Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-11-03
THE SEALING CONFERENCE.
Treaty Bstws1p United States, Russia and
Japan, 70 Be- Signed, Ibis Week.

Washington, Nov. lit Is expected tnat
treaty or convention between the
United States, Russia and Japan VIII De
formally signed and executed at the state
department during the present week; car
rying out the proposition before the Bshr-
ing sea conference, for a suspension OF
pelagic sealing. The present understand
Ing Is that the signing OF this document
Will occur within the next few DAYS. y
Will represent the completed enorts OF
the conference. and with the signing con
cluded, the conference will adjourn. The
terms OF the treaty or convention Will fo!-
low the lines of the proposition cOnslu-
cred by the conference and referred with
favorable recommendations to the author-
tiles at st. Petersburg and Toxic.
No doubt existed as to the acceptance
of the Russian authorities, and 1t Is now
stated positively that the Japanese gov
eminent has approved the proposition rpd
that the Japanese delegates are prepared
to place their signatures to Inc treaty.
This clears away all obstacles and little
remains to be done beyond the formalities
attending the signing Of such an instra-
ment.
The essential feature of the treaty is for
the suspension of pelagic sealing for s'icn
a period as will permit the seal herd to
revive. The period of this suspension Is
not disclosed. One report is that 1t would
be for one year, subject to extension. An
other is that it will cover term OF years
cannot be verified. All that can be
learned with definiteness Is that the
treaty is expected to be executed during
the present week and that 1t will be ON
the lines of the original proposition before
the conference.
The conference resumed Its sessions but
no official statement was made as 70 what
had been done.
The attitude which Great Britain will
assume toward the proposition and me
fNr inh @ IN Hp1y. vN1n "a
with much interest. Thus far. me Brit
ish authorities have not been informeh
as to what the conference proposes doiES
At the same time. the British expert,
Prof. THOMPSON. has had several llnS
talks with Mr.. Foster and Mr.. Hamiin
and these have been of such a satisfac-
tory nature that it was believed an ami
cable understanding would be reached by
all parties concerned. If Canada showed
a disposition to assent to the agreement
But Canada still stands in the way. and
the continued absence of the CANADIAN eN'
pert, Mr.. Macoun. Is regarded In the light
of a diplomatic discourtesy. not only -
the United States but also to he British
government: The foreign office named
him. with Prof. Thompson, as an expert
to Washington. Prof Thompson came
at once, but Mr.. Macoun has remained
away. The Ottawa government. has sent
no explanation of this action and "ppar-
emily was oblivious to all inquiries.
Hamlin as the American expert in the
British-Amer meeting may be the
cause of Canada's inaction. Loro Sails
bury specifically stated that IT was 20 be
one between experts. To this end the
British expert. Thompson and the ''ai&-
dian expert. Macoun. were named. it be
ng expected that the United States wou.i
name it's expert. Prof. Jordan.
Mr.. Hamlin was named however, and
it is understood that this is viewed rather
in the light of naming a counsellor or
diplomat as the United States represent
alive rather than an expert. While no
official objection has been made to the
appointment. it is believed to account y
part for Canada's delay in sen'l'ny her
expert to Washington.
No nention is made in the convention
OF fiiliLgt of seals in case Gre AZ Hrittrn
and Canada do not cooperate. il Is
pointed out that Russia and Japan sculi
not adopt retaliatory steps agains: Ca
NADIA, as they have no border Interests
with her. Any action against Canada.
therefore. must be taken by the United
States alone. ~
Mr.. Foster gave reception. tonight. to
The Russian. japanese and British G=ic-
gates and experts. Prof. Thompson was
present. but the British embassy officials
v ere not represented. owing to the mont
of mourning imposed by the death Of the
Duchess of Teck. .s