New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-30
QUEBEC COMMISSIONS WORN.
THE LUMBER CONTROVERSY STILL IN
SETTLED
BRITISH COLUMBIA's ATTORNEY GENERAL
OPPOSING CONCESSIONS TO THE
UNITED STATES

Quebec, Sept 29-The session Of the Joint
High Commission was brief this morning. but
the subcommittee have been hard at work all
day. Arrangements being made for a din
ner TO be given by the American Commissioners
on October 6. 1t is likely that the conference
will adjourn soon after that date. to meet later
in Washington.
Attorney General Joseph Martin, Of British
Columbia, arrived here this morning. and IS
urging the Canadian Commissioners in an en-
phatic manner make too great conces-
sicns 10 the Americans in the settlement OF the
questions at issue. Mr.. Martin Is the author or
the famous Manitoba school law, which few
years ago was 50 bitterly opposed by the Catho-
lies Of the Dominion.
Mr. Martin says that the Canadians should
not surrender the British National right to the
seal fisheries in Behring Sea. 1t has been re-
ported that the United States Government would
purchase the ships which the Canadian seal
fishers in Behring Sea own and that all British
rights TO Behrng Sea would be given up IN re-
turn for the grant OF certain United States ter
ritory which would enable the Canadians TO
have freer access to the Yukon River and the
interior of Alaska Mr. Martin thinks no such
concessions should be made by the Canadians
He is also interested in the question Of recipro-
can duty now imposed on Canadian lead ores
should be removed.
Otto ]. Klotz. who has been in St Petersburg
for several months examining the old maps and
records relative TO the boundaries Of Alaska. is
now here assisting the Canadian Commissioners
on that subject.
The lumber question is still in controversy.
The representatives of the American lumhermen
are preparing document emhodying the exact
terms Of the proposition which will be made 10
the Canadian Commissioners. The princlpai
feature Of the document is the definition OF the
grades OF lumber which the Americans may
offer to admit at reduced rate In the last
twenty-four hours some of the Canadian lum-
bernen have declared that the proposition on
the part Of the Americans TO admit Tree or Al
a reduced rate the higher grades Of Canadian
pine for the privilege Of having Canadian saw
logs brought in free will not be accepted by the
Canadians They say there is no high grade
pine to spare in Canada. and that the Canadians
would gain nothing by the proposed adjustment
Of the question As usual. the Commissioners
on both sides decline TO say what the true s''"a-
tion is IA,
About the only tangible fact connected with
the work Of the Commission So far Is the GER
tainty that no one except the members KNOWS
exactly what has been done or what me aeIrrS n11
OF adjustment Of any one OF the questions VIII
be The Canadian newspapers print coiuinns
OF speculative matter every day. ana the com
missoners say that concerning all tne gus,
GO far considered the newspaper talk mas peeh
based on wrong conclusions and untrust"orthy
Information. Concerning the seal question: II
Is safe to say that il is not regarded by the
American Commissioners as heing or the great
est importance and orobs piy no great conces-
sions or sacrifices the part OF the united
states will be made in adjusting II.