New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-30
pELAGICSEALING BILL a LA W
AMERICAN CITIZENS FORBIDDEN TO EN-
GAGE IN THAT INDUSTRY.
REGULATIONS PREPARED TO PUT THE MEASURE
INTO EFFECT-sTATus OF THE sEAi"N0
AND RECIPROCITY NEGOTIATIONS
WITH ENGLAND

AND RECIPROCITY NECOllhliONo
WITH ENGLAND.
WASHINGTON Dec. 29.-John w Foster had a
brief conference with the President to-day al'er
which the President approved the Dill pro".o-
ting the killing OF fur seals In the waters Oh the
North Pacific Ocean, passed the day congress
adjourned for the holidays. The act prohiols
the killing Of seals by American citizens. except
as they may be taken on the Prbylon Isiahos
by the North American Commercial Company
It also prohibits the importation OF seasK'ns
into the United States. whether raw oresseo'
dved or manufactured" The penalty for viola
ton OF the law is fine OF not less than S-oo
or more than $1,000, or imprisonment for not
more than six months, or both, TOT each oHehcc
including the forfeiture to the United States OF
the vessel It's tackle and cargo. Assistant sec
rotary Howell had already prepared regulations
under the BILL In anticipation Of the approval
NJ the President and they were sent TO the
White House this evening for signature 1t
ia expected that they will be made public to-
morrow.
II Is understood at the Treasury Department
that all consignments OF sealskins shipped be-
fore the bill was signed to-day Will not be SUD-
ject to Its provisions. There probably were
number Of such shipments.
Sir Julian Pauncefote the British Ambassa-
dor. has nearly recovered from long and pain
ful attack OF rheumatism which has kept him
in bed for a large part OF the last three months
The fact that he able 10 call at the state
Department yesterday led to reports that COIN
cldent with Lord Salisbury's decnation OF the
proposition to stop pelagic sealing Sir Julian
had renewed reciprocity negotiations. His call.
however, had no such significance. as Sir Julian
did not know of Lord Salisbury's answer when
ho ,,;sito ba al
rocity negotiations have proceeded steadily
through Mr. Adam First Secretary OF the En-
bassy. and Sir Julian Will now be able TO give
personal attention to the matter. The main de-
sire of the British West Indian colonies is TO Sc
cure the 20 per cent reciprocity reduction on
sugar. What will be offered In exchange mas
not yet been determined
At the outset the purpose OF the negotiations
was confined to the British West Indies. but
the present indications are that efforts VIII De
made to include Canada among the colonies re-
ce!ving the advantages OF reciprocity. How far
this can be DONE In view OF the failure OF the
Behring Sea negotiations. is rot clear. but II Is
probable that the British Government will pre-
fer to have the negotiations embrace all the
colones-including Canada-instead OK repeating
the action taken when the last reciprocity
treaties were framed. OF combining them TO the
West Indian possessions.
Mr. Kasson, the special Commissioner OF the
United States charged with the conduct OK the
negotiation Of reciprocity arrangements ana
treaties under the new Tarin law, mas not uh-
dertaken TO consider the subject or reciprocity
with Canada This abstention Is attributable 70
the fact that the subject OF reciprocity, pure
and simple as described In the Tarin act mas
become so involved with the sealing question
and other issues TO become practicaIIy IN.
separable from them. and 80 the entire suDJec'
Of Canadian relations appears TO remain IN con-
troll OF John w. Foster c,
II has been expected that the recovery OF pr
Julian would permit active steps on Inc Ahglo'
American treaty OF arbitration. Tiers is no
present prospect, however, that anything VIII
be done on that subject. and up TO THIS une no
negotiations have been openei between 'ile
Ambassador and the State Department, Bo,h
Governments have taken An attitude iavofape
TO reopening the negotiations, hut the Brltisn
Government will take no step whatever untii
definite assurance is al hand that any trea.y
which may be negotiated VIII become eHec'''e
by the ratification OF the Senate:
II Is said that the answer or Lord ea"souIy
on the Behring Sea question. when mas pe.n
briefly reported by cable. adds no new phase 20
the case as this declination was foresnado"ea
With Certainty by the answer OF Str Wilfrld
IaurIer the Canadian Premier declining 10 Sup
pelagic sealing. The action or Lord Sa.spu.S
merely adds the imperial and official sanc'loh 10
the declination Of the CANADIAN authoiI.i.s.
"A the Russo japanese American uea,y naue
several weeks ago for the stoppage OF pelatic
sealing was conditioned on tho cohcurre"ce VI
Great Britain In a similar measure, II IS pre-
sumed that the effect OF Great BRITAIN dc''o"
viii, no 10 nullify this treaty