The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-11-17
SEAL ISSUE NOT SETTLED.
ADJUSTMENT IN THE NEAR FUTURE
ALMOST CERTAIN.

Other Pending Border Questions Ex-
pected to he Included in the Final
Agreement-The Canadian Repre-
sentntives Suggest an Interna-
tiOnaI Commission to Accomplish
the End Desired-The Governs
ments Brought Together on AlE
the Facts Relating TO the Seals by
the Unanimous agreement of the
Experts.
Washington, Nov 16.-The Berlng sea
meeting, in which representatives of Great
Britain, Canada and the United Statess
have participated, came to a close to-
night, the several experts making am
unanimous report concerning the condition
of the sea herds and the diplomatic repre-
sentatives of the respective governments
reaching an understanding by which they
hope, at a later day. to effect final ADJUST
ment not only of the Bering sea question.
but of other pending border controversies.
For the present, however, no final action
was taken as TO the suspension of pelagid
sealing. The Canadian representatives
urged that the other questions be embrace
ed in any plan of settlement, and suggest
ed an international commission to accom-
psh this end. This proposition was fully
discussed and an agreement reached that
the Canadian officials would put their
views in writing after returning to Otta-
wa and submit them TO the authorities
here All parties concerned say that the
outlook is favorable to a satisfactory adj
justment,
The unanimous agreement of the ex-
perts brings the governments together for
the first time on all the facts relating to
the seals. This agreement was reached
after panstaking comparison of notes.
Following the agreement of the experts.
the diplomatic officials assembled at ex-
Secretary Fosters house to discuss the
larger question of putting an end to pela-
gle sealing, and Of settling other border
controversies. Owing to the continued ill
ness of Sir Julian Pauncefote, the British
government was represented by the first
secretary of the British embassy, Mr..
Adam. Sir William Laurier and Sir Louis
Davies were present, In behalf of Canada.
Gen. Fosters powers had been MATERIAL
~ enlarged since the coming of the Cana
dian officials. for a result of the long
and friendly talk between Sir Wilfred and
Secretary Sherman, the latter had written
TO the Canadian premier stating that the
President had empowered Gen. Foster to
treat on the various border questions
which Sir Wilfred had called to the at
tention of Mr.. Sherman and, with the CO.
opera tion of the British government, to
conclSde treaties covering these subjects.
This gave the meeting a broad Significance.
1t began at 4 O'Clock, and lasted until z.
During these three hours, the entire range
of border affairs was discussed.
Primarily the purpose of the meeting
was TO secure an agreement on Bering
sea. The Canadians made 1t clear, how
ever, that they wished any plan Of set
tlement to take a broader scope than the
one subject of Bering sea and embrace
the many sources of friction along the bor-
der. In this connection, the plan of an
International commission afforded the best
means of reconciling all differences and
of opening the way to reciprocity.
The discussion was of the most friend
Iy nature throughout and no sharp differ
ences were allowed to crop out 1t was
felt, however, that the plan of a COM
mission was too large a question for i'm
mediate determination. final UNDER
standing was reached, therefore, that the
Canadian proposition should be reduced
TO writing, as a basis for further negotia-
tions This closed the conference and the
officials said their farewells, expressing
satisfaction in the cordial feeling which
had characterized the meetings of the
last ten days.
Sir Wilfred and Sir Louis leaves at 10
o'clock tomorrow morning for Ottawa.