The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-12-08

Special Dispatch to the post-Inteilsgencer
WASHINGTON. Dec. Tin the over
shadowing interest In the outcome OF tho
Paris peace commission, the nation seems
TO have lost sight, 10 some extent. OF the
really more important commission now in
session In this city. most commonly called
the Anglo-Amercan.
The commercial relations of this country
with Canada are so intimate that the north
ern states. from Maine To Washington, will
he affected in no slight degree by any
change in the tariffs either OF tho United
States or Canada. The principal work of
the commission. now practically decided
upon. is the granting of the American con-
tention regarding the Bering sea seal fish
cries. While the exact wording Of the treaty
upon that point cannot yet be given. it is
known that the Canadians have agreed to
the contention of our commissioners that
Bering sea IS mare clarsum. and the
pe.aeic sealing by the vessels OF British
subjects shall be stopped. The Canadians
realize thoroughly that IL this Is not done
1t means the death of all the seals and TIE
extinction OF an industry of considerable
Importance 10 them. On the other hand.
the American commissioners have practi-
caliy agreed that there shall be some com.
pensation TO the British Columbia ship own
ers who are thus forced out OF a lucrative
though selfish and lnhuman employment.
Should this matter OF compensation be
granted by our commissioners, however, it
will bring against the treaty in the senate
a determined opposition. Senator Chandler.
OF New Hompshire. one OF the most deter
mined fighters in that body against what
he believes 10 be a wrong, has already
spoken strongly against giving any COM
pensation to the pelagic sealers. He takes
the stand that II needs not the consent OF
Canada nor of any other country TO make
more secure our right to the absolute con-
trol of the waters OF Berng sea, and that it
will go against the grain OF the American
people to pay any indemnity 10 subjects Of
Canada in order that she may quit her IN
reference In those waters. III he can have
his way, the British Columbia skippers VII
get no money for their vessels He calls
attention to the fact that 1t has only been
since the sea passed under the control Of
the United States that Canada has at
tempted TO have anything to say In the
matter OF pelagic sealing. While Russia
controlled It II was very different. The in
discriminate poaching dates from since that
time.
II do not wish TO seem harsh" said Sena.
tor Chandler in discussing this matter. but
II Is beyond me to discuss with patience
the wrongs which the United States has
suffered In the Alaskan fisheries. II has
always seemed to me that the shortest way
TO have settled the sealing difficulties would
have been TO kill or all the seals: then
there could have been no ground for COM
plant by Americans and no cause for fur
Their negotiations on that score"
On the other hand. Senator Chandler
takes a most liberal view OF the question
before the commission as to giving the Ca
nadians a free port OF entry to the Yukon.
''it should he given at once" said he "It
ls az much To the advantage OF Americans
as 10 Canadians that every facility be given
20 opening TIP the YukoE region. Thou
sands Of Americans have settled there dur
ing the last year. and IL Is the duty OF the
government 20 give them every aid In OPEN
ing up the new territory
AS regards the revision Of the tariff be-
tween the two countries. IL IL certain that
no change viii be made In the American
schedules until Canada has abolished what
Is known es the English preferential. This
in effect gives free entry 10 all English
manufactured goods and Is the greatest
possible discrimination against the United
States This IL one Of the points upon
which the American commissioners are
fully determined. and they have good hopes
that Canada's other interests will bring
about q change In this regard.
The task of the American members OF the
commission Is no light one. They have first
o. oil 10 frame treaty that VIII meet
with the approval Of the senate Of the Uni
ted States and ar the same time be liberal
enough 70 re accepted by the Canadian par
lament. To DO this requires no end Of tact
and diplomacy. but IN the latter field 4. n
beginning to be generally Understood by all
nations that the ko-cailed Yankee. although
a little blum, and straightforward at tines.
has no peer ALLAN Il. SLArS0S.
WASHINGTON. Dec. THE subjects
under consideration BY the Angio-Amerf-
can commission II is stated. include reci-
proclty ard the fisheries. and while tie
commissioners are quite guarded the idea
is conveyed that fee<procity presents the
nloss serious problem for sosution before
the way Is clear 10 treaty.
Senator Fairbanks has entertained tho
distinguished British members of the COM
and Representative Dingsey will extend a
similar courtesy al the house end.
Il Is understood that the session today
brought more dcfiaits Developments on The