Evening journal., 1897-11-09

ritory belonging TO Canada and in the
mining regions of British Columbia, the
fisheries trouble along the great lakes,
the bonded privilege granted Canadian
railroads. the controversy over rights
in the Frazier river, British Columbia,
and in Puget sound and the question
of a reciprocity arrangement between
the United States and Canada.
There is direct and definite informa-
tion that Sir Wilfrid comes prepared to
take up all these questions and II pos
sble include them in one general set
tlement, whereby the constant friction
they have engendered may be over
come. On some of these subjects he
will confer with President Mckinley,
and on at least one of them, that re-
lating to alien laborers crossing the
border. he will suggest such mutual
notifications Of present restrictions as
in his opinion will be OF material ad-
vantage to the thousands of Americans
now in the Klondike and British Co
lumbia mining country and at the
same time will be of advantage to Can
ada along the eastern border.
The essential features of Sir Wilfrd's
mission were communicated to the off,
cials here by persons fully advised of
the premier's plans. and 1t can 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 Bering sea settlement occasioned
the visit Of the Canadian premier, the
Canadian authorities attach less i'm
portance to it than they do to the other
questions mentioned They say that
the Canadian sealing interest is confined
almost entirely TO the far western ter
ritory, where the sealers fit out and
that even there a considerable percent
age Of the so called Canadian sealers
hail from Seattle, San Francisco and
other American ports who fit out in
Canadian ports under the British flag
What basis Of settlement can be reach
ed is not disclosed. but little doubt It
is said, is felt by the Canadians 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 sealers and re-
tire them from business With this
done, the United States, Russia. Japan,
Great Britain and Canada would be to-
gether in a suppression of pelagic seal
ing There Is no determination, how
ever TO advance this plan in preference
to others, and the scope of the settle
ment Will remain In doubt until the ne
gotiations open.
Sir WIlfrid Laurier and his associates
win nrge strongly that the border .in-
migration question be settled and on
this point VIII confer with the presi-
dent. Under the premiers direction the
Canadian parliament passed an alien
immigration law last spring, by which
American contractors and American la
haf inc in, 1aa
work on the Crows Nest Pass railway.
a government undertaking in western
Canada. On the other hand. IL is claim
ed by the Canadians that about 5000
Americans are in the Klondike terrific
ry belonging to Canada and that fully
10000 American contract laborers are
working In the mines Of British COlum-
bia. The United States immigration
laws, 1t is asserted, are administered
with harshness along the Canadian bor-
der and are a daily source of irritation.
Sir Wilfrid, therefore, will suggest that
the causes of irritation be removed on
both sides, and 1t is understood that he
IS prepared to offer a repeal Of Cana
dian restrictions in the Klondike and
other regions II the administration OF
the American law is made more lenient
In this connection also the co-opera-
ton or the united states Is desired 1T
the plans of the Canadian authorities
TO make an easy route to the Klondike
The proposed route is by boat from
Fort Wrangle to the Stickene river
United States. and up the Stickene va
Tasland lake to the Yukon river and
thence to the goldfelds. AS the StickenS
river is on American soil, it is desired
to overcome any possible controversy
although the treaty of Washington is
said to make the navigation Of the river
free to the Canadians and Americans
alike The need of this short route un-
der the patronage Of the Dominion Il
felt by the Canadian premier to be i'm.
perative. in view of information reach.
ing them that $1,000 Australians vii
come to the Klondike in the spring. A
total Of $4,000 colonists Is expected tS
head that way.
on the matter OF reciprocity the gen
eral purpose OF the negotiations will b'
10 give the United States the benefit o
the minimum clause Of the present Ca