Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-11-02
THOSE SEALS AGAIN.
United States, Russia and Japan
to Sign a Treaty About
Them This Week.
IMPORTANT FACT NOT ANNOUNCED
what Does the Treaty Provide I'm Case Johp
buil Declines tn Absolutely Prohibit Re
lasfc Sealins:-A Hint Of Retaliation
Against Canada and = Complaint That
Her Expert Has Not Appeared-Possible
objection 70 Diplomat Hamlin.


Washington, Nov. at is expected
that a treaty or convention between
the United States, Russia ard Japan
VIII be formally signed and executed at
the state department during the present
week. carrying out the proposition be-
lore the Behring sea conference for O
suspension Of pelagic sealing The pres
ent understanding is that the signing
Oh this document will occur within the
next few days 1t will represent the
completed efforts OF the conference and
with the signing concluded the confer
ence VIII adjourn. The terms of the
treaty or convention will follow the lines
OF the proposition considered by the con-
ference and referred with favorable
recommendation to the authorities at
st. Petersburg and Toxic. The essen
tial feature of the treaty or convention
Is for the suspension of pelagic sealing
Tor such period as will permit the seal
nerds to revive. The period Of this
suspension is not disclosed.
Canada Stands in the Way,
The attitude which Great Britain will
assume toward the proposition and the
awaited with much interest. Thus far
the British authorities have not been in
formed as to what the conference pro-
poses doing. At the same time the
British expert. Professor Darcy Thomp-
son, has had several long talks with
roster and Hamlin, and these have been
OF such satisfactory nature that 1t
was believed an amicable understanding
would be reached by all parties con-
cerned II Canada showed q disposition
to assent to the agreement. But Canada
stiil stands in the way, and the con-
tlnued absence of the Canadian expert,
Macoun, Is regarded in the light of a
diplomatic discourtesy, net only to the
United States but also to the British
government. The foreign office named
MIN with Professor Thompson as an ex-
pert to come to Washington.
May Object to IIamlin's Presence.
Professor Thompson came at once. but
Macoun has remained away. The OF
tawa government has sent no explana-
ton of this action, and apparently is
oblivious to all inquiries. 1t is though.
the presence of Hamlin as the American
expert in the British-American meeting
may be the cause of Cenada's inaction
Lord Salisbury specifically stated in ac-
cepting the proposition for a meeting
that 1t was to be one between experts"
To this end the British expert Thompson
and the Canadian expert Macoun were
named, 1t being expected that the United
states would name as its expert Pro-
lessor Jordan. Hamlin was named.
however, and 1t is understood that this
Is viewed rather in the light Of naming
counselor, or diplomat, as the United
States representative, rather than an
expert.
Question of Annihilating the Seals,
No mention is made in the convention
OF the killing of seals in case Great
Britain and Canada do net cooperate.
1t Is pointed out that Russia and Japan
could not adopt retaliatory steps
against Canada, as they have no border
interests with her. Any action against
Canada, therefore, must be taken by
the United States alone. The plan of
killing of the seals has been embodied
In the bill before congress, but it has
Lot come before the conference as a step
now to be taken by the allied powers.
Foster gave reception yesterday to
the Russian, japanese and British dele
gates ard experts. Professor Thompson
was present, but the British embassy
officials were not represented owing to
the month of mourning imposed by the
death Of the Duchess of Teck.