The herald., 1897-11-16
SEALING
EXPERTS
Cannot Reconcile All Their
Differences
SUPPRESSION OF SEALING
THE POINT AT WHICH CANADA
STICKS
Failure of the Negotiations Is Feared
by Officials Taking Part in
the Conference
Associated Press Special Wire.

w WAOf11NG1ON, NOV. 1o-4 lac I0illioi
Canadian and American delegates to the
Bering sea meeting had confidently ex-
pected to bring their labors to close to-
day. but after two arduous sessions last
ing until $3.50 o'clock this evening the
experts had not been able to reconcile
all their differences. 1t was determined.
therefore, to continue the meeting to-
morrow
Up to the time of closing today the
experts had reached an agreement on
all but three or four reserved PROPOSE
tions. These, it is expected, can be
agreed on during the morning session
tomorrow, so that the expert report can
be signed and the meeting concluded, so
far as the experts are concerned. This
will make available all the data neces-
sary for considering the vital diplomatic
question of stopping pelagic sealing.
The intention is that Mr.. Foster, Sir
Wilfrid Laurier and Sir Louis Davies
will meet tomorrow afternoon to go over
the results reached by the experts and if
possible agree upon basis of settle
meeting continues to be in much doubt
1t was intimated tonight that the Ca
nadians might make counter PROPOSE
ton, not going SO far as the American
representatives desired in the way of
limiting pelagic sealing, but yet Offering
a possible ground for aflicable adjust
ment.
Equally reliable sources state that If
the issue assumed the form of pelagic
sealing or no pelagic sealing, as now
seemed likely, it would be extremely
difficult to reconcile the differences. In
view Of the continuance of the meeting,
Sir Wilfrid and Sir Louis will not leavs
until tomorrow night or Wednesday.
| When the Bering sea meeting began a
the state department the delegates stat
ed that there was every reason to be.
| lievc the final stage would be reaches
today. The expertslYere ready to report
on all the technicaffeatures of seal life
and it was reliably stSted that they had
reached common ground and would sign
joint report. Wi:N this in hand the
diplomats planned to devote this after
noon to considering the larger phase Of
the question, that of reaching joint
agreement between the United States
and Great Britain for the cessation Of
pelagic sealing. This was felt to be
the vital issue Of the negotiations, on
which hinged not only settlement OF
the Bering sea question, but also prob
ably that of reciprocity, border immi-
grafton and all the questions pending
between the United States and Canada
From reliable quarters it was learned
that the diplomatic contention had al
ready taken definite shape. 1t is under
stood that the proposition of the Ameri-
can representatives involves two feat
ures: first that Canada, through the
imperial authorities, shall consent to the
stoppage of pelagic sealing for one year,
and second, that negotiations shall be
opened for a suspension of sealing be-
yond this term of one year. 1t is under
stood that the Canadian officials do not
regard this proposition with favor
| They have taken the ground, it is said,
that they would be glad to reach any
basis Of settlement by compromise or
fair concession. but they view the propo-
sition as one for absolute surrender on
their part. From their standpoint an
agreement to stop sealing for one year
and then to negotiate for stopping it fol
a longer period would not involve any
give-and- take concession, as they would
be called on to give without definite pros
pect of receiving benefit for benefit.
Whether this will develop a critica
issue when the diplomats get together
cannot be foretold. Each side naturally
is very insistent in its respective con-
tentions as the final stage is approach
ing. but this is In part attributed to dip
lomatic maneuvering for position. Botf
sides are earnestly hopeful of a solution
From the American standpoint tht
| failure of the negotiations would affec
not only the sealing question between
Canada and the United States. but would
| also complicate the treaty between Rus
sia, Japan and the United States, tn,
entire theory Of that treaty being tina
Great Britain and Canada would co
operate in a limitation of pelagic seal
ing. From the Canadian standpoint
there Is equal anxiety to avoid a failur
of the negotiations. as that would affec
not only their Bcring sea interests, bu
also reciprocity, border immigration
and the many subjects on which the.
hope to secure an adjustment.
While this general sentiment prevails
one of the officials participating in tn
meeting regretfully expressed the fca
that the negotiations would fail, adding
however, that he hoped his fears woul,
not be realized by the final issue Of tn
meeting.
II BRITISH COMMENT
LONDON, Nov. 15-The Afternoon
newspapers devote editorial articles to
day to the visit of Sir Wilfrid Lauriel
premier of Canada, to Washington.
4 The Globe declares: '"The Statesmen
at washington have played their card
badly, and they know 1t. Canada ha
learned the lesson of patriotic independ
ence and self-reliance, and the magnifi
, cent discoveries of gold which promis
her in the near future an enormous In
! crease Of population has confirmed hs
; In the just confidence that with tn
mother country at her back she need
lno American assistance IN the work {
carving out for herself an honorable IN
S[prosperous career
g