tary of War has sent word to Speaker Reed asking that
a joint resolution be passed to enable the Department to protect its
property.

An appropriation of $75,000 was set aside some time ago to repair the
breach made by the sea at the Hook, but the work could not be commenced
until certain laws had been complied with, and the consent of New Jersey
had been secured, or Congress had passed a resolution instructing the
War Department to proceed with the work.

It will be a great advantage to the Government to close the inlet, as
the heavy guns can then be transferred to the proving-grounds on the
Hook by a railroad built on solid ground, and not liable to give way
under their extreme weight.

The property-owners in the neighborhood, however, are anxious that the
inlet should remain open, as they say that the Shrewsbury River has been
some two feet deeper since the Hook became an island, the boating and
fishing have much improved, and, above all, the current has become so
much stronger that the river can now drain itself, and has become much
healthier in consequence.

The Secretary of War has been asked to give the matter his careful
consideration before he allows the work of closing the inlet to be
commenced.

* * * * *

Our Government has had cause to complain of England in reference to the
seal question.

It seems that Great Britain makes hardly any effort to stop the
destruction of the seals, maintaining but two vessels in Bering Sea,
while the United States maintains five.

We have lately had some correspondence with England on the seal
question, but it has not been made public for fear of causing bad
feeling.

Mr. Foster, who, as we told you, has been on a special mission to London
and St. Petersburg to arrange the dispute, has met with a friendly
reception in Russia. He hopes that the success of his mission in St.
Petersburg may induce Great Britain to look favorably on it also.

It is desired that all the countries interested in the matter shall send
delegates to a conference to be held in Washington in October.

At the conference it is intended to discuss the whole subject anew and
make fresh arrangements.

The difficulty has been that the Treaty of Paris is still in operation,
and Great Britain is not willing to open the matter until the treaty has
expired.

The Canadian sealers are much averse to the plan of branding the seals.
We told you about this a few weeks ago