Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1897-11-19
THEY GET TOGETHER
Sealing Experts Reach a Unani-
nous Agreement.
a BASIS FOR FINAL SETTLEMENT.

canadians Urge Selection of an In
( ternatiOnal Commission to Settle
Other Pending Controversies
of Importance.
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-
diMon of the seal herds, and the diplo-
matte representatives of the respective
governments reached an understanding
by which they hope at later day to
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 to accomplish
this end. This proposition was fully
discussed and an agreement reached
that the Canadian officials would put
their views in writing after. returning
to Ottawa and submit them to the au-
thorities here. All parties concerned
say that the outlook is favorable to
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. This agreement was reached
after painstaking comparison of notes,
and the results were announced in an
official statement by Gen. Foster as
follows:
The Agreement.
"The delegates to the fur seal conference
have agreed unanimously on certain prop
ositions touching the fur seal herds of
,Behring sea. The report contains 1G prop
Iositions. which are briefly epitomized as
follows: That the Pribylof herd has de-
clined in numbers from 1884 to 1897; that
the number was formerly three to five times
that which now exists; that the death
rate among pups is great, not more than
one-half to one-third surviving to the age
of three years: that the number of breed
ing females in 1896 and 1897 was between
100000 to 100000; that the decrease from
1895 to 1887 was notable, though Its ex-
tent could not be definitely determined;
that land killing Of males as now prac-
ticed does no harm to the herds; that the
pelagic sealers respect the limitations Of
the law; that pelagic sealing involves in
discriminate killing: that the catch at sea
contains marked excess of females; that
the killing Of males on land is the cause
OF this: that among the females killed
are not only those both nursing and preR-
nant. but also many who are Immature OF
who have already lost their pups; that
the fur seal being polygamous, large
number of males may be killed with Inn
punity; that females cannot be killed in
similar numbers without checking the In
crease OF the herd or bringing about an
actual decline: that a small number Of fe-
males, less than the annual increment of
breeders, might be taken without producing
actual decrease: that excessive pelagic
sealing has led to reduction in the herd
that pelagic sealing has Of late fallen off
in greater ratio than the herd has this
producing tendency toward equilibrium
In numbers; that in estimating the future
conditions of the herd must be taken into
consideration reductions in the number OF
surviving pups caused by the pelagic
in danger of actual determination so long
as its haunts on land are protected and
the protected zone is maintained; that both
land and sea killing now yield an inconsid-
cradle profit either to the lessees or to the
pelagic sealers themselves"
other Topics Discussed.
/ Following the agreement of the ex-
perts the diplomatic officials assem-
bled at Gen. Fosters house to discuss
the larger question of putting an end
to pelagic sealing and Of settling other
border controversies. Owing to the
continued illness of Sir Julian Paunce.
3ote, who is confined to his room, the
British government was represented by
the first secretary of the British EN-.
bassy, Mr.. Adam. Sir Wilfrid Laurie1
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 result Of the long and friendly talk
between Sir Wilfrid and Secretary
Sherman, the latter had written to the
Canadian premier stating that the pres
tdent had empowered Gen. Foster t.
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
to conclude treaties covering these sub
5ects. This gave the meeting broad
significance. 1t began at four p. m. an6
lasted until seven o'clock.
Canadians Want Commission.
During these three hours the entir,
range Of border affairs was discussed
Primarily the purpose of the meeting
was to secure an agreement as t.
Behring sea. The Canadians made i
clear, however, that they wished any
plan Of settlement to take broade,
scope than the one subject of Behrin.
sea and to embrace the many source
OF friction along the border. In thi
connection the plan of an internationa
commission was discussed at grea
length. The Canadians felt that tn
commission afforded the best means O
reconciling all differences and of open
ing the way to reciprocity. The discus
sion was Of the most friendly natur
throughout and no sharp difference
were allowed to crop out. 1t was felt
however, that the plan of commission
was too large question for immcdiat
determination. A final understandin,
was reached, therefore, that the Cana
dian proposition should be reduced t
writing as basis for further negotia
lions. This closed the conference, an
the officials said their farewell
expressing satisfaction in the cordis
feeling which had characterized tn
meetings Of the last ten days.
HENRY GEORGE MEMORIAL
Public Asked to Give Money for 1,
Erection.
New York, Nov. lit has been d.