The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-11-18
THE EXPERTS HAVE AGREED
AN UNANIMOUS REPORT MADn con-
CERNING THE CONDITION OF
The SEAL HERDS.
t~
4 GOOD OUTLOOK FOR ADJUSTMENT
or All Diherenees-The Canadians
Desire That Other Questions De
Embraced md Submitted to
international Commission.

states have participated, came 70 close |
tonight, the seal experts making unnni- |
nous report concerning the condition of |
the seal herds, and the diplomatic repre- |
sentatives of the respective governments
reaching an understanding by which they |
hope at later day to effect final adjust
ment not only of the Bering sea ques-
tion. but of other pending border conuo-
versies. For the present, however. 10
final action was taken as to the, suspen-
sion of pefagic sealing. The Canadians
urged that other questions be embraced
in any plan of settlement and suggested
an international commission to accom-
plish this end. This proposition was
fully discussed and an agreement was
reached that the Canadian officials would
put their views in writing after return
ing to Ottawa and submit them to the
authorities here.
All authorities concerned say that the
outlook is favorable to satisfactory Cd
justment.
The unanimous agreement of the ex-
pcrts brings the governments together for
| the first time ON all the facts relating to
the seals. This agreement was reached
after painstaking comparisons of notes
and the results were announced in an
| official statement of Gen. Foster, is fol-
lows
The delegates to the fur seal confer
| eIce have agreed unanimously on GER
tain propositions touching the fur seal
herds of Bering sea. The report con-
ta;ns sixteen propositions, which axe
briefly epitomized as follows: That the
Pribilof herd has decreased in numbers
from 1884 to 1897; that the number was
formerly three to five times that which
now exists; that the death rate among
pups is great not more than One-nalf to
onc-third surviving to the age of three
years; that the number of breeding fe-
males in 1896 and 1897 was between
100000 to 10000; that the decrease
from 1896 to 1897 was notable, though
its extent could not be definitely deter
mined; that land-killing of males, rs now
practiced, does no harm to the herd; that
| the pelagic sealers respect the limitations
of the law; that pelagic sealing involves
indiscriminate killing; that the catch at
sea contains a marked excess of females;
| that the killing Of males on land is the
cause of this; that among the females
| killed are not only those nursing or preg-
nant, but also many who are immature
| or who have already lost the pups; that
| the fur seal being polygamous, large
number of males may be killed with i'm
punity: that females can not be Killed in
similar numbers without checking the
increase. of the herd or bringing about
an actual decline; that a small number
of females less than the annual incre-
| ment of breeders might be taken without
producing actual decrease; that excessive
pelagic sealing has led to a reduction in
the herd; that pelagic sealing has of
late fallen off in greater ratio than the
herd has, thus producing tendency TO-
ward equilibrium in numbers; that in es-
tinating the future conditions Of the
herd there must be taken into considera-
tion the reductions in the number of sur
yivins pups caused by the pelagic catches
of 1894-95; that the herd is not in danger
of actual determination 80 long rs its
haunts on land are protected and the
protected zone is maintained: hat both
land and sea killing now yield an in
considerable profit either to the lessees Or
to the pelagic sealers themselves"
( The delegates signing the agreement
were as follows:
Charles Sumner Hamlin.. David Starr
Jordan, Darcy Wentworth Thompson
and James Melville Macoun.
Following the agreement Of the ex-
perts the diplomats assembled at the
house Of Gen. Foster to discuss. the
larger question of putting an end 10
pelagic sealing and Of settling other bor-
der controversies. Owing to the con-
tirned illness of Sir Julian Pauncefote,
who is confined to his room, the British
government was represented by The first
secretary of the British embassy, Mr..
Adrms. Sir Wilfred Laurier and Sir
Louis Davies were present in behalf ef
Canada. Gen. Fosters powers bad been
materially enlarged since the coming: of
the Canadian officials, for, as result of
the long and friendly talk between Sir
Wilfred Laurier and Secretary Sher-
man, the latter had written to the Cana
dian premier, stating that the president
had empowered Gen. Foster to treat on
the various border questions which Sir
Wilfred had called to the attention OF
Mr.. Sherman. and, with the cooperation
of the British government, to conclude
treaties covering these subjects. This
gave the meeting broad significance. II
began at p. m. and lasted until Z
o'clock. During these three hours the
entire range of border affairs was dis
cussed.
Ordinarily the purpose of the meeting
was to secure an agreement on 5prlng
sea questions. The Canadians made 1t
clear, however, lIut lHts Wioit'i Hh!
plan of settlement to take broader
scope than the one subject of Bering
sea and to embrace the many sources
Of friction along the border. In this
connection the plan of an international
commission was discussed at great
length. The Canadians felt that the
convention afforded the best means of
-econciling all differences and Of open
'ng the way to reciprocity. The dis
ussion was of the most friendly nature
throughout. and no sharpness. was al
owed to crop out. 1t was felt. how
,ver, that the plan of the commission
vas too large a question for immediate
determination. A final underrtandine
vas reached, therefore. that the Cana |
ian proposition should be reduced to
writing as basis for further negotia,
ions. This closed the conference ana
the oficials said their farewel,s. sx-'