Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-16
CANADA'S POSITION
Interested in Other Matters Than the
Seal Question.
An INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION
Proposition to Settle All Questions
at the Same Time.
AMERICAN A CONTENTION

The Canadian officials determined today
suspension of pelagic sealing with a coun-
ter proposition for the establishment of a
commission to arrange a general settlement
not only of the Bering sea question but of
reciprocity, border immigration, north At
lantic fisheries and all pending questions
between the United States and Canada. 1t
was stated authoritatively that this propo-
sition would be submitted when the diplo-
matte phases of the subject were taken up
today. Whether it will tend toward an
adjustment is doubtful. The contention of
the American representatives is that the
Bering sea question is the first thing to be
disposed Of, and that the suspension of
pelagic sealing cannot be put off until ac-
tion Is matured on reciprocity, immigra-
tion and the other subjects. But the Cana
dians are equally insistent that they shall
not surrender on the stoppage of sealing
without at the same time securing action
on all the other subjects, which, to them
are of quite as much Importance as the
Bering sea question.
An International Commission.
Their suggestion of an international COM
mission will therefore contemplate the as
sembling of duly authorized commissioners.
to be appointed by the United States and
by Great Britain, to consider all pending
questions. and, if possible negotiate a
treaty covering a settlement of all of them
Ihls plan necessarily implies the sus-
pension OF action on the Bering sea ques-
uon 1or the present. On the part of the
Canadians there appears to be no DISPOSE
ton TO make any settlement on the basis
Oh an immediate Suspension of pelagic seale
ing The proposed commission would be
empowered, however, to consider such a
suspension, and such an adjustment might
III time be arranged if reciprocal benefits
were secured by the Canadians The entire
theory of the commission is to avoid set
Ting the Bering sea question unless the
other questions are settled at the same
time 1t is understood that while the
United States representatives have no OBJ
1tctlon 10 a commission they will insist
that a necessary preliminary to 1t is a sus-
pension. by mOdus vivendi or other expedi-
cnt, temporary if need be.of pelagic sealing
Secretary Sherman's Letter.
1t developed today that Secretary Sher-
man had written a letter to Sir Wifrid
Laurier which may have an important
bearing on the Canadian negotiations The
letter is not made public, and all persons
coSnizant of it are very reticent on the sub
Ject- 1t is said this letter resulted from the
dlVlued responsibility of the officials here
cen Foster having charge of Bering sea-
Secretary Gage of immigration, Mr. Kas-
son or reciprocity, etc While each of these
ofhclais was desirous of making friendly
person who could consider the subjects
homogeneoasly, granting a concession or
one subject for equal concession on
aiother subject. This condition being req
ogniZed as an embarrassment to the nego-
tiations, it is understood that Mr. Sher
man letter to Sir Wilfrid facilitates a
broader discussion of the relations between
the two countries.
The Bering sea meeting began at II
o'clock. today under the usual circum
stances of secrecy.
Conference Closed
The experts closed their conference with
today's session They have agreed on a
statement of facts concerning seal life, the
condition and habits of the seals. etc and
such statement was signed by the four ex
perts, namely. Messrs. Hamlin and Jordan
Tor the United States, Mr.. THOMPSON for
England, and MIR. Macoun for Canada at
tne State Department late this afternoon
No acton was taken by the experts on the
subject OF peiagic sealing, a question that
Eas peen left open for the consideration of
the diplomatic representatives of Craat
Britain and the United States.
Sir Julian Pauncefote the British am
Dassador, and Sir Wilfrid Laurier ard Sir
LOUIS Davies of the Canadian ministry had
d conference with Gen. Foster the United
states representative. at the State Depart-
ment Iate this afternoon, at which n is
understood, the subject of pelagic SEALING
was consldered in connection with the
proposition that commission be created
70 consider commercial reciprocity and
other relations between the United States
and Canada