The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-09-28

eIga Observation-Disclosures Is Tim ed
as to Make the Proposed Conference al
impossibiiity
Chicago, Sept. Pa special 10 the
Tribune from Washington, D. c., says:
LAS an answer to Great Britain, who
after seeming 10 agree 20 a conference
between Canada and the United States
TO discuss certain phases of the Boring
sea question, has declined 10 be party
to the conference if Japan and Russia
are participants, il is not unlikely that
the delega lions Of the United States, ia
pan and Russia will proceed with the
consideration OF the questions at issue,
without regard 20 whether or not Lord
Salisbury changes MS mind This may,
however, cause some delay in the meet
ing OF tf1e conference.
General John w. Foster, the special
ambassador the United States in the
seal nego tons, secured The acceptance
by Russia OF an invitation to participate
Petersburg, this summer. Japan also
sent an acceptance.
Notification Of Great Britain's change
of attitude was received at the state de-
partment today.
Lord Salisbury, in his brief answer to
Secretary Shermans sensa fional note Of
May 10, accusing the British government
of bad faith in the seal fisheries matter,
signified his agreement 10 the proposal
for aconference to be held in Washing
ton next month and said that Canadian
would attend. In order
ing concerning the composition of the
conference, Ambassador Hay wrote to
Lord Salisbury that cit may not be out OF
place for me to recall to pour lordshiD
that, as I have already had occasion to
mention, the president expects the gov
interested in .he preservation of the seal
islands Of Boring sea, to be represented
at the conference
1.-THE ambassadors note was sent to
Lord Salisbury last July. but he waited
uneil this time, just On the eve Of the
answer received"
CANADA'S HAND SEEN.
London, Sept. "a decided sensa-
ton mas been caused in diplomatic cir
cles here by Great Britain's notification
to the United States that she cannot
in the seal conference at
Washington, if Russia and Japan take
part IN it.
The officials Of the foreign office de-
clined TO give the REASONS for this change
Of policy, but they admitted that the
Marquis of Salisbury had notified the
United States ambassador, Colonel John
Hay, of his decision in this matter,
though the premier's decision is not alb
solute.
The action of the Marquis Of Salisbury
is all the more surprising in view of the
fact that he accepted for Great Britain
the invitation TO take part in the confer
ence with the full knowledge that Rus
STA and Japan We're included in the in
vitanOn.
1t is known that the Canadian gov
requested the withdrawal OF
Great Britain from the sealing confer
snce and the government unwillingly ac-
ceded to this request in accordance with
is policy OF cultivatfng the friendship Of
the colonies, even at the risk Of Offend
ing other powers concerned.
It is thought in diplomatic circles that
Canadas action in the premises was in
iuenced by the fear that Great Britain
would be outvoted by the United States,
Russia and Japan, whose views regard
ng the protection Of the seals coincide.
Great Britain has not notified Russia
Or Japan OF her intention not to take
part in the conference and her notice TO
he United States was sent too late for
ne other three governments to change
heir arrangements.
Enquiries made at the Russian en-
,assy here show that the officials were
greatly surprised at Great Britain's
and were disposed not to be-
ieve the news when it was conveyed 10
hem by a representative of the Asso-
lated Press. They said the British for
ign office, in the discussion of arrange
nents for the conference, had never ev-
IA minated that dissatisfaction was
AZ Russia's participation in
he congress.
Apparently the Russian officials add, |
Great Britain realizes the impossibility |
II Russia and Japan withdrawing from
ne conference and ieaving a clear field !
or Great Britain and the United States. |
The departure of Sir Julian Pauncefote. |
he British amoa ssador 20 the United |
states. as one OF Great Britain's repre- |
ent3tives AT the sealing conference, has |
,een postponed until October 2S, which |
would make him arrive in the United |
states too late 10 take part in the seal |
ng deliberations.
NO REPLY TO SHERMAN.
Summing the matter up. is seems evil |
lent that Great Britain has decided to |
from further discussion OF the |
ealing question. She has not replied 10
secretary Sherman's dispatch on the sub |
ect and il is not expected that she will |
make an answer 10 il.
The note Of the secretary OF state for
ne colonies. Mr.. Joseph Chamberlain, TO
nc Marquis OF Salisbury. giving the
British contentious. mas not been COM
nunicated 10 the United States. as l.
7as merely a domestic public document.
Intended 70 present the British argu-
nents 70 the public. without continuing
ne debate with the United States.