The record-union., 1897-11-06
A New Phase in the Negotiations
Has Developed.
Prospect Of Considering the Subject on
Much Broader Lines.
Sir Wilfred Laurier, Premier Of
Canada, and Sir Louis Davis,
Minister of Marine and Fisher.
les in the Laurier Cabinet, Go.
ing to Washington to Take Part
in the Negotiations.

| WASHINGTON, Nov. GA new
phase of the Behring Sea negotiations
! developed to-day, when the State De-
partment was advised that Sir Wifred
Laurier. Premier of Canada, and Sir
| Louis Davis, Minister of Marine and
| Fisheries in the Laurier Cabinet, would
come here early next week to take part
in the negotiations. The British En-
bassy was not advised, however, and it
| was understood that the British For
eign Office was equally unaware of the
fact that the chief officials of Canada
would come to Washington to treat in
person on the subject.
Up to the this time the British au
thorities had strenuously insisted that
the Behring Sea meeting was to be
confined strictly to an exchange of
technical information between eek
perts'' Lord Salisbury's letter to Sec
retary Sherman carefully limited the
meeting to one of experts, and in
execution of this Professor Thompson
was named as the British expert and
Professor Macoun as the expert of Ca
NADIA
Notwithstanding this strict limitation
adopted at London, the two chief offic-
ials of Canada Will come to Washing
ton prepared to discuss the subject
from a much broader standpoint than
any thus far conceded in London. How
far they will be able to treat concern
ing Behring Sea, reciprocity or other
subjects, is a question of interesting
conjecture The State Department is
much gratified at their coming, as it is
felt to offer the first prospect of con-
stdering the sealing qeustion on broad
! er lines than heretofore.
Sir Wilfred Laurier is regarded as the
head of that element in Canada, favor
able to the moss cordial relations with
the United States. The Liberal par
ty, of which he is the leader, came
into power on the issue of closer COM
mercial relations with the United
States.
Heretofore Sir Wilfred's efforts and
those of his party associates toward Sc
curing reciprocity treaty with the
United States have been unavailing, but
within the last few days the State De-
partment has intimated that 1t would
view with favor negotiations for recip-
rocity between Canada and the United
States.
TREATY NOT YET SIGNED.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 5.-The Russo
Japanese American treaty on the Behr-
ing Sea fisheries question was not sign
ed to-day, the statement being made
bv officials that the formalities were
not vet completed.
When the conference adjourned last
Monday it was with the understanding
that all preliminaries should be ar
ranged by to-day, and the treaty sign
ed But the issuance of powers and
ENJOYS is taking more time than was
anticipated, and the signing has been
deferred, it being stated that it will
occur in a few days.
The meeting between the American
and British experts looks more promis-
ing. The State Department is expect
ing Sir Wilfred Laurier and Mr.. Davis,
Minister of Marine in Laurier's Cabi-
net, the early part of next week. With
them will come Professor Macoun, the
seal expert designated by the British
Foreign Office, to confer with the -
thorities here. Although Professor Ma
coun Will hold the only credentials as
delegate, yet the presence of the Ca
madam Premier and a member of his
Cabinet is expected to have an impor-
tant bearing on the ben1lflS sea QueS-
ton as we'll as that of commercial reci-
procity between the United States and
Canada.
CANADIANS DISSATISFIED.
OTTAWA (Ont), Nov. 5.-The off,
Gals Of the Fisheries Department here
are discontented over the actions of
Professor Thompson, the English seal
expert. Great fears are entertained
that in connection with the recent con-
ference he may have committed Great
Britain to the line of policy quite an
tagonistic to Canada's interests. A.
Minister expresses fears that the Eng
lish expert has fallen a victim to the
wifes of American politicians