Mr. Choate to Mr.
Hay.
American Embassy,
London, October 15,
1904.
No. 1452.]
Sir: With reference to my telegram of the 13th
of July last and to subsequent correspondence relative to the protection
of the seals in the region of the Commander Island, I have the honor to
inclose herewith a copy of a note from Lord Lansdowne, dated the 13th
instant. * * *
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure.]
Lord Lansdowne
to Mr. Choate.
Foreign Office, October 13, 1904.
Your Excellency: I have the honor to inform
Your Excellency that a telegram has been received from the officer
commanding His Majesty’s ship Algerine, the
vessel deputed to visit the Commander and Robber islands with a view
to the protection of the Russian seal herds, to the following
effect:
No British schooners have been seen, but 18 Japanese schooners have
been found seal hunting near the Commander Island and their names
taken. The rookeries appear to have been raided to a small
extent.
[Page 342]
On the passage to Hakodate the Algerine
visited the river Tinel, latitude 58°, and there took on board the
crew of the American steamer Mineola, which
sank after striking on an unknown rock. The crew consisted of 31
persons, including a Russian official, a passenger. The commander of
the Algerine proposed to land them at
Hakodate.
I have, etc.,
