The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-17

WASHINGTON. Nov. 1.-THE Berins
sea meeting. in which representatives of
Great Britain. Canada and the United
states haFe participated, came 10 a close
tonight, the seal experts making a unIai-
nous report concerning the condition of
the seal herds and the diplomatic repre-
sSntallyes Of the respective governments
reaching az understanding by which laey
nope al q later day 10 effect tnal ad-
Just1nent, not only OF the Bering sea ques-
ton, but OF other pending border contro-
versies.
For the present. however. no tinai action
was taken as 10 the suspension of pelagic
sealing. The Canadians urged that other
questions be embraced III any plan of set
tieiaent. and suggested an international
commission To accomplish this end. This
proposition was fully discussed. and an
agreement reached that the commission
officials would put their views In writing
after returning to Ottawa and submit
them 10 the authorities here. All parties
concerned say that the outlook is favor
aale 10 satisfactory adjustment.
The unanimous agreement of the ex-
peris brings the governments together for
the first time on all the facts relating TO
the seals. This agreement was reached
after painstaking comparison of notes, and
the Results were announced in an official
statement by Gen. Foster as follows:
The delegates To the fur seal conference
have agreed unanimously on certain prop
ositions touching the fur seal herds of
Bering sea. The report contains sixteen
propositions, which are briefly epltomized
as follows.
That the Pribilof herd has declined in
numbers from 1884 to 1877: that the number
was formerly. three to five times that
which now exists.
THAT the death rate among pups is
great, not more than one-haif to one-third
surviving 20 the age OF years.
males in isas and 1897 was between isO 900
That the decrease from 1896 to 1897 was
nolahIe Though its extent could not be
definitely determined.
That land killing OF males. as row prac-
ticed, does no harm TO the herds.
ihat the peiaeic seaiers respect the linn
itations Of the law.
That pelagic sealing involves indiscrim-
mate killing
That the catch at sea contains a marked
excess OF females.
THAT the killing Of males on land is the
cause of this
That among the females killed are not
only those both nursing and pregnant. but
also many who are Immature or who have
already lost their pups.
That the fur seal being polygamous a
large number OF males may be killed with
impunity.
THAT the females cannot he killed in
similar numbers without checking the in
crease Of the herd or bringing about an
THAT small number OF females. less
than the usual Increase remnant of breed
ers. might ne taken without producing ac-
tlal decrease.
THAT excessive pelagic sealing has led
10 i reduction in the herds.
That peiagie sealing has OF late fallen
OFT IN greater ratio than the herd mas thus
n numbers,
THAT In estimating the future condi-
tons nf the herd. there must he taken into
consideration reductions in the number Of
surviving pllsiss caused BY the pclagic
catches CT ts94-S.
'''rhat :he herd IS not in danger OF ac-
tu1l extsrminatiou as long as its haunts on
land ere protected ana the protected zone
tS M intained
That both land and sra killing now
yield an inconslderabie profit either To the
ic-se's or 70 tie pe!agic sealers them
Ives
The dele gates signing the agreement are:
Charles Summer Hams!n, David Starr Jor-
dan. u Arcy Wentworth Thompson. James
Melville Aacoun.
Following the agreement OF the experts.
tao diplomatic officials assembled a, Cen.
FrNter's house so discuss the larger ates-
ton Of putting An end 10 pclaEic sealing
GN2 of sc3ttus other border controversies.
owing 50 the continued Illness If SIR Julian
t8uneefote. who IL confined 70 his roan1
she Ryiilsh government was represented ~
the urst secretary Of he British embassy.
Louis Davies We're present In behalf of
CJaasla-
Gen. Fosters power has bern materially
enlarged since the coming NJ the Cana
tAH officials f0r. result os the long
ana friendly TAX between Sis Wi}gted and
Secretary sherman, ghe latter hsd written
10 tae Canadian premier. stating that The
president had empowered Gen Foster 10
treat on the various border questions which
Sr NT1lfrod had called 20 the attention of
A}r Sherman and with the corporation
af tAe British government. 20 conclude
treaties covering these subjects.
T's}s gave tbe meeting breed slguif-
,-aa~e, }; began ~ Z. 81. and lasted uniil
= DUrine these three hours the entire
rs1Ee ot border Affairs wss discussed, Pri-
marty. yhe purpose ot she meeting was n
secure an agreement on tN" Rertng sea
question. The Canadians 10 sdc clear haw-
evrr that thsy w3she5 Any plan Of set
-ir-s,,19s - take = broader scope than the
5t, s,hfrci az Eerins SCR. and IN embrace
The msay s5Qrres of frlrtjaa along sae bcr-
Ger
In tbts ccnnoetion TIE pIan - an inter-
nAftoazt coMEntSsc or vas d.sN8SStd a.
great feuEth. T3se Canadians felt thar fha
commission afforded ;he best rneawS 90 re-
~oHr4Har aI} differences ara opening % the
way 20 reciprocity. Tnc discussion was of
sl3e nest fslegdly nature t2rouSaaat, and
np sharp 81 Esge@eeS We're allowed - cFoD
erii L vas felt. Aowpver. shst fAa plaG
q 4 cSTnrS isSion wa~ taD large 4 question
Fa- immediate sieteFEa3Ha tien- ! tuaI an
,ie~siandlnE was reached. therst3ye. taat
fhe Canadian proposition should ~ -
ducrd 60 writing. as r basis for further ne-
sc;ssEtors.
TA!s closed tAF conference ara the cgsi-
-gsEs said theEg fzTeWe}is. @xpye<s.csS salts
gAc.se9 az tae covdIaI feeling was-a had