Evening journal., 1897-11-17
THEIR WORK DONE.
The Canadian Statesmen Have
Started For Home.
NO FINAL ACTION ABOUT SEALING.
Important Conference at General FOs-
ter's House Regarding Border Ques-
tions Which In the Past Have caus-
ed International Complexities.

WASHINGTON. Nov. 1.-THE Bering
sea meeting in which representatives Of
Great Britain, Canada and the United
States have participated came to
close last night the seal experts maxi
ing a unanimous report concerning the
condition of the seal herds and the dip
lomatic reports of the respective gov
ernments reaching an understanding by
which they hope at a later day to effect
final adjustment, not only of the Bering
sea question, but of other pending bor-
der controversies.
For the present, however, no final ac-
ton was taken as to the suspension OF
pelagic sealing The Canadians urged
that other questions be embraced in
any plan of settlement and suggested
an international commission to accom-
plish this end. This proposition was
fully discussed and an agreement
reached that the Canadian officials
should put their views in writing after
returning TO Ottawa and submit them
TO the authorities here. All parties con-
cerned say that the outlook is favora-
BILE to a satisfactory adjustment
The unanimous agreement Of the ex-
perts brings the governments together
for the first time on all the facts re-
lating to the seals. This agreement was
reached only after painstaking compar-
ison Of notes
Following the agreement 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. Owing TO
the continued illness of Sir Julian
Pauncefote. who is confined to his
room. the British government was rep
resented by the first secretary of the
British embassy. Mr.. Adam. Sir VIII
frid Laurier and Sir Louis Davies were
present in behalf of Canada.
General Fostors powers had been ma
terially enlarged since the coming of
the Canadian officials, for. as a result
OF the long and friendly talk between
Sir Wilfrid and Secretary Sherman, the
latter had written to tae Canadian pre-
mier stating that the president had en-
powered General Foster to treat on the
various border questions which Sir Will
frid had called to the attention of Mr.
Sherman and, with the cooperation OF
the British government, to conclude
treaties covering these subjects.
This gave the meeting a broad sig
IllHtdUtt. II DtEdn dA 4 r. Ill., anu AooANA
until Z. During these three hours tho
entire range of border affairs was dis
cussed. Primarily the purpose Of thu
meeting was to secure an agreement OF
Bering sea. The Canadians made 4
clear. however that they wished am
plan of settlement to take a broade
scope than the one subject Of Berinl
sea and to embrace the many source
of friction along fhp border
In this connection the plan Of an in
ternationl commission was discussed a
great length. The Canadians felt tina
the commission afforded the best mean
of reconciling all differences and O
opening the way to reciprocity The dis
cussion was Of the most friendly ma
ture throughout, and no sharp differ
ences were allowed to crop out. It wa
felt, however. that the plan Of a com
mission was too large a question 70
immediate determination. A final un
derstanding was reached. therefore, tina
the Canadian proposition should be re
duced to writing as basis for furthe
negotiations.
This closed the conference, and tn
officials said their farewells, expressin
satisfaction in the cordial feeling whic
had characterized the meeting of tn
last ten days. Sir Wilfrid and 81
Louis later left Washington for OF
tawa-