empowered and directed to institute an investigation into the habits, abundance, and distribution of the salmon of Alaska, as well as the present conditions and methods of the fisheries, with a view of recommending to Congress such additional legislation as may be necessary to prevent the impairment or exhaustion of these valuable fisheries, and placing them under regular and permanent conditions of production.

SEC. 3. That section nineteen hundred and fifty-six of the Revised Statutes of the United States is hereby declared to include and apply to all the dominion of the United States in the waters of Behring Sea; and it shall be the duty of the President, at a timely season in each year, to issue his proclamation and cause the same to be published for one month in at least one newspaper if any such there be published at each United States port of entry on the Pacific coast, warning all persons against entering said waters for the purpose of violating the provisions of said section; and he shall also cause one or more vessels of the United States to diligently cruise said waters and arrest all persons and seize all vessels found to be or to have been engaged in any violation of the laws of the United States therein.

Approved, March 2, 1889.

The proclamation of the President, dated March 22, 1889, is as follows:

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OFAMERICA.

A proclamation.

The following provisions of the laws of the United States are hereby published for the information of all concerned:

Section 1956, Revised Statutes, Chapter 3, Title 23, enacts that: "No person shall kill any otter, mink, marten, sable, or fur seal, or other fur-bearing animal within the limits of Alaska Territory, or in the waters thereof; and every person guilty thereof shall, for each offence, be fined not less than two hundred nor more than one thousand dollars, or imprisoned not more than six months, or both; and all vessels, their tackle, apparel, furniture, and cargo, found engaged in violation of this section shall be forfeited; but the Secretary of the Treasury shall have power to authorize

the killing of any such mink, marten, sable, or other fur-bearing animal, except fur seals, under such regulations as he may prescribe, and it shall be the duty of the Secretary to prevent the killing of any fur seal, and to provide for the execution of the provisions of this section until it is otherwise provided by law, nor shall he grant any special privileges under this section."

Section 3 of the act entitled "An act to provide for the protection of the salmon fisheries of Alaska," approved March 2, 1889, provides that:

"SEC. 3. That section 1956 of the Revised Statutes of the United States is hereby declared to include and apply to all the dominion of the United States in the waters of Behring Sea, and it shall be the duty of the President at a timely season in each year to issue his proclamation, and cause the same to be published for one month at least in one newspaper (if any such there be) published at each United States port of entry on the Pacific coast, warning all persons against entering such waters for the purpose of violating the provisions of said section, and he shall also cause one or more vessels of the United States to diligently cruise said waters and arrest all persons and seize all vessels found to be or to have been engaged in any violation of the laws of the United States therein."

Now, therefore, I, Benjamin Harrison, President of the United States, pursuant to the above-recited statutes, hereby warn all persons against entering the waters of Behring Sea within the dominion of the United States for the purpose of violating the provisions of said section 1956, Revised Statutes; and I hereby proclaim that all persons found to be or have been engaged in any violation of the laws of the United States in said waters will be arrested and punished as above provided, and that all vessels so employed, their tackle, apparel, furniture, and cargoes, will be seized and forfeited.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the city of Washington this twenty-first day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighty-nine, and of the Independence of the United States the [SEAL.] one hundred and thirteenth. BENJ. HARRISON.

By the President:

JAMES G. BLAINE,

Secretary of State.

Under the contract made with the Alaska Commercial Company the exclusive privilege is given to said company of taking seals on the islands of St. Paul and St. George, of the Pribyloff groups, in the Pacific Ocean. Under this contract, which will soon expire, the company may catch per year 100,000 male seals over one year old, on the payment of certain sums to the Government and the performance of certain other conditions. By selecting males only, and the exercise of care in not disturbing the residue of the animals when breeding upon the islands, the supply could probably be continued undiminished.

The use of fire-arms or killing in the water is prohibited. For this right the company agreed to pay the United States $55,000 a year rental; also a duty of $2.62+ on each seal-skin taken and shipped, and to make some further concessions to the natives of the two islands. This contract has yielded the United States $5,597,100. The whole territory cost the United States $7,000,000.

Hunting by outside parties is estimated to have destroyed 750,000 seals in the last three years.

Other favorite sealing grounds in the South Pacific were rendered unproductive by indiscriminate killing. Warned by this experience the Governments concerned in the existing grounds have endeavored to take measures to prevent the killing of seals by any persons not specially authorized.

In the Alaskan Islands the seals regularly frequent the same grounds yearly, arriving from the ocean in May and staying till December. Authorized persons are allowed to slaughter and skin a certain number of males at the rookeries annually. The killing is done with clubs, the seals being driven inland like sheep to the slaughtering grounds.