Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-25
CANNOT TAKE PART
England Gives Notice Regarding the
Sealing Conference.
If RUSSIA AND JAPAN ENTER
Admission by Officials Of the For
eign Office.
NO ADV S n E r E


LONDON. September ga decided sem
sation has been caused in diplomatic cir
Giles here by Great Britain's notification to
the United States that she cannot partici-
pate in the sealing conference at WASH
irgtor if Russia and japan take part in it.
The officials of the British foreign office
Decline to give the reasons for this change
of policy. but they admitted that the Mar
quis of Salisbury had notified the United
States ambassador, Col John Hay. of his
decision in this matter. though the pre-
mier's decision is not abs olute.
The action of the Marquis of Salisbury is
all the more surprising in view Of the fact
that he accepted for Great Britain the in
yitation to take part in the conference,
with the full knowledge that Russia and
Japan were included in the invitation.
Canada's Request.
1t is known that the Canadian govern
nent requested the withdrawal of Great
Britain from the sealing conference. and
the government unwillingly acceded to this
request in accordance with its policy of
cuitivating the friendship of the colonies.
even at the risk of offending other powers
concerned.
1t is thought in diplomatic circles that
Canadas action in the premises was in
fuenced by the fear that Great Britain
would be odtvoted by the United States.
Russia and Japan. whose views regarding
the protection of seals coincide
Great Britain has not notified Russia or
Japan of her intention not to take part IN
the conference. and her notice to the Unit
ed States was sent too late for the other
I,.~s,-
n,ents.
Russia's Surprise.
Inquiries made at the Russian embassy
here show the officials were greatly sur
rrised at Great :Britain's withdrawal. and
were disposed not to believe the news when
1t was conveyed to them by representa-
tive of the Associated Press. They said
the British foreign office in the discussion
of the arrangement for the conference had
never even intimated that dissatisfaction
was experienced at RuSsia's participation
in the conference.
Apparently. the Russian officials add.
Great Britain realized the impossibility of
Russia and Japan Withdrawing from the
conference and leaving a clear field for
Great Britain and the United States.
The departure of Sir Julian Pauncefote.
the British ambassador, to the United
States. and one of Great Britain's repre-
sentatIves at the sealing conference, has
been postponed until October 26. which
would make MIN arrive in the United States
too late to take part in the sealing delib-
erations-
Summing the matter up, it seems evident
tfat Great Britain has decided to withdraw
from further discussion of the sealing ques-
ton. She has not replied to Secretary Sher-
mans dispatch the subject. and it is
not expected that she will make an answer
to it
The note of the secretary of state for the
colonies. Mr.. Joseph Chamberlain, to the
Marquis of Salisbury. giving the British
eoHfentioHs.- has not been communicated
to tn, United States as it was merely a
domestic public document. intended to pre-
sent the British arguments to the public
without continuing the debate with the
United States
L was only on Wednesday last that the
Marquis of Salisbury notified the United
States ambassador that Great Britain
could not take part in the sealing con-
ference If Russia and Japan participated
in it.
State Department Comment.
At the State Department 1t was said that
though Great Britain had been notified that
Japan and Russia had been invited to par
ticipate. Lord Salisbury had not given for
NAL assent to send a representative under
those conditions.
Preparations are in progress at the State
Department for the meeting next month";
and ample arrangements have been made
for the attendance of the United States ex-
perts who made a special investigation
during the past season of pelasic sealing
and its effect on seal life Although there