The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-10-15
Mr.. SHERMAN SURPRISED
AT ENCLAND'S faction IN THE
SEAL FISHERIES NATTER
His Re ply to L. I'd Sali,bury's Letter Refus
ing To Meet in Conference With Russia
and Japan-He Proposes q Conference He.
tween England, Canada and the United
neutrality-suspicious. Continued for Meet.
ing With the Representatives of Russia
and Japan

Washington, October 12.-Secretary
Sherman has written a reply to the
note OF Lord Salisbury expressing
Great Britain's declination TO take part
in a Behring sea conference in which
Russia and Japan are to participate.
The essential features of Mr.. Sher-
mans reply will be sent by cable to
the British government and the reply
in full is now on its way to the British
authorities. Lord Salisbury's not of
declination. it can now be stated, bore
date Of October 9Th, last Wednesday,
so that the response is made with
promptness.
The answer states that the United
States government views with aston
ishment the determination of Great
Britain not to participate in a confer
ence including Russia and Japan, and
the statement is made that up to the
23rd of last month the United States
authorizes had fully expected that the
conference would proceed with Russia
and Japan, as we'll as Great Britain,
present. 1t is pointed out, that aside
from the written correspondence, to
which Lord Salisbury had called atten-
| ton, there were verbal negotiations
between Ambassador Hay and his lord
| ship in which specific reference was
made to the participation of Russia
and Japan. At one of these verbal ex-
| changes, it is stated, Lord Salisbury
said he would advise with the officials
of the foreign office concerning the sub
| jectS discussed, which included the par
ticipation of Russia and Japan. Suisse
q%uently, On July 29th, Ambassador Hay
wrote to Lord Salisbury saying the
| president had hoped to have Russia
and Japan participate in the confer
ence. In view of those circumstances,
| the United States had confidently ex-
| pected that Great Britain would take
| part in the conference and that Rus
STA and Japan would be represented
with the approval of Great Britain.
Beside the foregoing reply and in
view of the differences which have
| arisen, the state department suggests
a conference in accordance with the
| terms of Lord S~alisbury's agreement
! as he CONSTITUTES it, namely, between ex-
| perts of Great Britain, the United
| States and Canada. This last feature
is now under consideration by the
| British government, it's substance hav-
ing been transmitted by cable, but it
is not expected that an answer will be
made until Mr.. Sherman's answer in
detail reaches London.
LII TIE LnedltlHue, pIepdIdlloHS IOT the
conference between the United States,
Russia and Japan are proceeding. The
Japanese delegates who are now en-
route from San Francisco have decided
to stop. over for two days at Chicago
and will not reach Washington until
next Sunday night. Two of the Russian
delegates, Mr.. BOtkine and Mr.. Rout-
kowsky, are here and the remaining
delegate, Mr.. Grebnitsky, is expected
soon. While no exact date has been
fixed for the conference, the expecta-
ton is that all the delegates will be
here in time to meet Wednesday, Oc-
tober goth.