The San Francisco call., 1897-11-02
Russia, Japan and the
United States to Sign
a Treaty.
Great Britain Not Party
as Yet to the New
Agreement.
The Attitude. of Canada, 1t Is Be-
lleved, Accounts for This Con-
dItIon of Affairs.
Special Dispatch to THE CALL
CALL OFFICE. R1GGs House;
WASHINGTON, d. D., Nov. /.

:.
WASHINGTON. D. D., Nov. l.
WASHINGTON, Nov. :1-Itis expected
that a treaty or convention between the
United States. Russia and japan will be
formally signed and executed at the
State Department. during the present
week. carrying out the proposition before
the Bering Sea conference for suspen-
sion of peiagic sealing. The present under
standing IS that the signing of this docu-
ment will occur within the next few days.
1t will re present the completed efforts OF
the conference, and with the signing con-
Guided the conference Will adjourn. The
terms OF the treaty or convention VIII fol-
low the lines Of: the proposition cOnsid-
cred by the conference and referred with
favorable recomme ndatlon to the authorl-
ties at ST. Peters burc and Toxic.
The essential feature OF the treaty or
convention is for the suspension OF pelagic
sealing for such g period as will permit
the seal herds to revive. The period Of
this sus pension is not disclosed. One re-
port is that it will be for one year, sub
lect to extension. Another is that it Will
cover a term OF years. Butt the exact dura-
tion OF The suspension cannot be yerihed
The conference resumed its sessions at
the Stale Department, but no Official
done or the plans In view.
The attitude which Great Britain Will
assume toward the proposition and the
treaty which is to take its place is awaited
with much interest. Thus far the Brit ish
authorities have not been informed as to
what the conference proposes doing. At
the.same time the British expert, Professor
Darcy Thompson, has had styera. long
talks with Mr.. Foster and Mr.. II am lin,
nd T haU haa nj q S,afi iSf
nature that it is now believed that an
am.ca bic understanding will, be reached
by ali parties concerned If Canada showed
a disposition to assent TO the agreement
But Canada still stands inrhe way and
the continued abssnce of: the Canad IAN ex-
pert, Mr.. Macoun,. is regarded in the light
OF diplomatic discourte<yr not only to
the Uni. ed States Dut also 10 the. British
Government. The f reign Office named
him with Professor. Thorn pson as an ex-
pert to come TO Washington. Professor
Thompson came a t once, but mr.: NJ acoun
has remained away:. The Ottawa Goy-
eminent has sent no explanation of this
action. -:
The Canadian is apparently % blIyious to
all lnQuiTi S. 1t Is though that the pres:
ence of Mr.. Hamlih as fe- American ex-
rert in the eBrftish- Am ERICA n IN ee tin g NAV
bs:tae cause OF Canada's inaetion. LORD
Salisbury specifically stated in accepting
the proposition for a meeting shat It was
to be one between expeFts. To this end
the British expert, Thompson, and the
Canadian expert, Macoun, were; named.
il beng expected that the United States
would name as its expert Professor Jordan.
Mr. Hamlin was named, and IL is uh-
:derstood. t. at this is viewed rather. in the
light of naming counselor or diploma.
as; the United States representative rather
than an expert. While no ottirias. objec-
tion was made to the appofntm mt 1T IS
believed to account in: part for C..ipadt's S
Gelay in sending her expert to. Washing.
ton.
n mention rs made in the convention
oflne killing of1sealsin case Great Bsitain
and Canada do:not cooperate; -. =.
: =. 1t is poin ted out that; Russia and Japan
cond not adopt relal!atoYy steps against
Can ada, as they have no border interest
vita her. Any action against Canada,
theretorei must be taken by the. United
States atone. -. -.
:. Mr.. Foster gave reception to nigh to
the Russian, Japanese ana British dele
gates and experts. Professor Thomp on
was present. but tine British bassy off.
ciaIs we're not represented, owing TO the
month of mourning imposed by the death
of the Daebess of Teck.: ::