The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-26
Prefers a Direct Agreement with the
United States After the Examina-
ton of Reports of Experts.
FEARS RUSSIA AND JAPAN
WILL SIDE WITH UNCLE SAM If A
CONFERENCE BE HELD.
Views of the Cars Representatives
Austrian Premier Wounded in
Duel with DIR. Wolf.

LONDON, Sept "a decided sensation
was caused in diplomatic circles here to-
day by the unauthorized announcement that
Great Britain had notified the United States
that she could not participate in the sealing
conference at Washington, if Russia and
Japan took part in it. The officials of the
British Foreign Office, it is said. declined
to give the reasons for this change of pol
icy, but they admitted, it was reported.
that the Marquis of Salisbury had notified
the United States ambassador, Col. John
Hay, of his decision in this matter, though
The premer's decision was not absolute.
This alleged action of the Marquis of Sails
bury caused surprise, in view of the fact
that he accepted for Great Britain the in
vitation to take part in the conference with
the full knowledge that Russia and Japan
were included in the invitation. 1t is known
that the Canadian government requested
the withdrawal of Great Britain from the
sealing conference, and the government. il
is said, unwillingly acceded to this request
in accordance with it's policy of cultivating
the friendship of the colonies. even at the
risk of offending other powers concerned.
1 is thought in diplomatic circles that Can
ada's action in the premises was influenced
by the fear that Great Britain would be
outvoted by the United States, Russia and
Japan, whose views towards the protection
of seals coincide. Great Britain has not
notified Russia or Japan of her intention
not to take part in the conference and her
alleged notice to the United States was
sent too late for the other three govern
ments to change their arrangements.
When thse rumors became public the cor
respondent of the Associated Press visited
the British Foreign Office and interviewed
one of the officials there. He said: Great
Britain has not yet withdrawn, but the
discussion of the situation will go on with
the United States ambassador here. The
probable result will be that Great Britain
will ask that experts reports be submitted
to her. and she will then decide whether
or not the necessity exists OF joining i'll
the conference. If the reports point out
some easier remedy for the situation, a re-
suit can be arrived at by agreement be-
tween Great Britain and the United States
without the necessity OF conference
which was only accepted al referendum. In
ally event, 1t IS probable the United States
viii obtain as much as If conference was
held
Inquiries made at the Russian embassy
here show the officials were greatly sur
prlsed at Great brtain'S action. They said
the British oreign Office, in the discus
sion of the arrangement for the conference,
had never even minated that disSatisfac-
ton was experienced at Russia's participa-
tiCn in the conference Apparently, the
Russian o1ncials add, Great britain realized
the impOSsibillty of Russia and Japan with
drawing from the conference and leaving
a clear field for Great Britain and the
United States
The departure of Sir Julian Pauncefote,
the British ambassador to the United
States, and one of Great Britain's repre-
scntatives at the sealing conference, has
been postponed until Oct. 20, which would
make him arrive in the United States too
late to take part in the sealeries delibera-
tons. Summing the matter up it seems
evident that Great Britain has decided to
withdraw from further discussion of the
seanng question, She has not replied to
Secretary ShermanS dispatch on the sub
ject, and it IS not expected she will make
answer to it. The note of the secretary of
berlain, to the Marquis of Salisbury, CIV
ing the British contentious. has not been
communicated to the United States, as it
was merely a domestic public document in
tended to present the British arguments to
the puolic without continuing the debate
With the United States. 1t was only on
bury notified the United States ambassador
that Great Britain cannot take part in the
sealing conference if Russia and Japan
participated in it.
The Pail Mall Gazette this afternoon pub
fishes a dispatch from Paris giving the
substance of an interview with Pierre
Botkine formerly second secretary of the
Russian legation at Washington, and now
the Russian delegate to the Boring sea
New York, from Hamburg, Sept. 30, in
which he is quoted as saying he does not
contemplate any difficulty in coming to an
agreement on the sealing question, as he
believes the excellent reports of Messrs.
Jordan Thompson and Grebintsky will en-
able the delegates to arrive at a prompt
and friendly understanding. M. Botkine
expects the conference to last six weeks,
ard he anticipates that the results will be
the signing of a treaty embracing the con-
cessions each of the four powers is in
cned to make. There is every reason he
adds why Great Britain and Japan. the
heaviest dealers in the seal skins should
come to an arrangement with Russia and
America in order to prevent the extermi-
nation of the seals. Throughout the inter-
view M Botkine seems to support the
American contentious. He says Russia and
America are the powers most interested.