The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-10-29
SEAL CoNFEREEs AGREE.
4 Proposition Under Discussion to
Prohibit pelagic Sealing.

WASHINGTON. Oct. Pin reliable
quarters Ii is stated that the conference
between Russia, Japan and the United
States now proceeding here. IN reference
20 sealing in the Boring sea and the North
Pacific has advanced TO an important stage
and that proposition has been reduced 10
writing which. II accepted. VIII bring
about a complete change in the sealing
question. The proposition IL said TO De ac-
ceptable 10 the United States. It Is IN
derstood to be acceptable similarly TO the
Russian delegates now here but in view OF
the restrictions placed upon them by their
credentials Il has been thought desirable
70 cable TO St. Petersburg for final lnstruc-
tons.
The greatest secrecy IS preserved IN all
officials quarters as 10 the nature Of the
proposition and Il f. not officially admit
ted that any proposition has been made.
From equally reliable sources il is under
stood that the proposition has a far-reach-
ing scope and provides for the material
limitation or entire suspension Of pelagic
sealing. or sealing on the high sea Such
4 decisive step II agreed to by Russia, ia
pan and the United States. would not. II Is
understood. involve any concerted move to
menace the claims OF Great Britain and
Canada TO the right OF pelagtc sealing on
the high seas but would rather be a propo-
sition expressive of the conclusions OF the
three most interested powers that IN the In
terests Of humanity and the preservation
OF the seal herds OF their respective gov
eruments all nations. including Great Brit
ain and her colony, Canada. should unite
with Russia. the United states and Japan
in such effective prevention Of pelagic seal
ing or the high SEAS as VIII put an end TO
e and thereby secure the preservation OF
the seals.
The deliberations Of the conferees lead
ing up To the proposition were productive
Of numerous interesting ana important
features. But little had been known OF
this modus until the conference met. Tn
der II a zone Of neutral water was estab
llshed thirty Ave miles surrounding the
Russian islands within which Great Brit
ain agreed 20 suspend peiaglc sealing.
While this was OF material advantage T.
Russia. yet x was felt hat any proposit.cn
for the entire suspension Of pei gi> seal
Ing. even beyond thirty miles. would have
TO be reconciled with the modus yivendi.
X was felt that this could not be done. "a
the rnodus Was not a continuing agree
-nsnt but was from year 20 year. depend
ing FOR its existence On its annual rcadop
ton by the British parliament.
Owing 20 Japan's yieg Of the subject.
thu opinion OF the seal experts was laid
before the Japanese delegates. THIS op.n-
/ ion was 70 the effect that. while the Japa-
I nese seal possessions were little OF moth
| Ing AZ the present time yet By ade-
Guate protection % the seals her deci-
mated ToOkeTtes would ne Ees-oFed ana
large seal property built Up. This ex-
/ pert view appears 70 hava been coa9in -i-E
or The japanese delegates. FOR, as already
( stated Mr. Fuiita net only cahIed TIE
{ final proposition "a Japan. but accom-
| nanied Il with MS favorable recon rnenta-
ton.
The conferees being agreed. it only re-
mains 10 hear from the respective gov
ernnsnts they represent An adjourn
~oa-s as accordingly taken until next
! Monday. BY whi-h time Il Is thought fha
governments 81 81 Petersburg ard T.
/ kyo VII have taken final act o. o. ths
urovozit.1n.