Mr. Dun to Mr.
Gresham.
Legation of
the United States,
Tokyo,
Japan, December 13,
1893.
Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith
translation copies of instructions issued by the department for foreign
affairs and the department of communications, respectively, to Japanese
consuls at San Francisco, Vancouver, and other foreign ports, and to the
proper authorities on the seacoast of Japan, to prevent the use of the
Japanese flag by foreign vessels for the purpose of evading the regulations
of the Paris Tribunal for the protection of fur seal in Bering Sea.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1.]
Caution concerning the granting of temporary
certificates of registration.
Department of Foreign Affairs,
Tokyo, December 1,
1893.
To the Consuls at San Francisco,
Vancouver, Tientsin, Shanghai Hong-kong, Singapore, Fusan, Ninsen,
Korsakoff, and the Commercial Agent at Vladivostock:
Having recently heard that there are certain foreigners abroad who, with
the object of carrying on illicit fishing, attempt to make use of the
names of Japanese in” the sale and purchase of vessels and the transfer
of registration of the same to Japan through the recognition at the
imperial consulates, and thereupon to proceed directly to the various
localities in pursuit of such purpose, you are instructed in the [Page 138] issuance of temporary
certificates of registration of vessels to act in the matter with strict
caution, so that no certificates shall be granted to parties carrying on
such dishonorable business.
Hayashi Tadasu,
Vice-Minister.
[Inclosure 2.]
Department of Communications,
Tokyo, December ,
1893.
To the Governors of Territories,
Imperial Municipalities, and Prefecture upon the Seaboard:
I am instructed to inform you that an agreement has been concluded
between Great Britain and the United States concerning fishing in Bering
Sea, and that report has reached here that since Japan is not a party
thereto, and not bound thereby, some attempts were likely to be made to
have vessels belonging to nationals of both countries registered under
the names of Japanese and fly the Japanese flag for the purpose of
following the pursuit of fishing in Bering Sea.
As the control of fishing by the different countries has become strict,
no doubt these designing schemes are contrived to evade the law. In
cases, therefore, of the purchase of foreign vessels, if the transfer of
registration is requested, you are, upon strict examination, to act in
the matter so that no such malfeasance as the above may arise.
Saito Hide-Aki,
Chief of the Marine Bureau.
