The herald., 1897-10-08
For EngIand's Refusal to
Confer
SEAL CONFERENCE SCHEMES
NOW SEEM LIKELY TO FAIL
ALTOGETHER
The State Department Will Agree to
Conference Between England
and the United States
Associated Press Special Wire.


WASHINGTON, Oct. THE state
department has received full informa-
tion as to the position of the British
government on the proposed Bering sea
conference This proves to be much
more complete than the brief cable re-
ports from London indicate, as the de-
partment has been advised not only OF
Great Britain's declination to enter q
conference unless it is limited to the
experts of the United States, Great Brit
ain and Canada, but also has been in
formed quite fully as to what led the
Marquis of Salisbury to this conclus-
ion.
The British view, as laid before the
state department is that at no stage Of
the negotiations has their government
agreed to a conference except that be-
tween the experts of Great Britain.
Canada and the United States. It IL
not questioned that Secretary Sherman
and Am bassador Hay made suggestions
that the conference should be between
the powers interested" and that some
of the notes from the United States au-
thorities expressed a. desire to have
Russia and Japan take part in the
conference. But it is pointed out that
these suggestions came from the United
States and until accepted would have
no effect in determining the nature OF
the conference So far as the suggeS-
tions were accepted, the note Of Lord
| Salisbury on July 28th is said to stand
alone, and this note, it is stated, men
| toned only conference between the
experts of the United States, Great
Britain and Canada.
| The latest correspondence on the sub
ects leads to considerable doubt as to
who will participate in the coming meet
| ings. 1t has been understood that the
difference would be bridged over by
holding two meetings. in one Of which
Russia and Japan would participate
without Great Britain, while a second
meeting would be held between the ex-
perts Of Great Britain and the United
States. 1t is understood that AM sa-
dor Hay was directed to effect ST 1t L an
arrangement in case Great Britain de-
clined to enter the general conference.
| There is now some question whether
the British authorities will participate
in any way until a definite understand
ing is reached as to who will take part
as there Is understood to be a reluctance
on the part of Great Britain to engage in
the conference at all, and some doubt
as to whether the British experts will
leave England to attend either limited
or unlimited conference at psesent. The
conference Is 50 near at hand, the fret
plan having been to hold it October
23d that negotiations are necessarily
conducted by cable and by this means a
satisfactory adjustment may yet be
reached.
THE OFFICIAL PROGRAM
NEW YORK, Oct. IA dispatch to
the Herald from Washington, D. c.,
says: The administration proposes to
make clear to Great Britain the embar-
raSsment she has caused this govern
ment by her refusal to participate with
Russia and, Japan in the proposed seal
ing conference.
A note is now in course of preparation
at the State Department which will dep
recate the withdrawal of the British
government at such late hour and call
attention to the fact that the communi-
cation of May 10th which Secretary
Sherman addressed to Lord Salisbury
announced that Russia and Japan would
| be invited to take part in the conference.
The British government has no reason
able ground at this time for refusing to
participate when she had already ac-
cepted an invitation to take part, know.
ing that Russia and Japan would be
represented in the conference.
1t is also understood that the adminis-
tratlon will yield to the inevitable and
ask Great Britain to send representa-
tives to meet those of the United States.
There is no intention, however to
agandon the proposed conference with
the representatives OF Russia and Japan.
These gentlemen will reach the United
States ir, few days The latter confer
ence will be held it is thought after
representatives of the United States and
Great Britain have had a meeting and
reached conclusion, and the delegates
OF Russia and Japan will then be asked
to ratify the action of the Anglo-Ameri-
can conference.
Good Enough to Sell