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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

। ། ། ། ། ། ........................C.O. 885

23 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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for the Colonies, had his attention drawn to the constant destruction of wild birds for the sake of their plumage, and, as a result, appointed a Committee consisting, of representatives of the Colonial Office, India Office, Board of Trade, and the Trustees of the Natural History Museum to consider how far it might be possible to restrict the demand for plumage by legislation in this country and the Colonies, or by international agreement.

Under- The Committee, which was presided over by Mr. E. S. Montagu, M.P., Secretary of State for India, was only able to meet at comparatively long intervals, but evidence was taken, not only from representatives of the trade, but also from other well-known persons interested in the subject.

The Committee has now addressed to the Secretary of State for the Colonics a report expressing the unanimous opinion that it is eminently desirable that all practicable measures should be taken for the suppression of the traffic in the feathers of those species of wild birds which are now destroyed merely for the sake of their plumage, and that the only thoroughly satisfactory method of attaining this end is to secure an international agreement by which the importation of such feathers will be prohibited by all civilised countries except when they are introduced for bonâ- fde scientific purposes."

The Committee, during the course of their deliberations, were fully aware of the negotiations undertaken by this Department in 1909, but they state that since that time they have been led to suppose that public opinion on the Continent is becoming more alive to this question, and as evidence thereof they adduce a resolution adopted at the International Ornithological Congress held in 1910 in the following terms :—

The International Ornithological Congress, representing the ornitho- logical science of all countries, pronounces it to be an absolute necessity that measures be taken forthwith for the protection of birds, especially those which are persecuted for millinery purposes.

•

The different Governments will have to decide about the special rules and laws which should be passed to gain this object.

The officers of the Congress are asked to take the necessary steps to bring about an international understanding, determining the best methods to adopt to protect all birds, especially those which are persecuted for their feathers, or in an irrational way."

The Committee therefore urge that another attempt should be made by His Majesty's Government to convoke an international conference, and they consider that the recommendation inserted in the Protocol XI drawn up by the British, Russian, Japanese, and United States delegates at the International Fur-Seal Conference of 1911, and which contains certain suggestions for international action in regard to the preservation of wild plumage birds, provides a suitable opportunity tor reopening the subject. Copy of this Protocol is herewith enclosed. The Committee suggest that if a Conference is summoned His Majesty's Government should endeavour to secure an agreement on the following lines :-

(4) The importation of the skins and feathers of wild birds (other than ostrich feathers, eiderdown, and such other feathers as it may be considered desirable or unobjectionable to except) should be prohibited by every country taking part in the Conference.

(b) An exception should be made in the case of skins required for bonâ-fide scientific purposes. The right to import for such purposes should, however, be confined to institutions or persons to whom the Govern- ment of the country into which the skins are imported has granted a special permit, which should only be given on the recommendation of a committee of ornithologists.

(c) Each Government taking part in the Conference should undertake to legislate for the prohibition of the export of skins and feathers from the countries and territories under its control, subject to the exceptions specified above.

His Majesty's Government fully approve the recommendations of the Committee, and I therefore request that you will explain to the Government to which you are accredited the views of His Majesty's Government in this matter, and express the hope that they will be able to be represented at the International Conference which His Majesty's Government now hope to convene in order to draw up a Convention on the lines indicated in the present despatch.

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The date of the Conference and its place of meeting will be communicated to you later.

His Majesty's Representative

at

I am, &c.,

(For the Secretary of State),

ALGERNON LAW.

INTERNATIONAL FUR SEAL CONFERENCE, 1911.

PROTOCOL XI.

July 3, 1911.

The International Fur Seal Conference met at 5 o'clock at the Department of State, Washington, all the Delegates being present except Mr. Nagel.

The following memorandum, embodying the recommendations of the Committee

of Experts relative to a proposed international game law, was submitted to the Conference:-

MEMORANDUM.

At informal conferences held on the 21st and 31st May, 1911, the following tentative recommendations relative to the protection of marine animals and plumage birds were agreed upon, for submittal to the representatives of the respective Govern- ments. Those in attendance at the Conference were Baron Nolde, Mr. Brajnikov, Dr. Kitahara, Mr. Macoun, and Dr. Smith.

Walrus-The prohibition of the killing or hunting of walrus in the extra- territorial waters of Bering Sea between the 1st May and 15th October, for a term of years; the natives to be allowed to kill walrus for their own use, but not for sale or barter.

Sea lion. No protection of the sea lion in open waters of the North Pacific appears to be demanded at present, and consideration of this animal is therefore passed over.

Elephant seal. The hunting of the sea elephant should be prohibited absolutely. and the importation of sea-elephant products into the respective countries should be forbidden.

Whales. 1. The hunting or killing of the right whale and the bow-head whale should be prohibited for a term of ten years, beginning in 1913 or 1914, both on the high seas and in territorial waters.

2. No floating factories should be allowed in the whale fishery.

Plumage birds.-1. Each country to respect the bird preserves or reservations already established or that may hereafter be established by any other country party to the Conference, and to prohibit its subjects from visiting such preserves or reser- vations except under proper authority.

2. Each country to prohibit, so far as practicable, traffic in plumage birds killed

in violation of the laws of any other country party to this Conference.

3. The birds particularly affected by the agreement are the following, and such other species as may be found to breed on said preserves and notice of which may from time to time be given by one country to the other countries party to the agreement:-

Albatrosses (Diomedea).

White terns (Gygis).

Sooty terns (Sterna fuliginosa).

Gulls (Larus).

4. Definition: Plumage birds are those which from the beauty or peculiarity

of their plumage are desirable for commercial purposes.

It was agreed that the foregoing memorandum should be inserted in the Protocol

of the Conference, and should be referred to each Government for further considera- tion and for such action as should be deemed appropriate.