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representing the United States, England and Canada. The convention began at Washington on November 10, with the following experts present: Professor Jordan, United States; Professor Thompson, England, and Professor Macoun, Canada. The other representatives present were John W. Foster and Charles S. Hamlin, United States; Sir Julian Pauncefote, the British Ambassador, and Sir Wilfrid Laurier and Sir Louis Davies. These last-named five representatives were privileged only to ask questions and exchange views incidental to the taking of expert testimony. This conference ended its sittings on November 21, and a protocol was signed by the two secretaries-Mr. Venning, on behalf of Canada; Mr. Clark, on behalf of the United States-and Mr. Hamlin, the chairman of the Conference, which set forth the circumstances under which the meeting was held, with the minutes of the proceedings, and to some extent showing the circumstances leading up to the agreement. few days later the Canadian Government sent its reply to the proposition of the United States that the Canadians should stop killing seals for a year beginning January 1, 1898, to the effect that it was not possible to comply with the proposal, as every British subject has a right to engage in pelagic sealing unless prohibited by imperial decree, which could only be issued by authority of Imperial Parliament, and the Parliament would not meet till February. The reply also suggested that the proposed joint commission be appointed and meet at once, when, on conclusion of negotiations on the questions at issue, the necessary legislation could be secured from the British Parliament and the suspension of pelagic sealing go into effect in the spring. It was stated that the United States had offered to pay the Canadian Government a lump sum of money to extinguish pelagic sealing, but that the Canadian Premier refused the proposition.

CLAIMS AWARD.

The arbitrators appointed to adjust the claims of Canadian sealers for losses sustained by the seizure of their vessels made an award on December 22, 1897, of $464,000, with two reserved cases-those of the Black Diamond for $5,000, and the Ada for $1,000. In 1894 the United States offered $400,000, and Canada claimed $450,000 as a settlement. Afterward a compromise was reached, and the amount was placed at $425,000, but Congress refused to vote this sum.

SEAL-CATCH STATISTICS.

The official statistics of the catch of seals for the season of 1897 were made public at the conference of Russia, Japan and the United States, and they showed two features most important in sustaining the American contention: That the catch had fallen off about one-half, showing conclusively that the seal herd was being rapidly wiped out; and, second, that the catch of seals from the American islands in Behring Sea was about 15 to 1 as between the Canadian sealers under the British flag and American sealers. The same proportion was shown to exist throughout the waters of the North Pacific. In detail. the figures for the season were: Total

catch of seals in the North Pacific for the season, 38,700, against 73,000 in 1896. The total catch of seals in 1897 is divided as follows: Taken by British vessels, 30,800; by American vessels, 4,100; by Japanese vessels, 3,800. The catch in Behring Sea was 16,650 for 1897, against 29,500 in 1896. Of the catch in Behring Sea, British vessels took 15,600 and American vessels 1,050. The figures make no distinction between British and Canadian vessels, practically all the sealing is done by Canadian vessels, which, however, are nominally classed as British.

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In view of the statement of experts that the season was a better one for the taking of seals than in 1896, the conclusion to be drawn from the figures is that the seal herd has been greatly reduced by indiscriminate slaughter.

THE CUBAN REVOLT.

The principal features of the insurrection in Cuba in the first three months of 1897 were the communication to the United States Senate on January 5 by Mr. Olney, the Secretary of State, regarding the power of the President of the United States in the matter of recognition of the Cuban Republican Government; the campaign of General Weyler in the eastern provinces and his complete failure to take advantage of the shock caused to the insurgents by the loss, in December, 1896, of their boldest leader, General Antonio Maceo, and the serious doubt he aroused as to the ability of the Spanish commanders to cope with the forces against them; also the capture of the insurgent General Juan Ruis Rivera, on March 28. In connection with the latter incident Senator Allen, of Nebraska, on April 1, introduced in the United States Senate a resolution protesting against the alleged purpose of the Spanish authorities in Cuba to try General Rivera by summary court martial, upon which there was an exciting debate. In the meanwhile Mr. Sherman, Secretary of State, made a verbal protest to the Spanish Minister at Washington, and a few days later there was made public the reply from the Spanish Government that General Rivera would not be executed, but would be treated as a prisoner of war.

