Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-15
Crisis in the Negotiations Of the Seal
Experts.
The DIPLOMATIC CONVENTIONS
The Proposition of the American
Representatives.
RES ULT UNCE r ia N

When the Bering meeting began at
the State Department today, the delegates
stated that there was every reason to be-
heve the final stage would be reached dur
ing the afternoon The experts. after pro-
tracted sessions. were ready to report on
all the technical features of seal life, and
it was understood that they had reached
common ground of understanding. and
would sign a joint report. With this in
hand, the diplomats planned to devote this
afternoon to considering the larger phase
of the question, that of reaching joint
agreement between the United States and
Great Britain for the cessation of pelagic
scaling. This last feature Is felt to be the
vital issue of the negotiations. on which
hinges rot only a settlement of the Bering
sea question, but also those of reciprocity,
border, immigration and all the questions
pending between the United States and
Canada
The Diplomatic Contention.
From reliable quarters it was learned
that the diplomatic contention had already
taken definite shape. 1t is understood that
the proposition Of the American representa-
tives involves two features; first that Cana
da, through the imperial authorities, shall
consent to the stoppage of pelagic sealing
Tor one year; and, second, that negotiations
snail be opened for a suspension of sealing
beyond the term of one year. On the other
hand, 1t is understood that the Canadian
orhc1als do not regard this proposition with
favor. They have taken the ground. it is
SAID, that they would be glad to reach any-
basis OF settlement, by compromise or fair
concession, but they view this proposition
as one for absolute surrender on their part
From their standpoint an agreement to
stop sealing for one year, and then to ne
gotiate for stopping it for a longer period,
would not involve any give and take con-
cesslons- as they would be called on to give,
without any definite prospect of receiving
benefit for benefit
Whether this will develop n critical issue
when the diplomats get together cannot be
foretold- They are naturally very insist
ent IN their respective contentious as the
maj stage Is approaching, but this is in
part attributed to diplomatic maneuvering
for position.
Both Sides Hopeful
Both sides are earnestly hopeful of a
favorable solution. From the American
Standpoint the failure of the negotia tions
would affect not only the sealing question
between Great Britain, Canada and the
United States, but also would complicate
the recent arrangement between Russia.
Japan and the United States, the entire
theory of that treaty being that Great
Britain and Canada would cooperate in A
limitation of pelagic sealing. From the
Canadian standpoint there is equal anxiety
To avoid failure of the ne,otiatiors as
that would affect not only their Bering sea
interests. but also reciprocity, border immi-
eratlon ana the many subjects on which
they hope to secure an adjustment At the
same time one of those participating in
the meeting regretfully expressed the fear
today that the negotiations would :ail.
adding, however, that he sincerely hoped
his fears would not be realized by the final
issue Of the meeting.