Evening journal., 1897-11-22
MAY VIEW IT KINDLY
Attitude Of Britain on a Cana
dian Commission.
CONSCIOUS OF CAIN BY RECIPROCITY
Since the Expert Agreement on the Seal
ing Question Protocol Has Been
Signed Aiding In Interpreting
the Conferences Result.

WASHINGTON. Nov. 22.-There is
good reason to believe that the British
government will view with favor the
formation Of a commission to clear up
vexatious questions between the United
States and Canada. This attitude viii
be important in the consummation Of
the commission plan. for the best ef-
forts of the United States and Canada
toward a general settlement would
come to naught unless the imperial
government approved the efforts and
stood ready TO give them official legis-
lation in the form of q treaty.
At first the sharp differences aroused
by the recent Bering sea meeting led
10 the belief that Great Britain might
stand in the way OF a commission
which would discuss among other
questions. such imperial subjects as the
tariff. The British have been tenacious
OF holding the advantages secured by
Canadas preferential British tariff,
and it was thought the colonial Office
at London would not view with favor
any movement by commission which
would disturb this preferential tariff.
It appears. however, that the British
authorities are sincerely anxious to
close up the various irritating ques-
tions which have long existed between
Canada and the United States, through
the medium OF q commission or other
wise, and that no idea is entertained
that when the commission dealt with
the imperial subject OF the tariff It
would involve any disturbance of the
| British Canadian tariff relations.
There are said to be many articles
such as coal and fish, which are not
exchanged between Great Britain ana
| Canada on such articles. therefore.
any reciprocal arrangement between
the United States and Canada would
! have no influence on British trade with
! Canada The home government is said
to be fully conscious of the advantages
which Canada may secure in the ex-
tensive American markets lying along
side her, and there is understood to be
every desire TO aid Canada in the en-
| joyment of reciprocal trade with this
country. Already the British embas-
sador has been authorized from Lon
don TO begin negotiations for reel
procity treaties between the United
states and the British West India colo
MES This is cited to show the favor
which the London authorities exhibit
toward securing the best reciprocal ad-
vantages for British colonies 1t is said
Canadian reciprocity. In any event
the work of a commission would be
preliminary only. and IL would remair
for the British government to give Il
effect by formal treaty.
The subjects other than the tariff
such as border immigration, fishing II
the great lakes. etc, are not of an i'm
perial character and concern only tn
United States and Canada. In these. /
is expected, Great Britain has no inter
est whatever, except to see that the
are settled on terms satisfactory Z
Canada The lake fisheries have beel
, a prolific source Of trouble. 1t is claim
ed that the fish Of the lakes, particular
" whitefish, are being exterminated b.
the lax laws OF some Of the states Dor
derine on the lakes. The destruction
, of the fish is said TO be analogous {
the destruction of the seals in BERN
, sea. and one of the subjects whic
Canada would urge before the commits
sion would be the protection of the fish
cries of the lakes.
Professor darcy Thompson, the Brit
ish seal expert. having concluded hi
labors here, has gone to Toronto, IN
. tending to reach New York In time
u take the Lucania for Liverpool later
the week. His trip TO Canada Is pei
: sonal and has no connection with pend
Z ing Bering sea negotiations. ProfessC
y Thompson expresses himself as we
il pleased with the recent meeting of I'll
& experts and with its result.
: Since the expert agreement We
il reached a protocol has been signed b
Mr.. Hamlin. chairman Of the expe
e meeting, and the two secretaries, M
Venning in behalf of Canada and M
Clark in behalf of the United State
This protocol sets forth the circun
stances under which the meeting W.
y held. with the minutes of the proceed
ings and to some extent aids in the il
=, terpretation of the agreement by shoy
y ~ ing all the circumstances leading l
n to Il.
Sir Julian Pauncefote, the Briti
ambassador. has been confined to h
:, room for the last two weeks with r
- turn Of his old ailment of rheumatisi
1t prevented his attendance at the b
ring sea meetings. and in this al
all other affairs of the embassy N
CO Adam, first secretary. has been
nd charge. In the meantime such que
at tions as reciprocity with the Britt
3 West Indies the general arbitrati
d. treaty. etc. have been in allegiance, b
they are likely TO come up for discy
ns sion with the authorities here as. so
n as Sir Julian is fully recovered.
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