Arizona republican., 1897-10-05
THE SEAL CONFERENCE.

The sole purpose of the United States, in calling upon Great Britain for faithful adherence to the Paris award and the agreement thera reached in the matter of the seals, is to prevent if possible the total de- struction and extergnination of the seals Great Britain, while inclined to be indignant over the Sherman letter, agreed to send representatives to conference to be held at Wash ington. Nothing more could have been asked, inasmuch as such con- currence upon the part of Great Brit ain revealed @ disposition to consider the subject. It was then announced that Russia and Japan would also be asked-being to some extent interest. ed in the question@to take part in ths conference No objections came from Great Britain then, but now that the time for the conference approaches it has suddenly come to Great Britain that Russia and Japan have no busi- ness in the conference, and the inti- mation has been given that Great Britian will refuse to take part if the two eastern nations are represented This would seem to be a latter day excuse for breaking promise already given and accepted In good faith by us.
 The English newspapers, as usual, have broken out with considerable virulence, although some of them are inclined to be reasonable in their treatment of the subject. The Lon- don Daily Chronicle is of the opinion that it makes no difference whether Great Britain takes part i1 the con- ference or not, inasmuch as nothing done at the conference would have any weight so far as it's conclusions could become binding The Morning Post IS "nawsty," and credits the United States with a chronic desire to ''injure and humiliate" Great Brit ain. The Times holds that the bone of contention is one to be gnawed only by the United States and Great Britain, and that the other two coun- tries named have no part in a con- sideration of the regulations provid- ed at the Paris meeting.
 We are inclined to agree with the Times on that particular point. The United States has called Great Brit ain to an accounting, based upon an alleged violation, upon the part of that country, of the agreement reach | ed at Paris. That brings the dispute down to the two English speaking nations. 1t is their matter and no harm could follow by excluding Rus sia and Japan.
 The only weak place in the newly assumed attitude of Great Britain is that the protest was so long delayed l It would have been far better had Great Britain at once-that is as soon as the invitation to Russia and Japan was made public-filed a protest. That was not done, and now, just on the eve of the conference, comes the out cry of the English press, inspired of course, by the English cabinet.
 The United States is in earnest in a desire to prevent the extermination of the seals, and this country can afford to make some concessions if the English cabinet insists. Uf l course the coming conference was only designed as friendly consider ation of the merits of the case as presented by the two actual parties at interest.
 Upon several recent occasions Cheat Britain has accepted our con- tentions and has agreed to our de- mands, and we would lose nothing if. for the sake of perpetuating a spirit of good feeling. Great Britain should
 be humored and permitted to, have its way at this time. It is not a question of such vital interest that
 it is worth pickering about.