Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-10-14
F[0PPinG TOGETHER.
John Bull and Uncle Sam in the
the Matter of the Preserva.
ton ofthe Seal Herds.
COMMENT ON SHERMANS LATEST

BY Some OF the London Editors-Foreign
Office Surprised as the SecretaYy's As
acknowledgement That Something
Must he Done to Prevent determination
Mrs. Langtry's Horse Wins Her q Fort
une at Newmarket.
London. Oct. 14.-The officials Of the
British foreign Office reiterated that the
Marquis of Salisbury agreed to Join in
conference of sealing experts repre-
senting the United States, Canada and
Great Britain. but they add that he did
not agree to take part in conference on
the subject with Russia and Japan. The
foreign officials will be unable to say
what the British government is prepared
TO DO until Secretary Sherman's latest
dispatch on the conference is received.
The foreign office officials appeared to
be astonished at what they termed tho
tone of surprise assumed by Secretary
Sherman IL his reply TO the note OF the
Marquis of Salisbury expressing Greet
Britatn's declinati ton TO be represented in
the conference with Russia and japan.
as briefly outlined in the dispatches from
New York.
Allows for Our "Peculiarities."
The Times says: Allowing for
the peculiarities Of American d.
plomacy there Is no reason 10
quarrel with Secretary Sherman's re-
ply or the subject of the Behring sea
conference. We entirely disbeleve that
Lord Salisbury in his oral communica-
lions with Ambassador Hay ever de-
parted from the position adopted iE his
final note OF July %. But 1t fs unneces-
sary to deal seriously with expressions
OK establishment obviously intended to
cover the failure Of an attempt to bluff
the British government in a manner dig
approved by the leading organsof Amer
lean opinion. When we have settled our
relations with the United States on the
basis Of the Paris award it may be prac-
ticable to establish wider agreement
for the protection Of seal life by land as
well as sea. But meantime a much mora
urgent matter that Saturdays cabinet
council will have to deal with is the re-
ply to the Wolcott commission"
just What We've Been a-Sayine.
The Daily News says: TT is not de-
MED by the British experts that unless
something is done the fur seals will be
extefminated, though probably they
would fix the Gate OF extinction farther
In the future than the American experts,
England has a greater interest in avert
ing such result than America has
Something must be DONE What that
something may be. however, is a uues-
tfon for governments and not experts to
decide. 1t Is probable that settlement
may be arrived at by compensating the
Canadian sea!ers in a lump sum for
abandonment OF their rights under the
Paris award. There Is reason to believe
that Washiagton is not indispoeed to en-
tertain this Once this principle is aS-
nitted IT il not likely that there would
be any difficulty in fixing the amount Of
compensatiohs and II this vested interest
were cleared away there would be no
difficulty In arranging with the United
States for, say. five years close time on
both land and sea.
Hopes for Improved Reiatfons.
"A few thousand seals would Of
course. be killed annually to supply the
Indians with food. But the immense
slaughter for the sake Of skins would
cease until 1903. We should not be sur
prised II Lord Salisbury instructed Sir
Julian Pauncefote on his return to
washington to negotiate on such a
basis" The Standard says: I'VE hope
that the withdrawal of Secretary Sher-
mans demand augurs favorably, and
that the coming conference will improve
instead OF embitter the relations be-
tween ENGLAND apA tina yy,;%,,a c<o&.>v