Mr. Breckinridge to
Mr. Olney.
Legation of the United States,
St. Petersburg
,
November 30,
1895
. (Received Dec. 16.)
No. 180.]
Sir: Since my dispatch No. 168, of 15th
November, in reply to your telegram of November 13 concerning the
reported seizure of sealers in the Sea of Okhotsk, I have had the files
of the St. Petersburg papers carefully searched and find that
information upon the subject was published in the Novoe Vremia on the
7th of November, our style. This consisted of a telegram from
Vladivostok, dated the day previous, with editorial comment,
translations of which are herewith inclosed.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No.
180.]
Translation of editorial in Novoe Vremia of 26th
October/7th November, 1895.
As seen from the telegram of our Vladivostok correspondent, foreign
pirates continue to make attacks on Russian industry in the Bering
and Okhotsk. The war transport Yatka, sent
there to guard these industries, has succeeded in seizing seventeen
poaching schooners with sealskins departing from the Isle of Seals.
The old story of the sea seal as seen can be well compared to the
history of the white calf. Poachers of various nationality
unmercifully kill and carry off seals in waters belonging to us. It
happens now and again that they get caught and pay for it by the
confiscation of their vessel and capture, but they are released and
renew their piratic expeditions from San Francisco or other places.
The industry is too lucrative, and Russian protection is still too
meager in this region. In 1891 a treaty was concluded between the
United States and England by which it was agreed that the subjects
of both parties should be prevented from hunting seals in certain
parts of Bering Sea. Embarrassed by the Anglo-American treaty, the
execution of which is well protected, the sea poachers have thrown
themselves in Russian waters, and it is the fifth year that we are
obliged to send a man-of-war to cruise about the Commander Islands
in order to put some limit to the audacity of the pirates. But as it
is seen this time that the poachers are able to make their escape
with full cargoes of seals, it is evident that one man-of-war for
the protection of our possessions in the Seas of Okhotsk and Bering
is insufficient.
[Page 497]
[Inclosure 2 in No.
180.]
Translation of telegram in Novoe Vremia of
October 26/November 7, 1895.
[Telegram dated. Vladivostok, October
25/November 6, 1895.]
The transport Yatka, protecting marine
industry in the Sea of Okhotsk, seized seventeen foreign poaching
vessels at the Island of Seals, with a freight of killed seal bears.
The poachers were landed on the island. One of the poaching
schooners made its escape.
