Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-06
England Formally Withdraws From
Coming Sealing Conference.
DUE TO CANADA'S lNSISTENCE
Latter Fears Being Outvoted by
Russia and Japan.
FACTGENERALLY REGRETTED

| LONDON, October 6-The officials CT the
British foreign office have communicated
| to the United States ambassador Col John
Hay, the final decision that the govern
| me mt of Great Britain must refuse to take
part in any sealing conference with repre-
sentatives of Russia and Japan. The Brit
| 1sh government, however, asserts its will
ingness to confer with the United States
alcne but it insists that Russia and Japan
are not interested in the Bering sea seals
to degree emitting them to representa-
| tion at the conference.
The British government does not suggest
| any date for a conference with the United
| States, and it is thought probable in Lon
| den that Great Britain's withdrawal will
| result in two meetings, one between the
United States, Russia and Japan and the
| ether betwe cen the United States, Great
| Britain and Canada.
Due to CaDada's Attitude.
1t cannot be too strongly reiterated that
| the withdrawal of Great Britain from the
| Washington conference is due to Canada's
| ipsistence, and that until the Canadian Of
ficials informed the foreign office here of
| Canadas S objections to meeting Russia and
| Japan, cut of fear of being outvoted, Great
| Britain fully intended to enter the confer
| ence.
first announcement of Great Britain's un-
| Willingness to take part in the conference
would have been final, but the United
| States ambassador SO plainly pointed out
| the unusual character of Great Britain's S
change of mind at SO late day, that some
| of the foreign Office officials decided to re-
| open the question, and have been endeavor-
| ing, but unsuccessfully, to secure Canada s
acquieScence.
Sir Julian's Friendly Efforts.
Sir Julian Pauncefote. the British arnbas-
sador to the United States, also used his
influence in a spirit of friendliness to the
| United States, in efforts to secure the ad-
herence Of Great Britain to the original
program
The diplomats here consider that Great
Britains course was not courteous to Rus
| sia. and Japan.
Experts who have been investigating the
| sales of seal skins in London in order to
| obtain evidence for the use of the United
States at the conference, have proof that
| 50 per cent of the skins sold by the Ca
madam companies are those of female SEALS
and that most of the animals were shot.
No Advices From Ambassador Hay.
Secretary Sherman said this afternoon
| that nothing had been received from AM
| bassaGor Hay TO show that Great Britain
had finally refused to enter conference
on the seal fisheries. Although not officially
confirmed, the officials of the State Depart
ment give full credence to the report. inss-
| much as the recent negotiations between
Ambassador Hay and the London foreign
Office all tended in tina: direction. The
British contention is that the proposed con-
ference was to consider the seal question
on the basis of the regulations adopted by
the Paris arbitration tribunal and that
there were properly only two parties to it
the United States and Great Britain. it is
also pointed out that although the United
States suggested the participation of Rus
STA and Japan, the suggestion was never
approved by Great Britain
On the contrary it is alleged that Great
Britain has always argued that the United
States and Great Britain could adjust The
matter in manner to the best interests of
all without outside assistance.
Two Conferences Likely
Great Britain's declination to take part
In general conference will probably re-
sui; in two conferences on the seal question
one between the United States and Great
Britain, originally arranged, and the
other in which the United States, Russia
and Japan will take part. In case this
course is deemed best it is probable that
the Anglo-American conference will be held
first, In order that whatever agreement IL
reached may be submitted for the approval
OF Russia and Japan.
The situation Is embarrassing to the off,
GERS oil this government, and it will require
considerable tact and diplomacy to explain
1t to the delegates of Russia and Japan
now on their way to Washington ON the in
vitation of the United States. Mr.. Botkine
the Russian delegate, is expected at New
York in a few days. The japanese dele
gates will arrive at San Francisco tomor-
row on the Pacific Mail steamer