Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-11-13
talk Of PROTECTION.
Subject That ls Now Engaging
the Attention Of Diplomats
at Washington.
oSEeooD TURN DESERVES ANOTHER

Limitations ON Pelagic Scaling for
Limitations On relagsc Fishing-Little
Hope for Lssrier's Missson. to Secure
Observation-Disclosures Also Wants Pro-
lection; Also the Sea Otter.
Washington. Nov. 13.-The third .es-
sion OF the experts on seal life was held
at the state department yesterday, all Of
the representatives of the United States
Canada and Great Britain being in at.
tndance. Adams, first secretary of tire
British embassy. took his place as the
diplomatic representative Of the Cana
Ian government. 1t should be under
stood that this conference is q confer
ence OF experts" The diplomatic repre-
sentatives have nothing to say; they
are present more as witnesses than any
thing else. though their presence will
| enable them to more fully understand
the report OF the experts when it is
| ready. What the experts are after is to
| lind some common facts upon which
they can agree to a recommendation for
the regulation Of pelagic sealing, and
they are doing all the talking at the con-
ference now going on. During yester-
days conference a series of propositions
was presented by the American repre-
sentetives covering the number and hab-
Its CT seals. and the extent to which
the seal herd had been reduced during
the five years in which the Paris award
had been In operation In turn the Brit
ish-Canadian representatives presented
counter propositions. covering their view
OF the same subjects.
Differ but Are Not Irreconcilable.
The propositions differed considerably,
but were not so wide apart as to lead
to the belief that they could not be rec
! onciled- 1t was felt to be desirable to
hold TO afternoon session, in order that
the two sets of propositions might be
compared. Later in the day the British
Canadians submitted some further
amendments to the American PROPOSE
tions. 1t Is expected that when the ses-
sion Is resumed today the experts will
be able to reach a common understand
ing. The propositions do not embody
any diplomatic features, bug are solely
scientific-as to the number, habits and
destruction of the seals. After the OK
perts have reconciled their propositions
the diplomats will begin to consider tn.
large subject of providing an ADEQUATE
remedy against seal destruction. 1t is no,
expected. however. that this stage will
be reached before next week and the
first plan Of concluding the meeting thi:
week has been given up.
Another Question of the Same Kind.
1t Is stated upon good authority tina,
the Canadians will ask a counter con.
cession from this country in the wax
OF guarantee for the protection of the
northern fisheries in return for any ell.
teration Of the sealing regulations to
which they may give their consent They
take the position that the fish along the
Canadian and Newfoundland coasts are
as much the property OF Canada as are
the seals on the Pribyloff islands the
property OF the United States, and con.
tend that they have as much right e
make demands for the protection of the
fish against American fishermen as We
have to ask Canadians to agree to fur.
Their restrictions in the matter of killins
the seals. Their specific complaint 4:
that while Canadian laws prohibit fish.
Ing except within certain seasons the
American laws do not impose ccrre.
spending conditions and that while the
taking OF the fish can be prohibited dur.
Ing the closed seasons within their terri.
tory II cannot be controlled outside Of
these boundaries.
Very Little show for Reciprocity.
John W. kasson has been delegated e
confer with Sir wilfrid Laurier on The
reciprocity question. but few hope fol
any reciprocity arrangement. The trou
bic Is that the articles Canada wants Il
ship us We have to sell. and they are al
protected by the Dingley bill. Ther
there Is claim here that Canada Is un
reasonable and aggressive. and II is gen
orally understood that IL Canada OBJ
tained anything worth having in a reci
procity treaty the senate would tur,
down the treaty. Sir wilfrid is being &C
corded very cordial reception in a so
cial way. and IL being wined and dinet
by the high dignitaries Of our govern
ment: but It is freely predicted that h,
viii not be able to accomplish the obiec
OF his visit. even though he surrender,
everything which Is in dispute between