The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-07
Important Agreement for the PrOtec-
ton of Seal Herds by Suspen-
sion of PeIagic killing.
TO BE RATIFIED BY SENATE
BEFORE THE TREATY BECOMES
BINDING ON THE THREE POWERS.
Annual Report of James N. Tyner, As
sistant Attorney General for the
POsfOfEice Department..

WASHINGTON, Nov. ga convention
between the United States, Russia and Ja-
pan, looking to the joint protection of the
seals, was signed at the State Department
to-day at 12:15 p. m. 1t will require the
ratification of the Senate to become effect
i've. The signing of the treaty took place
in the large diplomatic room at the State
Department, and was attended by the usual
formalities. The delegates of the various
governments assembled at least an hour and
a half before the hour appointed for the
formal signing of the document and were
met by General Foster. There were some
preliminaries to be disposed of before all
was ready for the signatures, and the del
egates were obliged to leave the department
for short visits to their legations in order
to obtain seals and certain papers of au-
thorization that were necessary.
Finally, just at noon, all was ready, and,
led by General Foster the delegates passed
into the diplomatic room and took their
places at the long table. There were for
the United States, Messrs. Foster, Hamlin
and Jordan; for Russia De Wollant Bot
kline and Routkowsky, and for Japan,
Charge Matsui Fulfil and Mitsikuri Secre-
tary Sherman was not present as the gov
eminent was fully represented by it's del
egates. The credentials Of the parties were
read in turn, and after the treaty had
been carefully inspected, the signatures
were attached. The first signatures were
those of Messrs. Foster, Hamlin and Jor
dan, and the others were attached in order,
according to the particular copy of the doc
ument held by the delegates. There were
three copies of this one for each nation
represented, and the delegates of each ma
4;< l,o;V- f,rcf
ing OF the documents was attended by Mr..
De Wollant, the charge OF the Russian
government, and william Gwynne, the lat
ter being an expert in this line, having
sealed almost every treaty negotiated here
since the treaty of Washington. With the
affixing of the seals in wax, the formalities
concluded and there was an exchange of
congratulations over the consummaton of
the work.
The text of the treaty will not be given
cut by the State Department until final rat
ifications are exchanged. AS the document
must go to the Senate for it's approval,
custom requires that it be withheld from
publication in this manner 1t is said,
however, by those concerned that the gen
eral purpose of the treaty has already been
outlined in the press and 1t is likely that
all further interest that remains in the
document is the exact nature of the addi-
tonal restrictions that are to be imposed
upon pelagic sealing.
again assembled at the State Department
and formally signed the protocols, or rec
ords of the various phases of the negotia-
tions leading up to the final agreement.
1t is expected the meeting of the British
and American experts will take place next
week, according to the original programme.
unless there should be some Intervention
from the British Foreign Office. which is
not anticipated Meanwhile, the British ex-
pert, Professor Thompson, who is now in
Washington, will be acquainted with what
has already been accomplished by the gov
ernments of the United States, Russia and
Japan, and with the terms of the treaty.
LONDON Nov. 6-The British officials
regard the prompt agreement arrived at
between the United States, Russia and ia
pan. providing for a temporary suspension
of peagic sealing, as a vindicaton of their
refusal to enter into the conference, and as
demonstration OF their contention that an
understanding existed between the three
countries. 1t is not likely that Great Brit
air will consent to stop sealing. Her Maj
esty's government confidently expects a set
Element of the question by the United
States purchasing the Canadian interests.