The Wichita daily eagle., 1897-11-13

tary Of state. ION the status Of the seal
ing question the public men Of England
are well posted, because OF its national
and inter-coioniai Importance and be
cause upon it hinges the findings Of the
Paris tribunal of arbitration.
But they are very little concerned in
| the subjects Of our immediate trade re-
| lations with the United States, the alien
labor law, the bonding privilege. and 30
on, except THAT they would like to see a
settlement OF these questions. which,
while not Of supreme importance in
| themselves, are source Of irritation
between Canada and the United States
and furnish a constant theme for the
| belligerert press on both sides"
IMPERIALISM A BIG JOB.
London, Nov. 12-Sir Charles Dixie.
| Radical member of parliament for the
Forest Of Dean, addressing the Fabian
society in this city this evening, with
reference to the difficulties of wedding
the empire into working whole, said:
'Tt must be remembered that granting
special advantages TO the colonies would
benefit one-fourth Of our trade, but be
detrimental TO three-fourths. To give an
advantage TO Canadian wheat would
mean imposing a duty on American and
Argentine wheat; while favoring Austral
ian wool would be detrimental to the
manufactures OF Yorkshire. Moreover.
in neither case were We offered free
trade in return"
Sir Charles said that he still thought
|, the problem of defense the most vital
one, and that it should stand first. Al
luding to Sir Wilfred Laurier's presence
in Washington, he reminded his hearers
that Lord Dufferin, governor-general OF
Canada, in 1874, at that time opposed
reciprocity treaty between Canada and
tle United States on the ground that it
would be detrimental 10 the trade of the
empire.
SEALS AND FISHES.
Washington, Nov. 12-The third ses-
sion OF the experts on seal life was held
at the state department today. all of the
representatives of the United States
Canada and Great Britain being in at
tendance except Sir Wilfred Laurier who
spent the morning in visiting the Cath
olic university. Mr.. Adams, first secre-
tary OF the British embassy, took his
place as the diplomatic representative of
the Canadian government. The effort is
maintained TO keep the proceedings strict
iy secret al this stage.
1t is stated upon good authority that
the Canadians Will ask a counter con-
cession from this county in the way of
guarantee for the protection of the
northern fisheries, in return for any al
teration of the sealing regulations TO
which they may give their consent.
They take the position that the FISH
along the Canadian and the Newfound-
land coasts are as much the property Of
Canada as are the seals on the Pribyloff
Islands the property of the United
States, and contend that they have as
much right TO make demands for the
protection of the fish against American
fishermen as we have TO ask the Cana
dians TO agree to further restrictions in
the matter of killing seals. Their spe-
cific complaint is that while Canadian
laws prohibit fishing except within GER
tain seasons the American laws do not
impose corresponding conditions, and
that while the taking Of fish can be
prohibited during the closed seasons
within their territory ii cannot be con-
trolled outside of these boundaries.
Many of the FISH which properly belong
within Canadian waters are thus pick
ed up out of season 10y American fisher
men, Sir Wilfred Laurier will ask the
United States TO agree to the protection
of these fish during the breeding sea-
son, as an offset to any seal concessions
TO which Canada may consent.
THE DAYS CONFERENCE.
During todays' conference a number OF
propositions were presented by the Amer
lean representatives covering the num-
her and habits of the seals, nd the ex-
tent to which the seal herd has been re-
duced during the five years in which the
Paris award has been in operation. In
turn, the British-Canadian representa-
tives presented cOunter-propositions Gov
ering their views of the same subjects.
The propositions differed considerably,
but were not so wide apart as to lead to
the belief that they could not be recon-
ciled. II is expected that when the ses-
sion is resumed tomorrow, the experts
will be able to reach a common under
standing. The propositions do not en-
body any diplomatic features. but are
solely scientific, as to the number, hab
it's and destruction of the seals. After
the experts have reconciled their propo-
sitions the diplomats will begin 70 con-
slider the large subject of providing an
adequate remedy against seal desiruc-
ton.
ALASKAN SEA Offers.
Washington, Nov. 12.-Captain c. L.
Hooper Of the revenue cutter service,
the Bering sea patrol fleet,
has made report to the secretary of the
treasury on the subject Of the sea otter
banks Of Alaska. Captain Hooper re-
views the history OF the otter from the
earliest times, and arrives at the c0nclu- |
sion that they not only have been greatly |
reduced in numbers during the last ten
years. but that they have actually |
their habits and are no longer |
found, as formerly, on or near the shore. |
He also states that the 1,165 natives on |
the Aleutian Islands are almost wholly !
upon the otter for the neces'
ties OF life, and will be LETT destitute II |
the animal is exterminated, as seems |
imminent if no steps are taken for their |
Captain Hooper Is OF the |
opinion that the principal parts Of the
present hunting grounds are wholly with /
in the territorial waters Of the United |
States, and that therefore the preserva-
ton OK the otter would not necsssiIats
the cooperation OF any other country
--,..,Li. roo-,,r,-fo-S r-o-ariy enforced