The herald., 1897-11-22
PLANS OF
CANADIANS
Find Hearty Support in
England
STRONG HOPE ENTERTAINED
OF SETTLING MANY vEXATIOUs
QUESTIONS
STRONG HOPE ENTERTAINED
Even the General Arbitration Treaty,
Though Sleeping Somewhat
Soundly, Is Not Dead
Associated Press Special Wire.

Associated freSS SpeClal wire.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 21.-There is
good reason to believe that the British
government will view with favor the
formation of a commission to clear up
vexatious questions between the United
States and Canada. This attitude will
be important in the consummation Of the
plan, for the best efforts of
the United States and Canada toward
a general settlement could come to
naught unless the imperial government
approved the efforts and stood ready to
give them official execution in the form
of a treaty At first the sharp differ
ences aroused by the recent Bering sea
meeting led to the belief that Greaat
Britain might stand in the way Of
commission which would discuss, among
other questions, such imperial subjects
as the tariff. The British have been
tenacious OF holding the advantages Sc
cured by Canada's preferential British
tariff and 1t was thought the colonial
office at London would not view with
favor any movement by a commission
which would disturb this preferential
tariff. 1t appears, however, that the
British authorities are sincerely anx-
ious to close up the various irritating
questions which have long existed be-
tween Canada and the United States,
through the medium Of commission
or otherwise, and that no idea is enter
tanned that when the commission dealt
with the imperial subject of the tariff
it would involve any disturbance Of the
British Canadian tariff relations. There
are said to be many articles. such as
coal and fish, which are not exchanged
between. Great BIitain and Canada. On
such articles, therefore, any reciprocal
arrangement between the United States
and Canada would have no influence on
government rs said to be fully conscious
of the advantages which Canada may
secure in the extensive American mark
ct lying alongside her, and there is un-
derstood to be every desire to aid Can
ada in the enjoyment of reciprocal trade
with this country.
Already the British ambassador has
been authorized from London to begin
negotiations for reciprocity treaties be-
tween the United States and the British
West Indian colonies. This Isl cited to
show the favor which the London au-
thorities exhibit toward securing the
best reciprocal advantages for British
colonies. 1t is said the same view would
prevail as to Canadian reciprocity
In any event, the work Of u commission
would be preliminary only, and it would
remain for the British government to
give it effect by formal treaty.
The subjects other than the tariff, such
as border immigration, fishing in the
great lakes, ETC., are not of an imperial
character. and concern only the United
States and Canada. In these, it is said,
Great Britain has NO interest whatever
except to see them settled on terms sat
isfactory to Canada. The lake fisheries
have been a prolific source of trouble.
1t is claimed that the fish of the lakes.
particularly white fish, are being ex-
terminated by the lax laws Of some of
the states bordering on the lakes. The
destruction of the fish is said to be
analogous to the destruction of the seals
in the Boring sea, and one of the SUBJ
jects which Canada would urge before
the commission would be the protection
Of the fisheries in he lakes.
Prof. Darcy Thomson. the British
seal expert, having concluded his la
bors, left today for Toronto, intending to
reach New York in time to take the
Lucania for Liverpool later in the week.
Prof. Thompson expresses himself as
we'll pleased with tho recent meeting of
experts, and with the results arrived at.
Since the expert agreement was
reached, protocol has been signed by
Mr.. HamIin, chairman of the expert
meeting, and by the secretaries. Mr..
venning on behalf Of Canada, and Mr..
Clark in behalf of the United States.
This protocol sets forth the conditions
under which the meeting was held. with
the minutes Of the proceedings, and to
some extent aids in the Interpretation OF
the agreement by showing all the cir
cumstances leading up to it.
Sir Julian Pauncefote. the British am
b:,ssador. has been confined to his room
for the last two weeks with a return of
his old attack of rheumatism. 1t pre-
vented his attendance at the Bering sea
meetings, and in this and all other affairs
of the embassy Mr.. Adams, first secre-
tary, has been in Charge. In tho mean
time such questions as reciprocity with
the British West Indies. the general ar
bitration treaty, ETC.. have been in abey-
ance, but they are likely to come up fol
discussiori with the authorities here as
soon as Sir Julian Is fully recovered.
There is no immediate prospect of the
conclusion of the reciprocity negotia-
tions between the United States and
France. Both governments have pre-
sented elaborate statistics to show Their
respective positions in any reciprocity
arrangement, but the matter has not
progressed to the point where an agree
ment can be foreseen.
A Harris Memorial
MEMPHIS, Tenn, Nov. 21.-The me-