New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-10-08

classes In England hope will he followed by the
other colonies. Meanwhile. nothing must be
done that will offend Canada. She must be
petted and singled on. for exceptional favors.
She has behind her tremendous force Of Eng
lish opinion. and must bo allowed to have her
own way in the fisheries negotiations. Lord
Salisbury Is undoubtedly influenced by Mr..
Chamberlain In matters Of imperial policy and
has been strongly advised TO follow Canadas
lead in the Bearing Sea controversy. He knows
that public opinion will be behind him. If he
respects the preferences and even the caprices
Of the Ottawa Government.
Moreover, Lord Salisbury IS believed to he
sensitive 10 the charge that the United States
Government conlpels him by bullying ways
10 make concessions on one question AFTER al
ether Many English journals have accuseu
him OF surrendering to the Washington "oNo'"
rnent after Mr.. Clevelands Venezuela hss'"s4'
and ne has constantly been warned ny 'ii0 f'N'
that he must not BE too ready 10 acq"'e''e 81
American pronosals after the emphatic manner
in which the State Department preSe,''u 'He
Behrine Sea case last spring He has peeh en-
abed during the last fortnight 10 reass"ie MS
rrci,sh critics on this point. His acceptance
~ tho American proposals was not uAcondl-
t,onaI He prudently left q bridge open FOR re-
,reat tIe has not been quilted nor irtim-
dated nv menaces from washington nor en-
framed by Yankee sharp practice into an
abandonment of Canadian rights" He has re-
served for himself the liberty Of action. and
can decline to enter the conference withou. hav-
ing his good faith called in question
Since this point Of honor. whatever may be
its intrinsic value. has been established, 1t is
TO be hoped that some arrangement Will speed
fly be effected by which the sealing conference
o;,I,. hi,,c, has hoo Iona
in recent negotiations to conciliate both Canada
and ENGLAND and 10 enable them to enter the
conference with dignity and good feeling. When
the next Blue Book is published IL will probably
be apparent even 10 the most unreasonable Eng
lsh critic that the State Department with con-
summate tact has opened the way for an inter
national conference by emphasizing its purely
consultative functions Mr.. Hay certainly can
be depended upon 10 do everything in his power
TO bring about an agreement which will enable
all the maritime Powers interested in the preser-
walton Of the seal herd 10 take part in scien-
tific investigation. II the conference shall he
held. every Government represented in II VIII
remain at liberty TO act upon the conclusions
Of the experts. The United States and Great
Britain will be in a favorable position for revis-
ing the sealing regulations in a scientific spirit
next year as was contemplated under the Paris
award
English criticism OF the proposed international
conference as an afterthough, Of American
diplomacy and a treacherous Yankee trap is en-
tirely groundless. Not a word Of il would have
been heard or written II the Blue Book had CON
tanned Mr.. Hays letter of July % with the
distinct reminder that Russia and Japan would
be invited TO the conference. Equally unfair. il
seems 70 me- is American criticism II Lord Sails
bury for bad faith in accepting an invitation
and then threatening 70 decline II and 10 break
up the conference. He did not accept the invi-
iation in the precise form in which il was pre-
scented, but revised 1t. as TO enable MIN 10 ad-
just il TO Canadian wishes and susceptibilities.
1t is the mputation Of foul play that makes
mischief in the relations Of nations. whether it
is Lord Dunraver who complains of being
cheated in a yacht race. or whether It is Lord
Salisbury who is charged with treacherously
breaking I'D a conference after consentinG 20 il.
In this instance there has been no unfair play
Lord Salisbury has simply left himself at liberty
10 withdraw from the conference II Canada in
sists upon staying OUT and not taking counsel
with Russia and Japan. Under existing condi-
tons of English opinion toward Canada, it would
have been most njudicous for him 70 have taken
any other course.
But in the end rational view Of the confer
ence can hardly fail 10 prevail. if only the foolish
outcreS over american puiIEIhs anu Pii''9'
foul play" can be sIenced on each side OF the
sea II is for the mutual interests Of Canada
England and the United States that the seal
fisheries OF the North Pacific should be preserved
and not destroyed, they have been In the
South Pacific: and the proposed conference Is
commemorative scheme for obtaining all the sci
entifc information to be had and for an eN-
change Of views and expert opinions amorg all
the maritime nations directly interested in this
fishing industry The conclusions Of the confer
ence will have no binding force upon either
England or Canada Future negotiations will
be conducted more intelligently in consequence
Of its deliberations. and the problem Of revising
the existing regulations will be approached an
other year in friender and more impartial
eDirit /. y. F.