The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-11-19

TO eETTLEME>T OF DISPUTES
WITH CANADA

u GAP0rt0 O08ula0OQ0 IN their K0O0Sf8
as to Condition of the ss~l H~rds-Csna
da's Proposition for . Continuation to set+t
tie all Other Matter. in D,spute-Meete
Ing Of Diplomatic Officials nj House Oh
CommissiOner ter-Ian to Make
PrOp'si'iOn in Writing =
Washington: November 1.-THE Behr-
ing sea meeting in which representa-,
tives Of Great Britain. Canada and the
United States have participated, came
to a close tonight. the seal experts
making a unanimous report concerning
the condition Of the seal herds, and the
diplomatic representatives OF the re-
spective governments reaching an un-
Outstanding by which they hope at a
later day to effect final adjustment. not
only of the Behring sea question, but
Of other pending border controversies.
Fol the present, however, no final ac-
pelagic sealing. -
The Canadians urged hat tie other
questions be embraced in any plan Of
settlement, and suggested an interna-
tional commission to accomplish this
end. This proposition was fully dis
cussed and an agreement reached that
the Canadian officials would put their
views in writing after returning to OF
tawa and submit them to the authori-
ties here. All parties concerned say
that the outlook Is favorable to a sat-
isfactory adjustment.
The unanimous agreement Of the ex-
perts brings HI governments together
for the first time on all the acts relat-
ing to the seals. This agreement was
reached after pains-taking comparison
Of notes.
Following the agreement OF the ex-
perts, the diplomatic officials assembled
at ex-Secretary Fosters house to dis
cuss the larger question Of putting an
end to pelagic sealing and Of settling
other border controversies. Owing to
the continued illness of Sir Julian
Paunceforte, the British government
was represented by the first secretary
Of the British embassy, Mr.. Adam. Sir
Wilfred Laurier and Sir Louis Davies
were present, in behalf of Canada. Gen.
eral Fosters powers a been material
ly enlarged since the coming of the
Canadian officials, for as a result Of
the long and friendly talk between Sir
Wilfred and Secretary Sherman, the
latter had written to the Canadian pre-
mier stating that the president had
empowered General Foster to treat on
the various questions which Sir Wnfrid
had called to the attention of Mr.. Sher-
nan and, with the cooperation Of the
British government, to conclude
treaties covering these subjects. This
gave the meeting a broad significance.
It be began at 4 o'clock p. m, and
laster until Z o'clock. During these
| three hours the entire range Of border
| affairs was discussed.
Primarily, the purpose of the meet
ing was to secure an agreement on the
! Behring sea. The Canadians made it
| clear, however, that they wished any
| plan Of settlement to take a broader
scope than the one subject OF Behring
| sea and to embrace the many sources
of friction along the border. In this
connection the plan Of an international
|. commission afforded the best means OF
reconciling all differences and OF open
ing the way to reciprocity. The dis
cussion was Of the most friendly nature
: throughout and no sharp differences
were allowed to crop out. It was felt.
however, that the plan of a commits
sion was too large a question for imme-
date determination.
A final understanding was reached
therefore, that the Canadian PROPOSE
ton should be reduced to writing, as a
basis for further negotiations. This
closed the conference n the officials
said their farewelEs. expressing salts
faction in the cordial feeling which had
characterized the meetings OF the last
ten days.
Sir Wilfred and Sir Louis leave at 1C
o'clock tomorrow morning for Ottawa,