The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-11-17
Suggested by Canada as a
Means of Adjusting
Differences.
NO FINAL ACTION TAKEN.
Proposition to Be Submitted
in Writing by the
Dominion.

WASHINGTON. Nov 16-The Ber-
ing sea meeting, in which representa-
tives of Great Britain. Canada and the
United States have participated, came
to a close tonight, the seal experts
making a unanimous report concerning
the condition of the seal herds, ard the
diplomatic representatives of the re-
spective governments reaching an un-
derstanding by which they hope, at q
later day, to effect final adjustment
not only of the Bering sea question.
but of other pending border ContrO-
versies. For the present, however, no
final action was taken as to the sus-
pension of pelagic sealing. The Gala
dams urged that other questions be
embraced in any plan of settlement,
and suggested an international COM
mission to accomplish this end. This
proposition was finally discussed, and
an agreement reached that the Cana
dian officials would put their views
in writing after returning to Ottawa,
and submit them to the authorities
here. All parties concerned say that
the outlook is favorable to a salts
factory adjustment
The unanimous agreement Of the CX-
perts brings the governments together
for the first time on all the facts re
lating to the seals. This agreement
was reached after painstaking C"m-
parison- of notes. and the results were
announced in an official statement ny
Gen. Foster, as follows;
The delegates to the fur seal conference
have agreed unanimously on certain pIopo5i-
tions touching the fur seal nerds oil btiIhg
sea The report contains sixteen propositions
which are briefly epitomized as follows
That the Pribyloff herd has declined in num-
bers from 1884 to 1891; that the number was
formerly three to four times that Whlch now
exists: that the death rate among pups iS
great not more than one-half to one-third
surviving to the age of three years that me
number OF breeding females in 1896 and 1897
was between 100 900 and 130C coo; that the de
crease from 1896 to 1897 was notable thougn
its extent could not be definitely determined;
thst land killing of males as now practced
does no harm to the herds: that the peiagic
sealers respect the limitations OF the law;
that pelagic sealing involves indiscriminate
killing; that the catch at sea contains
marked excess Of females; that the killing OF
males On land is the cause OF this that
among the females killed are not only those
both nursing and pregnant, but also many
who are immature who have already lost
their pups: that the fur seal being poyga-
NOUS a large number Of males may be killed
with impunity; that females cannot be killed
in similar numbers without checking the N
crease of the herd or bringing about ac-
tual decline: that a small number OF females
less than the annual increment of breeders
might be taken without producing actual
decrease; that excessive pelagic sealing has
led to a reduction I'm the herd; that peldgic
sealing has of late fallen of in greater ratio
than the herd has. this producing a tendency
toward equilibrium in number; that in esti-
mating the future conditions Of the herd must
be taken into consideration reductions in The
number of surviving pups caused by the pela-
gic catches of lS94-1Sg5 that the herd is not
in danger of actual determination so long as
its haunts on land are protected and the
protected zone is maintained: that both land
and sea killing now yield an inconsderable
profit either to iessees CT to the peagic seal
ers themselves.
The delegates signing the agreement
are as follows: Charles Sumner Ham
lin, David Starr Jordan, DARCY Wont
worth Thompson, James Melville Nc
COun.
Following the agreement Of the cX-
perts tine diplomatic officials assembled
at Gen. Fosters house to discuss the
larger question of putting an end to
pelagic sealing and of settling border
controversies. Owing to the continued
illness of Sir Julian PaunCcfOtr. who
is confined to his room, the British
government was represented by the
first secretary of the British embassy,
Mr.. Adam Sir Wilfred Laurier and Sir
Louis Davies were present in behalf Of
Canada. Cen Fosters power has been
materially enlarged since the coming
of the Canadian officials, for, as a re-
suit of the long and friendly talk be-
tween Sir Wilfred and Secretary Sher-
man, the latter has written 10 the
Canadian premier stating that the
president had empowered Gen. Foster
to treat on the various border questions
Viii g.. . l.
attention of Mr.. Sherman, and with the
cooperation Of the British gOv5 rumrnt,
to conclude treaties covering thes- sub
jects.
This gave the meeting a broad sigrif-
canoe. 1t began at 4 p. IN. and lasted
until o'clock. During these three
hours the entire range of border affairs
was discussed. Primarily the purpose
of the meeting was to secure an agree
ment on Bering sea. The Canadians
made it clear however, that they wish
ed any plan of settlement to take
broader scope than the one subject OF
Bering sea. and to embrace the many
sources of friction along the border in
this connection the plan of an inter-
national commission was discussed at
great length. The Canadians felt that
the commission offered the best means
of reconciling all differences and Of
opening the way to reciprocity. The
discussion was of the most friendly
nature throughout. and no sharp differ
ences were allowed to crop out u was
felt, however that the plan Of a COM
mission was too large a question for
immediate determination. a final un-
derstanding was reached. therefore,
that the Canadian proposition should
be reduced to writing, as d basis for
further negotiations. This closed the
conference, and the officials said their
farewells, expressing satisfaction in
the cordial feeling which had charac-
terized the meetings of the last ten
days.
Sir Wilfred and Sir Louis leave at 10
o'clock tomorrow morning for Ottawa