The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-11-17
SEALING CONFERENCE ENDS
EXPERTS UNANIMOUSLY AGREE ON
All FACTS RELATING TO SEALS.

Washington, Nov. 16.-The Bering sea
meeting, in which representatives OF
Great Britain, Canada and the United
States have participated, came to
close tonight, the seal experts making
a unanimous report concerning the
condition Of the seal herds and the
diplomatic representatives Of the re-
spective governments reaching an un-
derstanding by which they hope at a
later day to effect final adjustment, not
only of the Bering sea question, but of
other pending border controversies. For
the present, however, no final action
was taken as to the suspension Of pela-
gic sealing.
The unanimous agreement Of the ex-
perts brings the governments together
for the first time on all facts relating
to the seals. This agreement was
reached after painstaldng comparison
of notes and the results were announc-
ed in an official statement made public
by General Foster, as follows:
1.-THE delegates to the fur seal confer
ence have agreed unanimously on GER
tain propositions touching the fur seal
herd of Bering sea. The report con-
tains sixteen propositions, which are
briefly epitomized as follows
"That the Pribyloff herd has declined
in numbers from 1884 to 1897; that the
number was formerly three to five
times that which now exists; that the
death rate among pups is great, not
more than one-half to one-third sur
viving to the age Of three years; that
the number of breeding females in 1896
and 1897 was between 100000 and $780,
900; that the decrease from 1896 to 1897
was notable, though its extent could
not be definitely determined; that land
killing of males, as now practiced, does
no harm to the herd; that the pelagtc
sealers, respect the limitations of the
law; that pelagic sealing involves indis-
criminate killing; that the catch at
sea contains a marked excess of fe-
males; that the killing of males on land
is the cause of this; that among the
females killed are not only those both
using and pregnant, but also many
who are immature or who have already
lost their pups; that the fur seal being
palygamous a large number of males
may be killed with impunity; that fe-
males cannot be killed in similar num-
bers without checking the increase of
the herd or bringing about an actual
decline; that a small number Of fe-
males, less than the annual increment
Of breeders might be taken without
producing actual decrease; that ex-
cessive pelagic sealing has led to a re-
duction in the herd; that pelagic seal
ing has of late fallen off in greater
ratio than the herd has, thus producing
tendency toward equilibrium in num-
bers; that in estimating the future con-
ditions of the herd must be taken into
consideration, reduction in the number
of surviving pups caused by the pelagic
catches of 1894-5; that the herd is not
in danger of actual determination so
long as it's haunts on land are pro-
tected and the protected zone is MAIN
tanned; that both land and sea killing
now yield an inconsiderable profit
either to the lesseees or the pelagic
sealers."
The delegates signing the agreement
are as follows:
Charles Sumner Hamlin, David Starr
Jordan, Darcy Wentworth Thompson
James Melville Macoun.
Following the programme of the ex-
perts the diplomatic officials assem-
bled at General Fosters house to dis
cuss the larger question of putting an
end to pelagic sealing and of settling
other border controversies. General
Fosters powers had been materially
ay1n e,;, I,a ,,f &la
dian officials for as a result of the long
and friendly talk between. Sir Wilfrid
and Secretary Sherman, the latter had
written to the Canadian premier stat
ing that the president had empowered
General Foster to treat on the various
border questions which Sir Wilfrid had
called to the attention of Mr. Sherman
and with the cooperation of the Brit
ish government to conclude treaties
governing these subjects This gave
the meeting a board significance. 1t
began at D. m. and lasted until 7.
During these three hours the entire
| range of border affairs were discussed.
Primarily the purpose of the meeting
was to secure an agreement on Behring
sea. The Canadians made it clear how
ever, that they wished any plan of set
tlement to take broader scope than
the one subject of Behring sea, and
| to embrace the many sources of fric-
tion along the border.
In this connection the plan of an in
| ternational commission was discussed
at great length. The Canadians felt
that the commission afforded the best
| means Of reconciling all the differences
and of opening the way to reciprocity.
The discussion was of the most friend
ly nature throughout and no sharp
| differences were allowed to crop out. 1t
was felt, however, that the plan of a
commission was too large question
for immediate determination. A final
| understanding was reached, therefore
| that the Canadian proposition should
be reduced to writing as basis for
| further negotiations. This closed the
conference and the officials said their
farewells, expressing satisfaction in the
| cordial feeling which had characterized
| the meetings of the last ten days. Sir
| Wilfrid and Sir Louis leave at / O'Clock
| tomorrow morning for Ottowa.