New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-11
SEAL EXPERTS IN SESSION.
THE SECOND CONFERENCE BEGINS IN
WASHINGTON.

GREAT BRITAIN AND CANADA PRESENT
OTHER PURPOSES OF SIR wILFRiD
LAURIERs MISSION TO BE TAKEN
Up WHEN THE BEHRING SEA
QUESTION is SETTLED
Washington. Nov. 10.--In accordance with the
Arrangement made this morning. the sealing eX-
perts representing the United States. England
and Canada assembled at the State Department
about 2:30 o'clock this afternoon. They were
Messrs Jordan, Thompson and Macoun. In ad-
dition, John W. Foster and Mr.. Hamlin were In
attendance for the United States, and Sir Louis
Davies for Canada. Sir Julian Pauncefote sent
a note excusing himself from coming on account
OF Illness. The meeting lasted for about an
hour, and presumably the proceedings were
mainly preliminary. and designed to outline
plan OF procedure. MIR Hamlin was elected chair
man. 1t was officially announced that the pro-
ceedlngs were secret. in the sense that nothing
could be given out for publication before the
end OF the deliberations. Another meeting Will
be held at II o'clock tomorrow morning.
The treaty which was negotiated last week
between the United states and Japan and Russia
for the further protection Of the seals was not
referred to in to-days meeting. although It's gem
eral provisions are known TO the British dele
gates The feature OF the treaty is said to be
the short time It is to continue in force the
limit being one veal
Sir Wifrid Laurer Sir Louis Davies and the
other Canadian officials were busy to-day ar
ranging for the sealing meeting. The Canadian
Premier received callers in democratic fash
ion at his apartments In the Shoreham, but said
that It would be manifestly premature at this
stage Of the matter for him to discuss the out
look on the Behring Sea question or any other
subject which concerns the United States and
Canada He and Sir Louis desired TO confer
with the seal experts Of the United States and
Great Britain before indicating any course OF ac-
tion.
He made Il clear also, that they would give
their exclusive attention to this subject until
some conclusion was reached. and that other
questions. such as reciprocity immigration etc.
would not be discussed until the first purpose
OF the visit was accomplished 1t said that
the official purpose was to consider the BehrinB
Sea matter. and that future circumstances
would develop how far other questions should be
opened to consideration. When the subjects or
reciprocity and immigration were suggested to
Sir Wilfrid he automatically said that for the
present the Behring Sea matter was the only
one to which he and his associates were giving
their attention
John W Foster called the Premier early
in the day and later Sir Wilfrid and Sir Louis
Davies called on the British Ambassador, Sir
Julian Pancefote. who accompanied them in
call on Secretary Sherman. Professor Jordan,
the United States seal expert. called on ProfeS-
sor Thompson. the British expert. and Professor
Macoun, the expert Of Canada. and 1t was ar
ranged 10 have the meeting OF experts at the
state Department at o'clock this afternoon
An understanding has been reached that the
experts will conduct the meeting. but that the
others present will be free 10 ask questions and
exchange views Incidental to the exchange of
expert testimony This gives the meeting the
more important aspect OF conference among
diplomatic officials. although nominally Lord
Salisbury's original condition that il to he
only a meeting Of experts is being rigidly ad-
hered 10 In all the formalities Of the gathering
state Department officials. well those Of
Canada say that no definite line OF settlement
has vet presented itself and that the character
II the settlement will depend on the exchange
Of views between the experts. Much doubt pre-
walls 10 how far the treaty concluded last
Saturday between the United States and Russia
and Japan. relative 20 the suspension Of sealing
will have n bearing on the meeting
President Mckinley to-day received Sir Will
frd Laurier In the Blue Room at the White
House Secretary Sherman Introduced Sir Will
frd who accompanied by Sir Julian
Paunccfote the British Ambassador; Sir Louis
Davies and Professor Thompson. The visit was
entirely formal