The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-09
Seeking a Conference on Bering Sea,
Reciprocity, Alien Labor, KIOndIIxe.
Fisheries and other Questions.
DR.. HUNTER GIVEN A PLACE
FINALLY APPOINTED MINISTER To
GUATEMALA AND HONDURAS.
Work of Fish Commission in the Past
Year-Revenue Cutter to BE Sent
to the Relief of WhaIers.

WASHINGTON, Nov. S.-The authorities
here have been advised that the arrival
tomorrow of Sir Wilfrid Laurier Premier
of Canada; Sir Louis Davies, minister of
marine in the Laurier Cabinet and other
officials of the Dominion, is to have an inn
portant bearing. not only on the Bering sea
settlement, but on all he pending questions
which have been sources of international
complications between the United States
and Canada, namely, the passage of alien
laborers TO and from Canada, the North At
lantic fisheries question, the presence OF
many Americans in the Klondike territory
belonging to Canada, and in the mining re-
gion of British Columbia. the fisheries trou-
BILE along the great lakes, the bonding priv
ilege granted Canadian railroads, the con-
troversy over rights in the Frazer river.
British Columbia, and in the Puget sound,
and also the question of a reciprocity ar
| rangement between the United States and
| Canada. There is direct and definite infor-
nation that Sir Wilfrid comes prepared to
take up all these questions, and If possible
include them in one general statement
| whereby the constant friction they have
engendered may be overcome. On some Of
these subjects he will confer with President
| Mckinley and on one at least of them
| that relating to alien laborers crossing the
border-he will suggest such mutual modi-
| fication of present restrictions as in his
| opinion will be of material advantage to the
! thousands of Americans now in the Klon-
| dixie and British Columbia mir ,pg country,
and at the same time will be of advantage
to Canada along the eastern border. The
essential features of Sir Wilfrids mission
were communicated to the officials here by
and it can be said that the suggestion that
the decks be cleared of existing disputes be-
tween Canada and the United States met
with the favor of the administration.
While the Bering sea settlement occasions
the visit of the Canadian premier the Cam
adian authorities attach much less impor-
tance to it than they do to the other ques-
tions mentioned. They say that the Can
adian sealing interest is confined almost
entirely to the far western territory where
the sealers fit out, and that even there q
considerable percentage of the so-cailed
Canadian seaIers hail from Seattle. San
| Francisco and other American ports who
| fit out in Canadian ports under the British
flag. What basis of settlement can be
reached is not disclosed, but little doubt. it
is said, is felt by the Canadians that an
amicable adjustment can be made. Among
the plans suggested is that Of an indemnity
large enough to permit Canada to buy out
the sealers and retire them from business.
With this done the United States, Russia,
Japan, Great Britain and Canada would be
together in suppression of pelagic seal
ing. There is no determination, however, to
advance this plan in preference to others,
and the scope of the settlement will remain
in doubt until the negotiations open.
Sir Wilfrid Laurier and his associates will
urge strongly that the border immigration
question be settled. and on this point will
confer with the President. Under the
premier's direction the Canadian Parliament
passed an alien immigration law last spring,
by which American contractors and Amer
lean labor were barred from competing in
the work on the Crows Nest Pass Railway
"a government undertaking-in western
Canada. On the other hand, 1T is claimed
by the Canadians that about five thousand
Americans are in the klOndike territory be-
longing to Canada, and that fully ten thou
sand American contract laborers are work.
ing in the mines of British Columbia. The
United States immigration laws, 1t Is as
serted, are administered with harShneSS
| along the Canadian border and are daily
source of irritation. Sir Wilfrid. therefore,
will suggest that the causes Of irritation be
removed on both sides, and 1t is understood
that he is prepared TO offer repeal of
Canadian restrictions in the Klondike and
other regions if the administration of the
American law is made more lenient.
In this connections also, the cooperation
of the United States is desired in plans or
the Canadian authorities to lnalxe an easy
route to the Klondike. The proposed route
is by boat from Fort Wrangel 10 the
Stickeen river, which Is In territory belong
cen via Tasland lake, to the Yukon river
and thence to the gold fields. AS the Stick
cen river is on American soil, 1t is desired
to overcome any possible controversy, al
though the treaty of Washington is said TO
make the navigation of the river free to the
Canadians and Americans alike. The need
of this short route, under the patronage OF
the Dominion, is felt by the Canadian pre-
mier to be imperative, in view of infor-
nation reaching them that fifteen thousand
Australians will come to the Klondike in
the spring A total of fifty thousand colo
nists is expected to head that way
On the matter of reciprocity, the general
purpose of the negotiation will be to give
the United States the benefit of the mini-
exchange for the 20 per cent. reduction all
lowed unGer the Dingley law Inc desire
of Sir Wilfrid and his associates will be 70
confine the arrangement TO few important
articles allowing time to develop its use
fulness and extend its scope On the part og
Canada the articles likely to be proposeo
barley. On the part of the United States
articles likely to figure in the negotiation
are: Coal, coal oil, corn. railway ana cleo
trical supplies, machinery of all kinds, ag-
ricultural implements, native woods,
watches, clocks, cotton and certain forms
of iron and steel. The Canadian law per-
mits a one-eighth reduction of duties this
year and one-fourth reduction next year,
TO such countries as give advantages 70
Canada. At present British goods get tniS
reduction, while American goods do rot.
The North Atlantic fisheries controversy
is of long duration. 1t took a menaclnS as
pect some years ago, and at that time
fisheries commission convened at Washlng-
ton and made modus vivendi, serving as
a temporary settlement The modus Is stil
in operation and under 1t American vessels
must nav a license to the Canadians for
the privilege of tranShipping at Canadian
ports taking bait etc. The license system
has proved TO be a hardship and efforts
will be made TO reach more satisfactory
system.
1t has been made known 10 the officials
here that the Canadian premier comes to
Washington desirous of adopting a plan
once proposed by Mr.. Blaine, viz: That
OF dumping the controversies into one gem
eral settlement, the details 10 be settled
by commission representing both coun-
tries Sir Wilfrid is the more anxious To
do this as his administration inherited the
has long been the advocate of the most con-
ciliatory and friendly relations
with the United States, and now
that he has come into power,
will seek to give this sentiment practical
effect. lie and his party are expected to
reach New York tonight and 10 come on
here tomorrow. Some OF the premiers
closest friends were at the State Depart-
ment to-day arranging for his visit and tn