Items Of Interest

Sir Wilfrid Laurier, premier of Canada, and Sir Louis Davies, Canadian minister of the marine, are at Washington to discuss the Bering sea seal question, but will also consider all pending questions which have been sourees of international complication between the United States and Canada -the passage of alien laborers to and from Canada; the North Atlantic fish eries question; the presenoe of mauy Americans in the Canadian Klondike territory and in the minina rejfions ol British Columbia; the fisheries trouble along the Great lakes; the bonding privilege granted Canadian railroads; the controversy OYr rights in the Frazer river, British Columbia, and in Puget sound, and also the questiou of a reciprocity arrangement between the United States and Canada. It is even suggested that Canada is ready to offer the United States an equal footingr with Enland in tariff matters. Later.- Definlte arrangements have ! been made for takinjf up the subject of a. reciprocity treaty between the United States and Canada, and to this end meetings have been fixed between Hon. John W. Kasson, who is specially delegated by President McKinley to conduct reciprocity negotiations, and Sir VVilfrid Laurier, and Sir Louis Davies. Thls is the result of the long and friendly conference held between Secretary Sherman and Sir Wilfrid. It is not expected that the reeiprocity treaty itself ean be matured during the present visit oí the Canadian officials, the desire being to arrive at some common understanding at this time, and then perfect the details later. A dinner given at the White House by the President assisted toward a f rieadly settlemeut of questions. There were no toasts and no speeches, but at its conclusión the Canadian puesta accompanied the President and bis cabinet advisers to the blue room, where a wholly informal and personal exchange of views occurred.