The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-11-17
OUTLOOK IS FAVORABLE
The Seal Experts Agree on q
a Unanimous Report.
THE HERD HAS DECREASED
Diplomats Discuss the Possibility OF Put
ting an End 10 Pelagic Sealing The
Various Border Questions VIII
Now Be Considered.

sea meeting. In which representatives
~ Great Britain. Canada unl The
United States have participated, came
t. close Tonight, the sal experts
making a unanimous report concerning
the condition of the seal herds and the
diplomatic representatives OF the re-
spective governments reached an un-
dcrsianding boy when they hope at a
later day 10 effect hnal adjustment.
not only OF the Boring sea question.
hut of other pending border cuntrover-
sizes. For the present. however no final
action was taken as To the suspension
OF pelagic scaling. The Canadians
urged that other questions be embraced
in any plan OF settlement. and sug-
gested an International commission to
accomplish this end. This proposition
Was fully discussed. and an agreement
reached that the commission officials
would put their views In writing after
returning 10 Ottawa and submit them
Ia the authorities here. All parties
concerned say that the outlook is ia
yorable to "A satisfactory adjustment.
The unanimous agreement OF the ex-
perts brings the governments together
for the first time on all the facts relat-
ing to the seals. This agreement was
reached after painstakins comparison
nounced In an official statement by
General Foster. as follows:
The delegates to the fur seal con-
ference have agreed unanimously on
certain propositions touching the fur
seal herds of Berlng seq. The report
contains IL propositions. which are
briefly epitomizcd as follows. That the
Pribyloff herd has declined In numbers
from 1884 10 1897. that the number was
formerly three la fiye times that which
now exist; that the death rate among
pups is great not more than one-haif
to one-third surviving To the age of
years: that the number Of breeding
females In 1896 and lS9s was between
100000 to 10000, that the decrease from
1896 To 1885, was noticeable. though It's
extent could not be definitely deter
mined; that land killing OF males. as
now practiced. does no harm to the
herds: that the pelagic scalers respect
the limitations ~ the law. that the
pelagic sealing involves indisoriminate
killing; that the catch at sea contains
n marked excess Of females. that the
killing OF males on land is the cause
of that: that among the females killed
are not only those both nurs-
ing and pregnant. but also many who
are immature or who have already lost
their pups; that the fur seal. being
polygamous, a large number VI males
may be killed with IMMUNITY; that fe-
males cannot be killed in similar num-
beers without checking the increase of
the herd. ar bringing about AN actual
decline. that as "A number of females.
less than the usual increase. remnant
OF breeders might be taken without
producing actual decrease; that exces-
sive pelagic scaling has he'd 10 "A re-
duction In the herds; that pelagic seal
ing has Of late fallen on In greater
ratio than the herd has. thes producing
n tendency toward equilibrium In num-
beers: that in estimating the future con-
ditions of the herd must be taken in
consideration reductions OF the number
Of surviving pups caused by the pelagic
catches of lsst-iSg5, that the herd Is
not In danger of actual determination
80 long as It's haunts on land are pro-
tected. aud the protected zone is mann
tained. that both land and sea killing
now yield an inconsiderable proft
either to the lrssccs or to IN. pelagic
scalers themselves"
The delegates signing the agreement
are as follows; Charles Sumner Ham,
lin. David Starr Jordan, Darcy Went
worth Thompson. James Melville Ma
coun.
Following the agreement OF the ex-
pcrts the diplomatic officials assembled
at General Fosters house To discuss
the larger question OF putting AN end
10 pelsgic sealing and OF settling other
border controversies. Owing 10 the
continued illness Of Sir Julian Paunce-
fote, who Is confined 10 his room the
British government was represented by
the first secretary OF the British em-
bassy, Mr.. Adams. Sir Wilfred Laur-
ier and Sir Louis Davies were present
In behalf Of Canada. General Fosters
power has been materially enlarged
since the coming of the Canadian oili-
cials. for as "A result OF the long and
friendly talk between STR Wilfred and
Secretary sherman. the latter had
written 10 the Canadian premier. stat
iuE that tine president had empowered
General Foster TO treat ON the various
border questions which SIT Wllfrvd
had called ~ the attention OF Mr.. ShrF-
man. and with TN" cooperation II the
British government to conclude treaties
covering these subjects.
This gave the meeting a broad sig
nincancr. n began az O'Clock =. m.
and lasted until = During thrse three
hours the entire range of border affairs
WAS discussed. Primarily, the purpose
of the meeting was O. secure an agree
prnt on the Bering srl question. The
Canadians made clear, however, that
they wished any plan NJ settlement TO
take a broader scope than the one sub
jcCt ot Bering sea-. and 10 embrace tho
many sources of friction along the hor-
der. In this connection the plan " an
international commission was dis
cusscd at great length. The Canadians
felt that the commission afforded the
best means II rpconclliating all differ
ences. aud of opening the way to reci-
prpeity.
The discussion was of the most
friendly nature throughout and no
sharp differences We're allowed % crop
out. II was felt. however. that the
plan uf 4 commission was too large A
question for immediate determination.
\ iinal understanding was reached.
therefore. that the Canadian PROPOSE
tons SHOULD be reduced tp writing, as a
basis for further negotiations. This
i..-..l lttN .tflt.sIsI L.