the Russian, Japanese, and United States
sealing commissioners has been signed.

The treaty prohibits deep-sea sealing in waters controlled by them.

The treaty does not apply (so far as Great Britain is concerned) to the
Bering Sea. By the treaty of Paris this sea was declared to be an open
sea, free to all at a certain distance from the coast; therefore Great
Britain can indulge in deep-sea sealing in those waters if she pleases.

It is hoped, however, that England's love of justice will convince her
that there must be some truth in the statement about the decrease of the
seal herd, and not wishing to be the only country engaged in improper
sealing, she will eventually add her signature to the treaty.

This seems the more likely as it is reported that at the sealing
conference with Great Britain, which follows the Russo-Japanese
conference, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the Canadian Premier, will endeavor to
settle the disputed matters satisfactorily.

The Canadian Premier has always desired to maintain the most friendly
relations with us, and though he has given no hint of his intentions on
the sealing question, it is understood that he means to reach an
amicable understanding with us.

It is also said that he intends to see the President while he is in
Washington, and if possible clear away all the existing difficulties
between Canada and the United States.

The sealing trouble is only one of the matters which need arranging.
There is the Kootenay affair, the Klondike question, and a number of
other fishery and tariff differences.

* * * * *

Our Government will soon have an opportunity of testing the value of the
reindeer which have been imported into Alaska.

A number of whaling-vessels are fast in the ice off the coast of Alaska,
and it is necessary to send food to the sailors on them to save them
from starvation.

These ships went up through the Bering Sea this summer to ply their
dangerous trade as usual. The winter set in earlier than usual, and
eight of them have been caught in the ice off Point Barrow, which is on
the north of Alaska, jutting out into the Arctic Ocean.

There are about two hundred and seventy-five men on these vessels. Not
expecting to spend the winter in the Arctic Ocean, they were not
prepared for such an emergency, and none of them carried more than a
three-months' supply of food. The gravest fears are entertained lest
they die of starvation.

The ma