The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-13
John A. KaSsOn to Discuss the Cues
ton with Sir WiIfrid Laurier
and His Colleagues.
BERING SEA PROPOSITIONS
SUBMITTED TO THE SEAL CONFER
ENCE, BUT NO ACTION TAKEN.
subcommittee on Appropriations
Named by Chairman CannOn-PrOc-
IamatiOn by the President.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12.-Definite ar
engagements have been made for taking up
the subject of a reciprocity treaty between
the United States and Canada and to this
end meetings have been fixed between Hon.
John A. Kasson, who is specially designated
by President Mckinley to conduct the reci-
procity negotiations, and Sir Wilfrid Lauri-
er, the Canadian premier, and Sir Louis
Davies, minister of marine. This is the re-
suit of the long and friendly conference
held yesterday between Secretary Sherman
and Sir Wilfrid Laurier. The meeting will
be held during the present visit of the
Canadian officials, but no exact time for it
has yet been fixed as 1t will depend some
what the time which can be spared from
the Boring sea sessions. The arrangements
also contemplate taking up the questions
of border immigration, North Atlantic fish
cries, lake fisheries, and all other subjects
affecting the two countries. The meeting
with Mr. Kasson, however, will be confined
TO reciprocity, as he is delegated by the
president to treat on that subject alone 1t
is not expected that the reciprocity treaty
itself can be matured during the present
visit of the Canadian officials the desire
being to arrive at some common under
standing at this time aid then perfect the
details later.
The dinner at the White House last night
assisted towards a friendly settlement of
pcHulHS QueSllOUS. lneTe were no IOdSIS
and no speeches at the dinner. but at it's
conclusion the Canadian guests, accom-
panied the President and his Cabinet adj
ViSerS TO the Blue room, where wholly in
formal and personal exchange of views oc-
CURED. These were on the same friendly
lines as those at the formal conference be-
tween the secretary of state and Sir Will
frid Laurier in the day, and the general
sentiment prevailed that the present time
was opportune for more cordial intercourse
between this country and Canada. The an
nouneement of the meetings with Mr.. Kas-
son followed this morning
In view OF these meetings 1t is pointed out
that much misrepresentation exists to the
preferences which the Canadian tariff law
gives to Great Britain The law makes
no mention of Great Britain. 1t has two
schedules, maximum and minimum. At
present Great Britain enjoys he minimum
countries. the United States included and
there is nothing in the law which contem-
plates giving Great Britain the exclusive
benefits of these lower rates. II Is under
stood to be the view of the Canadian Of
ficials that the markets of the United States
and Canada so closely connected
geographically that it is essential that the
countries look to each other, rather than
to markets thousands of miles distant and
difficult of access. This, ii is said, implies
no undue benefits or determinations toward
the United States Great Britain, but
merely recognition of business conditions.
During to-day's conference of the Bering
sea experts a series of propositions were
presented by American representatives COW
ering the number and habits of the 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 British-Canadian representatives
presented counter propositions covering
their view of the same subjects. The prop
ositiOns differed considerably, but were not
SO wide apart as to lead to the belief that
they could not be reconciled. 1t was felt
to be desirable to hold no afternoon session,
n order that the two sets of propositions
might be compared. Later in the day the
British-Canadians submitted some further
amendments to the American propositions.
&c rNn hnf Vrvh 10 &c va
suned tomorrow the experts will be able
to reach a common understanding. The
propositions Go not embody any diplomatic
features, but are solely scientific. as to the
number habits and destruction of the seals.
After the experts have reconciled their
propositions, the diplomats will begin to
consider the large subject of providing an
adequate remedy against seal destruction.
1T is not expected however, that this stage
will be reached before next week. and the
first plan of concluding the meeting this
week has been given up.