The herald., 1897-11-06
SEALING
QUESTION
Is Made the Basis of More
Discussion
HIGH OFFICIALS OF CANADA
COMING OVER TO CONFER IN
PERSON
The Fur Seal to Be Used as Batteriur
Ram Against the High
Tariff
Associated Press Special Wire.

Asscclateu PreSS special Wire.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 5.-A new
phase of the Bering sea negotiations de-
veloped today when the state depart
ment was advised that Sir Wilfrid Lau-
rier, premier of Canada, and Sir Louis
Davis, minister of marine and fisheries
in the Laurier cabinet, would come here
early next week to take part in the ne
gotiations. The British embassy was
not advised, however, and it was under
stood that the British foreign office was
equally unaware Of the fact that the
chief officials of Canada would come to
Washington to treat in person on the
subject. Up to this time the British
authorities had strenuously insisted
that the Bering sea meeting was to be
confined strictly to an exchange of tech
nical information between experts"
Lord Salisbury's letter to Secretary
Sherman carefully limited the meeting
to one of experts" and in execution of
this Professor Thompson was named as
the British expert, and Prof. Macoun
the expert of Canada. Notwithstanding
this strict limitation adopted at Lon
come to Washington prepared to dis
cuss the subject from q much broader
standpoint than any thus far conceded
in London.
How far they will be able to treat con-
cerning Bering sea, reciprocity or other
subjects is a question of interesting
conjecture. The state department is
much gratified at their coming as it is
cz1% 81 = 49, 1et1
ering the sealing question on broader
lines than heretofore.
Sir Wilfrid Laurier is regarded as the
head Of that element in Canada favor
able to the most cordial relations with
the United States. Fhe Liberal party.
Of which he is the leader, came into
power on the issue of closer commercial
relations with the United States.
Heretofore Sir Wilfrid's efforts and
those of his party associates toward Sc
curing a reciprocity treaty with the
United tSates have been unavailing, but
within the last few days the state de.
partment has intimated that it would
view with favor negotiations for recip-
.rocity between Canada and the United
States.
The international Russo-Japanese-
American treaty on the Bering Sea fish
cries question was not signed today, the
statement being made by officials that
the formalities were not yet completed.
When the conference adjourned last
Monday it was with the understanding
that all preliminaries should be ar
ranged by today and the treaty signed.
But the issuance Of powers and ENJOYS
Is taking more time than was antici-
pated, and the signing has been deferred,
it being stated that it will occur in few
days.
The meeting between the American
and British experts looks more promis-
ing. The State Department is expect
ing Sir Wilfrid Laurier and Mr.. Davis,
Minister of Marine in Lauriers Cab
met, the early part of next week. With
them will come Prof. Macoun, the seal
expert designated by the British For
eign Office to confer with the authorities
here. Although Prof. Macoun will hold
the only credentials as delegate, yet the
presence of the Canadian Premier and
q member of his Cabinet is expected to
have an important bearing on the Ber-
ing Sea question as we'll as on that Of
commercial reciprocity between the
United States and Canada.
CANADIAN FEARS
OTTAWA, Ont, Nov. 5.-The Of
ficials Of the fisheries department
are disconnected over the action
of Professor Thompson, the Eng
lish sealing expert. Great fears are en-
tertained that in connection with the
recent conference he may have COM
mitted Great Britain to the line Of
policy quite antagonistic to Canadian
interests. A Minister expresses fears
that the English expert has fallen vic
tim to the wiles of American politicians.
Sir Louis Davies, minister Of marine
and fisheries, said this evening that it
is quite possible that Sir Wilfrid Laur-
ier and himself may discuss the ques-
ton of reciprocity when they are at
Washington next week. The alien
labor law may also come up for con-
sideration.