The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-11-13
MISSION.

Ths Canadian Premier and Members OF
His Cabinet Arrive at the National Capi-
tai, OstensIbly to Consider the Behring
Sea Question:, but Really TO Seek Settle.
ment OF Many Embarrassing Matters of
Long Standing.
W~AsHINGToN, Nov. 9.-The authori-
ties here have been advised that the
arrival to-day of Sir WiIfred Laurier,
premier of Canada; Sir Louis Davies,
minister of marine in the Laurier cab
met, and other officials of the Donin-
ion, is to have an important bearing
not only on the Behring sea settle
ment, but on all the pending questions
which have been sources of interna-
tional complication between the
United States and Canaia-namely:
The passage of alien laborers to and
from Canada; the North Atlantic fish
cries question: the presence of many
Americans in the klondi6e territory
belonging to Canada and in the mining
regions of British Columbia, the fish
cries trouble along the great lakes; the
bonding privilege granted Canadian
railroads; the controversy over rights
III the Fraser river, British Columbia,
and in the Puget Sound. and also the
question of Il reciprocity arrangement
between the United States and Canada.
There is direct and definite informa.
ton that Sir WilfrId comes prepared to
take up all these questions, and, if
possible, include them in one general
settlement whereby the constant fric-
ton they have engendered may be
overcome.
On some of these subjects he will
confer with Presi dent Mckinley. and
On AZ least one of them. that relating
to alien laborers cross NJ the border,
he will suggest such mutual mOdiica-
ton of present restrictions as III his
opinion will be Of material advantage
to the thousands of Americans now in
the klolAlike and British Columbia
mining country and at the same time
Will be of advantage to Canada along
the eastern border.
The essential features of Sir Wilfred's
mission were communicated to the Off
Gals by persons fully advised of
the premier's plans. and it eau be said
that the suggestion that the decks be
cleared of existing disputes between
Canada and the United States met with
the favor of the administration. While
the Bchrinr SEA settlement OccaSioned
the visit of the Canadian premier, the
Canadian authorities attach much less
Importance to it than they do to the
other questions mentioned. They say
that the Canadian scaling is confined
almost entirely to the far west terri
tory, where the scalerS fit out, and
that even there Il considerable per-
ccntage of the sO-called Canadian seal
ers sail from Seattle, San Francisco
and other ports, who lit out in Cana
dian ports under the British flag.
What basis of settlement can be
reached is not disclosed, but little
doubt, it is said. is felt by the Cana
dians that an amicable adjustment can
be made. Among the plans suggested
is that of an indemnity large enough
to permit Canada to buy out the seal
ers and retire them from business.
With this done, the United States,
Russia, Japan, Great Britain and Can
ada would act together in a suppression
OF pelagic sealing. There is no deter
however, to advance this
plan in preference to others, and the
scope of the settlement will remain in
doubt until the negotiations open.