The record-union., 1897-10-08
Relative 10 the Position Of Great Britain on
the Proposed Conference.
A Sharp Note VIII be Sent the
British Government Making
Clear the Embarrassment She
Has Caused the United States
by Her Refusal to Participate
With Russia and Japan in the
Conference.

Department has received full mforIna-
ton as to the position of the British
Government on the proposed Behrlng
Sea conference. This proves TO be
much more complete than the brief
cable reports from London indicate, as
the department has been advised not
only of Great Britain's declination to
enter a conference unless it is limited
to the experts of the United States,
Great Britain and Canada, but also has
been informed quite fully as to what
led the Marquis of Salisbury to this
conclusion.
The British view, as laid before the
State Department, is that ait no stage
of the negotiations has their Govern
ment agreed to a conference, except
that between the experts of Great Brit
ain, Canada and the United States. 1t
is not questioned that Secretary Sher-
man and ambassador Hay made sug-
gestions that the conference should be
between 1.-The powers interested" and
that some of the notes from the United
States authorities expressed desire to
have Russia and Japan take part in
the conference. But it is pointed out
that these suggestions came from the
United States, and until accepted would
have no effect in determining the ma
ture of the conference. So far as the
suggestions were accepted, the note of
Lord Salisbury on July 2Sth is said
TO stand alone, and this note, it is
stated, mentioned only a conference be-
tween the experts of the United States,
Great Britain and Canada.
The latest correspondence on the sub
ject leads to considerable doubt as to
who will participate in the coming
meeting 1t has been understood that
the difference would be bridged over
by holding two meetings, in one Of
which Russia and Japan would partici-
pate without Great Britain while a
second meeting would be held between
the experts OF Great Britain and the
United States. 1t is understood that
ambassador Hay wars directed to effect
such an arrangement in case Great
Britain declined to enter the general
conference.
There is now some question whether
the British authorities will participate
in any way until a definite understand
ing is reached as to who will take
part, as there is understood to be a
reluctance on the part of the British
to join in a dual conference, and some
doubt whether the British experts will
leave for this country to attend either
a general Or limited conference, until
an understanding is reached in the en-
tire subject. AS the conference is so
near at hand, the plan having been to
hold it on October 23d, negotiations are
necessarily conducted by cable, and by
this means a satisfactory adjustment
may yet be reached.
NOTE TO BE SENT ENGLAND.
WASHINGTON, Oct. THE Admin
iStration purposes ito make clear to
Great Britain the embarrassment she
has caused this Government by her re-
fusal to participate with Russia and
Japan in the proposed sealing confer
ence.
A note is now in course of prepara-
tion at the State Department which
will deprecate the withdrawal of the
British Government at such late hour
and call attention to the fact that the
communication of May 10th, which Sec
retary Sherman addressed to Lord
Salisbury announced that Russia and
Japan would be invited to take part in
the CT inference. The British Govern
ment has no reasonable ground at this
time for refusing to participate when
she had already accepted an invitation
to take part knowing that Russia and
Japan would be represented in the con-
ference.
1t Is also understood that the Admin
1strat1on would yield to the inevitable
and ask Great Britain to send represen-
tativeS to meet those of the United
States.
There is no intention, however. to
abandon the proposed conference with
the representatives of Russia and Ja-
pan. These gentlemen will reach the
United States in a few DAYS. The lat
ter conference will be held. it is
thought, after representatives of the
United States and Great Britain have
had meeting and reached a. concIu-
sion, and the delegates of Russia and
Japan will then be asked to ratify the
action of the Anglo American confer
ence
The determination to send the note
above referred to followed the recent
of an official announcement from EN-
bassador Hay to the effect that Great
Britain had refused to take part in the
conference. in view of the representa-
Sion therein which Russia and Japan
would have. The real reason behind
Great Britain's withdrawal is traced by
the officials TO Canadian interests in
the sealing industry, and the fear of
the British and Canadian authorities
that the United States, Russia and Ja-
/ pan, being m the majority viii outvote
her representatives on all important
matters which may be considered.