The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-09-26
A DECIDED SENSATION.
Great Britain Mill Not Participate
10 the Sealing Conference
WITH RUSSIA AND JAPAN PARTIES
Unexpected Action Taken by the
Marquis of Salisbury.
NO REPLY TO Mr.. SHERMAN.
Sir Julian Pauncefotc Has Delayed
His Departure So ms to Arrive Az
ter Date for Convention.

London, September 25.--A decided sem
| sation has been caused in diplomatic cir
cles here by Great Britain's notification to
the United States that she can not rart.ti-
pate in the scaling conference vt Wash ng-
ton If Russia and japan take part 'n 1t.
The officials Of the British foreign office
decline to give the reasons for this change
of policy, but they admitted that The Mar
quis of Salisbury had notified tie United
States ambassador, Colonial John Hay, Of
his decision in this matter. though the
premier's decision Is not absolute. The &C.
ton of the Marquis Of Salisbury is all the
more surprising in view of he fact that he
accepted for Great Britain the invitation
TO take part in the conference with the
full knowledge that Russia and Japan were
that the Canadian government requested
the withdrawal OF Great Britain from the
sealing conference and the government Tn
willingly acceded to this request in accord
ance with its policy OF cultivating the
friendship OF the colonies, even al The risk
Of offending other powers concerned. 1t is
thought in diplomatic circles that Can
ada's action in the premises was influenced
by the fear that Great Britain would be
outvoted by the United States. Russa and
Japan, whose views towards the protection
of seals are somewhat similar.
Great Britain has not notified Russia and
Jap1n of her determination not to take part
in the conference and the United states
was notified so the cther governments
could change their arrangements Inquiries
made at the Russian embassy showed that
the officials we're greatly surprised Mt the
withdrawal and were disposed not to be-
leve the news when 1t was conveyed to
them by representative OF the Associated
Press They said the British foreign Office
in the discussion OF the arrangement for
the conference had never even intimated
that dissatisfaction was experienced at
Russia's participation In the conference.
| Apparently, the Russian officials add, Great
| Britain realized the impossibilty OF Rus
STA and Japan Withdrawing from the con-
| ference and leaving O. clear field for Great
Britain and the United States
The departure OF Sir Julian Pauncefote
the British ambassador to the United
States and one of Great Britain's repre-
| sentatives at the sealing conference. has
| been postponed until October 26, which
would make him arrive in the United States
too late to take part in the sealing delib-
eratiops. Summing the matter up, 1t seems
evident that Great Britain has decided to
withdraw from further discussion OF the
sealing question. She has not replied 10
Secretary Sherman's dispatch on he sub
make an answer to 1t.
The note OF the secretary OF state Tor
the colonies Mr.. Joseph Chamberlain, to
the Marquis OF Salisbury, giving the Brit
ish contentious has net been communicated
TO the United States. as 1t was merely a
domestic public document intended to pres
ent the British arguments to the public,
without continuing the debate with the
United States 1t was only on Wednesday
last that the Marquis Of Salisbury notified
the United States ambassador that Great
Britain can not take part In inc sealing
conference II Russia and japan participate
in 1t.
washington. September 25.-Ex-Secre
tary John w. Foster, counsel for the
United States In the Boring sea negotia-
tions with Great Britain, said tonight with
reference TO today's cablegrams from Lon
don on the subject that this government
f,ld received no information either from
the British embassy here or from Ambass;l.
dor Hay that England had decided i.ct e
ioin In the Washington conference or wa
1 likely TO do so. Further than this Mr.
Foster declined TO make any statement To-
publication. -
NAVAL MANEUvERs.
II IA In 10