The Portland daily press., 1897-11-02

Regarded as a Discourtesy.
Washington, November lit is ex-
peoted that treaty or convention between
the United States, Russia and Japan VIII
be formally signed and executed at the
state Department during the present
week, carrying out the proposition befor
the Bering sea conference for suspension
OF pelagio sealing. The present under
standing is that the signing Of this doou-
ment will occur within the next few
days. 1t will represent the completed
effort of the conference, and with the
signing concluded, the conference will
adjourn. The terms Of the treaty or
convention will follow the lines of the
proposition considered by the conference
md referred with favorable recommends
tion as to the authorities at St. Peters
burg and Toxic. No doubt existed as to
the acceptance of the Russian authorities
and 1t can now be stated positively that
the Japanese government has approved
the proposition and that the Japanese
delegates are prepared to place their
signatures to the treaty. This clears away
all obstacles and little remains to be done
beyond the formalities attending the sign
ing of such an instrument. The essential
feature of the treaty is for the suspension
OF pelagic sealing for such q period as
will permit the seal herd to revive. The
period OF this suspension is not disclosed.
One report is that 1t will be for ono year,
subject to extension, another Is that 1t
will cover term of years. But the exact
duration OF the suspension cannot be vert-
| fed. All that can be learned with def
| niteness is that the treaty is expected to
be executed during the present week and
that it will be on the lines of the original
| proposition before the conference. The
conference resumed its sessions but no
official statement was made as to what
| had been done.
The attitude which Great Britain will
assume toward the proposition and the
treaty which is to take tsplace il awaited
with much interest. thus far, the
formed as to what the conference proposes
doing. At the same time, the British
expert, Prof. Thompson. has had several
long talks with Mr.. Foster and Mr..
Hamlin, and these have been of such a
satisfactory nature that 1t was believed
an amicable understanding would be
reached by all parties concerned II Canada
showed disposition to assent to the
agreement. But Canada still stands in
the way and the continued absence of the
Canadian expert, Mr.. Macoun is regarded
in the light of diplomatic discourtesy,
not only to the United States but also to
the British government. The foreign
office named him, with Prof. Thompson,
as an expert 90 como to Washington.
Prof Thompson came at once, but Mr..
Macoun has remained away. The Ottawa
government has sent no explanation of
this action and apparently was oblivious
to all inquiries. It is thought the presence
Of Mr.. Hamlin as the American expert in
the British-American meeting may be the
cause Of Canada inaotion. Lord Salisbury
specifically stated that it was to be one
| between experts. To this end the British
expert, Thompson, and the Canadian ex !.
pert, Macoun, were named, it being ex-
pected that the United States would
name Its expert, Prof. Jordan.
| Mr.. Hamlin was named, however, and
| it Is understood that this is viewed rather
| in the light Of naming counsellor or
diplomat as the United States representa-
tive rather than an expert. " hile no
official objection has been made to the ap-
pointment, it is believed to account In
part for Canada's delay in sending her
expert to Washington.
No mention is made in the convention
of the killing of seals in case Great
Britain and Canada do not co operate. 1t
is pointed out that Russia and Japan
could not adopt retaliatory steps against
Canada as they have no border interests
with her. Any action against Canada,
therefore, must be taken by the United
States alone.
Mr.. Foster gave reception tonight to
the Russian, Japanese and British dele
gates and experts. Professor Thompson
was present, but the British embassy
officials were not represented owing to the
month Of mourning imposed by the death
Of the Duchess of Teck.