The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-11-22

Lihety 10 be Cleared Up-Iho British
Governmsns Looks With Fayor Upon
the scheme ola Commission.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 2l.-There is
good reason to believe that the British
government viii view with favor the
formation of a commission to clear up
vexatious questions between the United
States and Canada. This attitude will
be important In the contamination OF
the commission plan. for the best ef-
forts of the United States nnd Canada
toward a general settlement could come
TO naught unless the imperial govern
ment approved the efforts and stood
ready to give them official execution In
the form OF treaty. At first the sharp
differences aroused by the present Ber-
Ing sea meeting led to the belief that
Great Britain might stand In the way of
a commission, which would discuss,
among other questions, such imperial
subjects as the tariff. The British have
been tenacious OF holding the advan-
tages secured by Canada's preferential
British tariff, and 1t was thought the
colonial office Mt London would not view
with favor any movement by a COM
mission which would disturb this pref
erential tarift, II appears, however,
that the British officers are sincerely
anxious 10 close up the various irritat-
ing questions which have long existed
between Canada and the United States
through the medium OF q commission or
otherwise. and that no idea is enter
tained that when the commission dealt
with the imperial subject Of the tariff,
1t would Involve any disturbance OF the
British Canadian tariff relations. There
are said to be many articles, such as
coal and fish. which are not exchanged
between Great Britain and Canada. on
such articles, therefore, any reciprocal
arrangement between the United States
and Canada would have no influence on
British trade with Canada. The home
government Is said to be fully conscious
Of the advantages which Canada may
secure in the extensive American mar
kets lying alongside OF her, and there Is
understood to be every desire to aid Can
ada in the enJoyn. snt OF reciprocal trade
with this country. Already the British
ambassador has been authorized from
London to begin negotiations for reci-
procity treaties between the United
States and the British We6t indian colo
MES. This Is cited to show the favor
which the London authorities show to-
ward securing the best reciprocal ad-
vantages for British colonies. II Is said
the same view would prevail as to Can
adlan reciprocity. In any event the
work of a commission would be prellm-
mary only. and It would remain for the
British government to give II effect by
formal treaty.
The subjects other than the tariff,
such as border immigration fishing In
the great lakes, etc, are not OF an i'm
perial character and concern only the
United States and Canada. In these, 1t
Is said, Great Britain has no interest
whatever, except to see them settled on
terms satisfactory to Canada. The lake
fisheries have been prolific source of
trouble. 1t Is claimed that the fish of
the lakes. particularly white fish, are
being cNterminated by the lax OF laws
OF some OF the states bordering ON the
lakes. The destruction Of the fish Ia
said to be analogous TO the destruction
OF the seals In Berlng sea and one of the
subjects which CANADA would urge be-
fore the commission would be the pro-
lection OF the fisheries OF the lakes.
Prof. Darcy Thompson, the BrH-
ish seal expert, having concluded his
labors here, left to-day for Toronto. In
tending 10 reach New York in time 10
take the Lucanla for Liverpool later in
the week. His trip to Canada is per-
sonal and has no connection with pend
ing Bering sea negotiations Prof.
Thompson expresses himself as well
pleased with the recent meeting OF ex-
perts and with the results arrived at.
Since the expert agreement was reach
ed, protocol has been signed by Mr..
Hamlin, chairman of the expert meet
ing and to the secretaries, Mr.. Veening
in behalf of Canada and Mr., Clark In
behalf Of the United States. This pro-
tocol sets forth the circumstances un-
der which the meeting was held. with
the minutes OF the proceedings and to
some extent aids In the Interpretation
OF the agreement by showing all the
circumstances leading up to II.
Sir Julian Pauncefote. the British am
bassador, has been confined to his room
for the last two weeks with return OF
his old allment of rheumatism. 1t pre-
vented his attendance at the BerinE sea
meetings and In this and all other af-
fairs OF the embassy Mr.. Adam. first
secretary. has been in charge. In the
meantime such questions as reciprocity
with the British West indies, the gem
eral arbitration treaty. etc, have been
in allegiance, but they are likely 90 come
up for discussion with the authorities
here as soon as Sir Julian Is fully recov-
cred.