Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-13
SIR WILFRID'S VISIT
Bering Sea Conferences Were Ar
ranged in London.
FHE PREMIER REPRESENTS ENGLAND
Any Treaty Negotiated Must Be
With Great Britain.
PROPOSED COMPROMISES

Sahaoidh oiaclaiS are In washington ne
gotiating with representatives Of the State
department. The fact that treaties can
not be negotiated between Canada and the
United States, but must be with Great
Britain, has caused some confusion and
uncertainty as to what the status is of the
Canadian prime minister and minister OF
marine in this negotiation. and as to how
far these negotiations are official The
fact Is that arrangements for the Bering
sea conference were fully perfected be-
tween Lord Salisbury, Premier Laurier and
Mr.. John w. Foster in London during the
queens jubilee, and Sir Wilfrid Laurier and
Sir Louis Davies come here as duly ac-
credited representatives of Great Britain
to treat upon the Bering sea question
Discussing Reciprocity informally,
Ihey do not come with any authority to
negotiate reciprocity treaty, and they are
discussing this question of reciprocity in
an unofficial capacity, with the view of as
certaining if there is any common ground
upon which the two governments--of Great
Britain and the United States-mav meet
for tie formal negotiation of a treaty. AS
the case Is stated with authority, other
important questions between the two coun-
tries necessarily have bearing upon the
Berlng sea question, or may affect if one
way or the other mere or less directly and
as sensible men, engaged officially in treat
ing on one subject. they are considering
and discussing the whole question of the
relations between Canada ami the United
States. The hope is entertained on both
sides that they will be able to progress so
far in an understanding with reference to
general reciprocity that at the conclusion
of this discussion commission with full
power. will be appointed for the purpose Of
negotiating a treaty
False Report Regarding Fnrrar
dispatch has been sent out from Wash
irgton to a number of the Canadian new
papers representing that Sir Wllfrnl Lau-
rier and Sir Louis Davies are here in sonse-
qLence OF an arrangement made by Edward
farrar. This statement is causing a great
deal of annoyance to those interested lii the
penang negotiations, for the reason tnat it
is calCu!3ted to seriously embarrass the
situation. Mr. Farrar, while man of
prominence and distinguished ability in
Canada, has been associated with the idea
of the annexation of Canada to the Unitei
states Therefore the suggestion that thiS
conference was one of unofficial character,
brought about at his instigation would be
calculated to excite very strong opposition
in Canada to the negotiations and might
destroy their effect.
1t is emphatically denied that Mr. Far
far has anything whatever to 10 with the
meeting here, and it is said hat the story
was probably prompted by political n o.
tiVes, as there Is soon to be an election in
canada The Canadian representatives
laughed at the association of Mr.. Farrar's
name with the conference, and sta ed most
positively that the story was absolutely
without foundation, and coined out Of
whole CLOTH and it was asserted, as stated
above, that the conference vas crranged
for in London during the jubilee. and had
the full sanction of Lord Salisbury.
Reciprocity Conferences.
TIL
Gals and Mr.. Kasson to talk over reci-
procity will probably begin Monday. The
time Of meeting will depend somewhat on
the demands of the Bering sea conference
The reciprocity talk will be one of the sew
eral unofficial discussions. If it discloses
any basis for mutual action, then the sub
ject may assume official phase later
Necessarily, a treaty of reciprocity would
have to be made between the United States
and Great Britain. as this government can
sustain no direct treaty relations with Can
ada. All that the Canadian officials expect
to DO is to take the first step toward subse-
quent official action by the imperial gov
ernment
President Mckinley is favorably disposed
toward the establishment of reciprocity of
trade between the United States and Can
ada. There is serious purpose on the part
OF the administration to negotiate a treaty
and 1t is hoped that the negotiations now
ton is one very difficult to deal with and
for that reason Sir Wifrid Laurier and his
associates approach negotiations with this
government first on the seal question. 1t
is fully understood, however, that a broad
reciprocity treaty is desired on both sides
and that negotiations win tend in that di-
rection as socn as the way is cleared.
Proposed Compromises.
In dealing with the seal question propo-
sition is presented in which this govern
ment is especially interested and with re-
spect to which some consideration Is re-
quested of CaEada The Canadians seek a
relaxation and modification of the alien
contract labor law as not to interfere
with the employment in the United States
OF persons living just over the border in
Canada. They want to stand this propo-
sition off against the concessions sought
for the protection Of the seals. They might
also grant some accommodation with reia-
tion to American miners privileges within
the borders OF British Columbia. If any
thing can be accomplished in this direc-
tfon 1t will open the way to general
trade reciprocity. The Canadians would
undoubtedly make some concessions TO
American fishermen ard agree to general
reciprocity which would give an advantage
OF free entry or greatly reduced duty on
Canadian coal and agricultural products.
1t Is understood that their proposition will
not be confined to natural products where
in they would have the greater benefit, but
that they would make the treaty broad
so as to include manufactures.
The matter has not yet been sufficiently
discussed to fully disclose the ideas on both
sides. but the fact that the President is in
favor of a reciprocity with Canada irdi-
Gates a policy different from that of for
mer administrations Mr.. Mckinley is. of
course fully aware of all that Is involved
in the way of sacrifice OF protection Of GER
tain American products along the Canadian
border, but is known to be of the opinion
that a treaty can be negotiated which will |
be mutually beneficial 20 the two countries
The Canadian Fisherfes
1t Is also stated upon good authority that
the Canadians will ask a counter conces-
sion In the way of guarantee for the
protection of the northern fisheries in re-
turn for any alteration of the sealing
regulations to which they may give their
consent. They take the position that the
fish along the Canadian and New England
coasts are as much the property Of Canada
as are the seals on the Prrbyloff Islands the
property Of the United States. and con-
tend that they have as much right to make
demands for the protection Of the fish
against American fishermen as we have
Dy-