The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-30
ALL WORKING IN SECRET
NO INKLING of PROGRESS BY THE
ARBITRATION COMMITTEES.
Canadians Intimating that Bering
Sea Dispute VIII Eventually
Cause Trouble.

QUEBEC. Aug. 29.-The Americans of the
arbitration committee began their labors at
o'clock this morning and by themselves
and in joint session have been at work all
day. The joint session. which began at IL
o'clock, lasted until nightfal AS usual when
the joint meeting closed this evening the
commissioners reported that they had gone
through day of very hard work and that
good progress had been made. Senator Fair
banks, for tine Americans, and Lord Her.
scheH. for the Canadians, have been se-
lected TO give out whatever there may be
for the press. but far there has been
nothing which the commission has consid-
cred wise to reveal. Whenever Lord Her.
schell is asked by the newspaper represent
atives for a crumb of news he praises the
good nature and friendly attitude OF the
Americans and whenever Senator Fairbanks
is pressed for information he praises the
friendliness and hospitality of the Canad-
dams. But never a word escapes either as
TO what takes place behind the closed doors
The secretaries and experts who are con-
nected with the commission are equally
close-mouthed.
One positive statement was made, how
ever, by Lord Herschell tonight. He said
that 1t had been decided that after the re-
Quebec. There has been some talk about
transferring the conference to washington
or Ottawa, but his lordShip said the work
would go on here. One thing is certain so
Tar as the committee is concerned. They
are doing something. When the joint COM
mlttee meets they sit continuously from IL
O'Clock until late in the afternoon and have
their lunch served to Item in the Parlia-
ment building. During all the sessions Sec
retarleS and messengers are kept on the
jump Tor books and papers concerning the
SUBJECTS under discussion 1t is known that
books and documents relating to the Boring
sea sealing question have been much in evil
Qonce In the Joint meeting to-day and il is
inferred that this important question has
peen taken up. Some of the Canadian all-
tnorltles believe that the commissioners will
never get beyond the sealing question. They
argue that last winter when Sir Wilfrid
!1aurier and Sir Louis Davis went TO Wash
lnBton 10 nave a settlement of that cues
uon they failed and that conditions have
not changed since then. 1t is asserted here
that SIR Wilfrid Laurier at that time would
not enter into any settlement of the Rering
sea matter unless the authorities al WASH
lngton are willing to take up and settle all
other disputes; that the men at Washinp-
ton were unwilling TO do so and the Cana
olans maintain that the attitude of both
Americans and Canadians is unchanged
Lord HerSchell was asked tonight If tbe
committee would be able to indicate what
progress they had made or what the proh
ability was of final settlement of the oues-
ton before the recess He replied that nrob-
ably nothing would be given out 20 the pub-
Tic until the work was completed Ii is
probable. however. that during me interim
delegations will confer with their govern
ments and be able 10 do something or de-
clare that they can do nothing very soon
after that body reconvenes.