The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-06
SEAL TREATY NEGOTIATIONS.
Prominent Canadians Will Take Part
md Also DiAcuaa RecinrOcitY.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5.-A new phase of
the Bering sea negotiations developed to-
day, when the State Department was ad-
vised that Sir Wilfred Laurier, premier of
Canada, and Sir Louis Davis, minister of
marine and fisheries in the Laurier Cabinet,
would come here early next week to take
part in the negotiations. Later in the day
a dispatch from Ottawa reserved apart
ments for Sir Wilfred and Sir Louis and
party at the Shoreham beginning on next
Tuesday evening. The British embassy was
not advised however and it was under
stood that the British Foreign Office was
equally unaware of the fact that the chief
officials of Canada would come to Wash
ington TO treat in person on the subject
Up to this time the British authorities had
strenuousy insisted that the Bering sea
meeting was to be confined strictly to an
exchange of technical information between
experts" and they have resisted any
larger consideration of the subject which
would involve general principles. Lord
Salisburys letter to Secretary Sherman
carefully limited the meeting to one of "ex-
perts," and in execution of this Professor
Thompson was named as the British expert
anG Professor Macoun as the expert of
Canada. Notwithstanding this strict limita-
tion adopted at London, the two chief offi-
cials of Canada will come to Washington
prepared to discuss the subject from a much
broader standpoint than any thus far con-
ceded in London How far they will be able
tc treat concerning Bering sea, reciprocity,
or other subjects is question of interest
ing conjecture. The State Department is
much gratified at their coming as it is felt
to offer the first prospect of considering
the sealing question on broader lines than
heretofore.
Sir Wilfred Laurier is regarded as the
head of that element in Canada favorable
to the most cordial relations with the United
States. The Liberal party of which he is
the leader, came into power on the issue
of closer commercial relations with the
United States. The Conservative party Ie-
sisted this as tending toward the annexation
of Canada to the United states and as dis
loyal to the mother country. Sir Wilfred
has not been an anneXationiSt. but has
favored the most liberal trade arrangement
forts and tn )se of his party associates to-
ward securing a reciprocity treaty with the
United States have been unaVaiing, but
within the last few days the State Depart
ment has intimated that it would view with
favor negotiations for reciprocity between
Canada and the United States. The COM
ing of Sir Wilfred at this time is therefore
Of more than usual interest. not only i'm it's
bearing on Boring sea negotiations, but also
in connection with Canadian reciprocity
The so-Japanese-American treaty re-
lating to the Bering sea was not signed to-
day, the statement being made that the
formalties We're not yet completed When
the conference adjourned last Monday II
was with the understanding that all pre-
liminaries would be arranged by to-day and
the treaty signed but the issuance of pow
ers as ENJOYS Is taking more time than was