The record-union., 1897-10-07
BEHRlNG SEA
CONTROVERSY.
Great Britain Communicates With
Emhassador Hay,
Relative TO the Proposed Sealing Confer
ence at Washington.
The British Government Refuses to
Take Part in Amy Sealing Con-
ference With Representatives
of Russia and Japan, but As
serts It's Willingness to Confer
With the United States Alone.

LONDON, Oct. 6.-The officials of the
British Foreign Office have communi-
Gated to the United States Embassa-
dor, Colonel John Hay, the final decis-
ion of that Government, that Great
Britain must refuse to take part in any
sealing conference with representatives
of Russia and Japan. The British
Government, however, asserts its will
ingness to confer with the United
States alone, but it insists that Russia
and Japan are not interested in the
Behring Sea seals to a degree emitting
them to representation at the confer
erce.
The British Government does not
suggest any date for conference with
the United States, and it is thought
probable in London that Great Bri-
tain's withdrawal will result in two
meetings, one between the United
States, Russia and Japan, and the 9TH
er between the United States. Great
Britain and Canada. 1t cannot be too
strongly reiterated that the withdrawal
Of Great Britain from the Washington
conference is due to Canada's insist
Gals informed the Foreign Office here
e. Canada's objections to meeting Ja-
pan and Russia, out Of fear of being.
outvoted, Great Britain fully intended
TO enter the conference with the other
Governments.
nut Tor colonel Hays representations
me hrst announcement of Great Rri-
tam unWllhngness to take part in the
conference would have been final. but
the united States ambassador so Dlain-
" pointed out the unusual character Of
treat Britain's change of mind Al O.
l.e day, that some Foreign Office
olllclals decided to reopen the question.
ana nave been endeavoring. but unsuc-
eessIully, to secure Canada's acouies-
cehce' Sir Julian Pauncefote the
brltlsh Embassador to the TTnitad
STATES, also used his influence. in a
spirit Of friendliness to the Tinted
states, IN efforts to secure the adber-
ence of Great Britain to the original
programme.
The diplomats here consider that
Great Britain's course was not cour-
teous to Russia and japan.
Experts who have been investigat tino
sales OF seal skins in London, to OBJ
tam the evidence for the use of the
United States at the conference. have
proof that so per cent. of the skins sold
by the Canadian sealers are females
and that most of the animals were shot
ANNOUNCEMENT CONFIRMED.
WASHINGTON, Oct 6.-Inquiry at
the State Department confirms the an
nouncement from the British Foreign
Office that the British Government has
refused to take part in any conference
IN which Russian and Japanese dele
gates participate. Beyond this confir-
nation, the officials of the Department
decline to discuss the question as to
further progress on the subject.
John w. Foster, ex-Secretary of
State, who is in charge of the interests
of the United States in the Behring Sea
seal fisheries matter was asked about
the statement that there will be two
conferences, one between the United
States and Great Britain and the other
between the United States, Russia and
Japan, but he declined to discuss this
point at the present time.
Hon. John w. Foster makes public
the names of the following delegates
who are to represent the Russian Gov
ernment at the conference: Councillor
Martens of the Ministry of Foreign Af-
fairs and professor of international law
in the University of St Petersburg;
Court Councillor P. Bolkine of the
Russian Diplomatic Service. formerly
attached to the Legation Of that coun-
try at Washington, and Councillor of
State Grebitzky. Governor of the Com
mander (SeaD Islands.