The San Francisco call., 1897-11-12
Figures in Reference to the
Seasons Catch Show a
Rapid Decrease.
LAURlER CONFERS WITH
SHERMAN.
They Are in Accord in the Discus
SION CT Matters Affecting Canada
and the United States.
Special Dispatch to The CALL
CALL OFFICE. RIGGS HOUSE. !
WASHINGTON Nov. IL. (


WASHINGTON, Nov. IL. (
The sealing conference began at II
O'Clock to-day with a full representation
OF the British, Canadian and American
officials For The first time the statistics
OF the catch of seals of the present year
were available. These were compiled by
the American officials, and they brought
out prominently two features regarded as
most important in supporting the Ameri-
can contention, namely, that the catch
had fallen off about one half during the
present season, showing cOncluslvely, in
the opinion of the American Representa-
tiyes, that the seal herds were being
rapidly wiped out; and. second, that the
catch of seals from he American islands
in Bering Sea was about l5 TO l as between
the Canadian sealers under the British
flag and American sealers. The same
proportion was shown to exist throughout
the waters OF the North Pacific.
q In detail the figures for this seasons
catch, now made available for the first
time, are as follows:
Total catch Of seals in the North Pacific
for The present season. s. 700, as against
73 COO Cor last year. The total catch this
wear is divided as follows: Taken by
British v.ssels. 80, 500; by American yes
sells, AGO; by Japanese vessels, $500. The
catch in Behring Sea, which is the portion
of The North Pacific IN which the United
States is interested, is Is $50 for the pres
ent season, as against 20 500 for last sea-
soma reduction of about one-half. OF
the catch in the Bering Sea, British ves-
sells took 16 500 and Anne rican vessels 1850.
The figures make no distinction between
British and Canadian vesse els, as practi-
CaiIy ali the sealing is done by Canadian
vessels, which. however, are nominally
c!assed as British.
The falling off of about half in the
total catch both in Bering Sea and the
North Pacific is said to be most sig
nihcanU unuer the circumstances. The
present season is a better one, the experts
say. for taking seals Than last season.
The same regulations apply this season as
last Under these circumstances IL Is sa d
that 1.-THE conclusion 10 be drawn from this
years figures is that the seal herd has
been reduced by indisCriminate slaughter
at the alarming rate OF about one half
during the last year.
In this connection it should be stated
that Secretary Sherman and Sir Wilfrid
Lanrier this afternoon began the first of &
formal series OF conferences for the pur-
pose of bringing al bout an agreement by
which as mary as possible of the ques- :
uons now causing friction bel lween the
[ ni;ed States and the Dominion of Can
ada may bs amicably settled by treaty or
otherwise. These conferences will be in =
dependen. of the Bering Sea seal fisheries
conference, which was the immediate oc-
c4sion for the Canadian Premier's present
visit to Washington.
Among the causes OF friction between
the two countries is the question of the
rights of citizens of either country to pur-
sue business callings in the territory Of
the other and the tariff question.
The conference this afternoon was
brought about by note which Secretary
Sherman this morning sent to Sir WnfrId
Laurier, asking him If it would be conve-
nlent to the latter TO meet the Secretary
this afternoon. The Canadian Premier
responded in the affirmative. The con-
terencs accordingly began at 1870 ?. NJ. in
the State apartment.
Mr.. Sherman and Sia Wilfrid we're to-
gether for two hours. 1t can be stated on
authority that the discussian was devoted
to the consideration of the many i'm por-
tant questions affecting the general Tela-
tions between the United States ahd
Canads. In such a discussion the Secre-
tBry of State and the Canadian Premier
found themselves in much accord Mr.
Sherman has long favored t. e most cor
dial relations between the United States
and Canada, having been, while in the
Senate, author of several resolutions III
that direction. Sir Wilfrid has been the
conspicuous exponent of the same view in
Canada. 1t was realiZ3d on both sides
however, that the discussion now opened
was not one which could bring immediate
results, as many of the border con-
troversles are OF long standing and manv
practical difficulties were in the way of
settlement. The purpose, however, was
10 approach the general subject in a spirit
of friendliness and allow this to develop
ways and means Tor dealing vi the nu-
merous questions relating 10 both coun-
tries, namely, border immirratioA, re-
ciprocity, fisheries rights, the railway
bonding prIvl ge, etc.
In view OF cab.e reports from London
stating that Mr.. Cham bera.n, Secretary
OF ate for the Colonies IN th- Salisbury
Governor General of Canada, strong dis
Laurier looking 10 placing the United
States on the same basis as Great Britain
in tariff affairs, the matter was called to
The attention of Canadian officials. In
response, an authoritative statement was
made that no such dIsapproval had been
expressed by the imperial authorities and
that Lord Aberdeen had received no mott
fication from Mr. Chamberlain or other
authority, as his Lordship was wit mem.
Der, of the Laurier party up to the time
they left Ottawa, and no mention was
made of any such disapprobration from
nperial quarters.
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