The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1897-11-20
THE EXPERTS FINISH.
Scaling Conference at Washing
ton at an End.
Agreement Is Reached Which MAY
Form "a basis for Final settlement
Other border Controversies
Are Talked over.

Washington, Nov. 1.-THE Behring
sea meeting, in which representatives
OF Great Britain, Canada and the United
States have participated, came TO close
Tuesday night. The seal experts make
a unanimous report concerning the con-
dition OF the seal herds, and the diplo-
matte representatives Of the respective
governments reached an understanding
by which they hope at later day 20
effect final adjustment not only OF the
Behring sea question, but Of other
pending border controversies. For the
present, however, no final action 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 10 accomplish
this end, This proposition was fully
discussed and an agreement reached
that the Canadian officials would put
their views in writing after returning
20 Ottawa and submit them TO the au-
thorities here. All parties concerned
say that the outlook is favorable to a
satisfactory adjustment. The unani-
nous agreement OF the experts brings
the governments together for the first
time on all the facts relating TO the
seals.
Following the agreement Of the ex-
perts the diplomatic officials assem-
bled at Gen. Fosters house 10 discuss
the larger question Of putting an end
20 pelagic sealing and OF settling other
border controversies. Owing 10 the
continued illness OF Sir Julian Paunce-
fote, who Is confined to his room, the
British government was represented by
the first secretary OF the British en-
bassy, Mr.. Adam. Sir Wilfrid Laurer
and Sir Louis Davies were present in
behalf Of Canada. Gen. Fosters power
has been materially 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 10 the
Canadian premier stating that the pres
ident had empowered Gen. Foster TO
treat on the various border questions
which Sir Wilfrid had called TO the at
tention OF Mr.. Sherman. and with the
cooperation Of the British government
20 conclude treaties covering these sub
jects. This gave the meeting broad
significance. II began al four p. IN. and
lasted until seven o'clock.
During these three hours the entire
range of border affairs was discussed.
Primarily the purpose Of the meeting
was 10 secure an agreement as TO
Behring sea. The Canadians made IL
clear, however, that they wished any
plan of settlement to take a broader
scope than the one subject of Behring
sca and 10 embrace the many sources
Of friction along the border In this
connection the plan OF an international
commission was discussed at great
length The Canadians felt that the
commission afforded the best means Of
reeonciling all differences and OF open
ing the way 10 reciprocity. The discus
sion was Of the most friendly nature
throughout and no sharp differences
were allowed 10 crop out. II was felt,
however that the plan Of commission
was too large a question for immediate
determination. A final understanding
was reached, therefore, that the Cana
dian proposition should be reduced 10
writing MS basis for further ncgotia-
tions. This closed the conference. and
the officials said their farewells.
expressing satisfaction in the cordial
feeling which had characterized the
meetings OF the last ten days.