The herald., 1897-11-09
Going to Washington to Do
Business
PELAGIc SEALING MATTERS
NOT THE ONLY OBJECT OF THE
CONFERENCE
All the Causes Of Friction Between
the Nations to Be Considered
and Removed

| Associated Press Special Wire.
| WASHINGTON, Nov S.-The author
tiles here have been advised that the ar
rival tomorrow of Sir Wilfrid Laurier,
premier of Canada Sir Louis Davies,
minister of marine in the Laurier cabi-
net, and other officials of the Dominion,
b to have an important bearing not only
on the Bering sea settlement, but on all
the pending questions which have been
sources Of international complication
between the United States and Canada.
namely, the passage Of alien labor laws
to and from Canada; the North Atlantic
fisheries question; the presence of many
Americans in the Klondike territory be-
longing to Canada, and in the mining re-
gions of British Columbia; the fisheries
trouble along the great lakes; the bond
ing privilege granted Canadian rail-
roads; the controversy over rights in
the Fraser river, British Columbia, and
in Puget sound, and also the question of
a reciprocity arrangement between the
United States and Canada.
There is direct and definite informa-
tion that Sir Wilfrid comes prepared
| to take up all these questions, and, II
possible. include them in one general
settlement, whereby the constant fric-
tion they have engendered may be
overcome.
| In the matter of reciprocity, the gen.
eral purpose Of the negotiations will be
to give the United States the benefit Of
| the minimum clause of the present
Canadian law in exchange for the 20
per cent reduction allowed under the
Dingley law. The desire Of Sir Wilfrid
and his associates will be to confine the
arrangement to q few important ar
ticles, allowing time to develop it's use
fulness and extend its scope.
On the part of Canada, the articles
likely to be proposed for reciprocity are
fish, coal, lumber and barley. On the
part of the United States the articles
likely to figure are coal, oil, corn, rail-
way and electrical supplies, machinery
of all kinds, agricultural implements,
native woods, watches, clocks, cotton
and certain forms of iron and steel. The
Canadian law permits one-eighth re-
duction of duties this year and one
fourth reduction next year, to such
countries as give advantages to Canada.
At present British goods get this reduc-
ton, while American goods do not.
The North American fisheries con-
| troversy is of long duration. 1t took q
menacing aspect some years ago, and at
that time fisheries commission con-
| vened at Washington and made modus
vivendi serving as temporary settle
ment. The modus Is still in operation.
and under it American vessels must pay
license to thhe Canadians for the
privilege of trans-shipping at Canadian
ports, taking bait, etc. The license
system has proved to be hardships, and
| efforts will be made to reach a more
satisfactory system. 1t has been made
known to the officials here that the
Canadian premier comes to Washington
desiorus of adopting plan proposed by
Mr.. Blaine, that of Jumping the contro-
versies into one general settlement, the
details to be settled by a commission
representing both countries. Sir Will
frid has long been the advocate of the
most conciliatory and friendly relations
with the United States. He and his
party are expected to arrive in New
| York tonight. Some of the premier's
| closest friends were at the state depart
ment today, arranging for his visit. and
indicating the foregoing broad scope Of
the questions desired to be brought for
ward.