On January 25, in response to a resolution of the Senate, President Cleveland submitted a list of American citizens, either native born or naturalized, who had been arrested in Cuba since the beginning of the insurrection, together with the action taken in each case. The total arrests were seventy-four; of these seven had been tried, and appeals were taken in the cases of Sanguilly and Someillah from the sentences imposed. Seven were correspondents of American newspapers who had been arrested and banished. Another case was that of Dr. Ricardo Ruiz, a physician resident in Guanabacoa, who had died in the prison at that place, his friends claiming that his death was due to inhuman treatment by his jailers. On February 21 Secretary Olney directed the American Minister at Madrid to demand of the Spanish Government a full inquiry into the circumstances of the death of Dr. Ruiz. Later, in April, President McKinley appointed William J. Calhoun, of Illinois,

special counsel to Consul General Lee, with directions to investigate the case, and he went to Havana for that purpose. The report was that, although no positive or direct proof was found that the doctor died from an actual assault, his death was due to congestion of the brain.

After Mr. McKinley became President notice was served upon the Spanish Government that the United States recognized a state of civil war in Cuba which demanded a treatment of prisoners taken in action by either side different from that followed by General Weyler. It was also stated that American citizens pursuing lawful occupations in a lawful way would be held to be entitled to the protection of the law. On May 17 President McKinley sent a message to Congress suggesting an appropriation to be used in relieving the distress of American citizens resident in Cuba, and a week later a bill making an appropriation of $50,000 became a law.

On April 20 the Queen Regent of Spain signed a decree instituting certain reforms of government in Cuba. It provided among other things a Council of Administration, a sort of parliament for the government of the island, subject to certain supervisory authority of the Crown; also a scheme to permit Cuba to revise her own tariff schedules. The decree was the direct result of the announcement by General Weyler that the western part of the island was completely pacified. This was proved later to be a mere theory of General Weyler.

Following the assassination of Senor Canovas, Prime Minister of Spain, Senor Sagasta was made Prime Minister on October 2. Six days later General Weyler was recalled and Captain-General Blanco was chosen to succeed him. General Blanco reached Havana on October 30 and at once assumed control of affairs and instituted several changes in the conduct of the campaign against the insurgents.

On November 27 the Spanish Government officially published a decree tendering to Cuba and Porto Rico a system of autonomy. The scheme provided that the Spanish Parliament or Cortes should be the central executive power, and that the government in the colony should be the colonial parliament, the colonial chambers, legislative assemblies, and the GovernorGeneral. It was proposed that the Council of Administration should consist of thirtyfive members, eighteen of whom to be elected, and the others nominated by the mother country. The Governor-General is to exercise the supreme command, is given complete liberty to appeal to the officials of his secretariat, to issue and execute laws and decrees, negotiate international treaties and conventions, etc. It is proposed that the secretaries of the Cuban autonomous government shall be five, viz.: Justice and Interior, Finance, Public Instruction, Public Works and Communications, and Industry and Commerce, all to be appointed by the Governor-General.

On December 14 Governor-General Blanco issued а proclamation granting

complete amnesty to all political exiles, going to the extent of encouraging the return of all who emigrated from Cuba voluntarily and those who considered themselves obliged to remain in exile for a purely political motive, reason, cause or act, and giving guarantees of protection and assistance to life and property.

CRETE.

Disorders broke out afresh on the Island of Crete on February 1, 1897, arising from the hatred existing between the Christians and their Turkish rulers. Four days later the Mahometans and Christians had a pitched battle in the city of Canea, when the city was set on fire and fully 300 Christians were killed. On February 8 the union of Crete and Greece was proclaimed by the people at Halepa, and the Greek fleet reached Canea on the same day. On February 11 the Greek Government formulated a notification to the Powers that the ties of race and religion compelled her to intervene on behalf of the Christians of Crete. The Greek forces attacked and captured the Turkish garrisons on February 17, and the foreign Powers landed their naval forces at Canea and Sitia later. On February 20 the United States Senate adopted a resolution of sympathy for the Greeks and Cretans. On February 23 a mass-meeting of sympathizers was held in Chickering Hall, New-York City. On the same day King George of Greece issued a proclamation enjoining the Cretans to pacify themselves and to confide in the efforts of Greece to uphold and maintain the rights of the Hellenic people. On February 24 the Governor's palace at Canea was burned; the Powers ordered Greece to withdraw her army of occupation, and Queen Olga of Greece returned her Russian insignia. King George replied to the demands of the Powers on the following day that it was impossible to withdraw the troops from Crete.

On February 25 Lord Salisbury, Premier of Great Britain, presented a scheme of autonomy for Crete, which Turkey opposed. The Cretans rejected it three days later, and pleaded for union with Greece. The Greek Government, on March 8, sent word to the Powers that it was doubtful that autonomy could fulfil their aim, and requested that the Cretans be permitted to declare their preference of government. On May 21 the Cretan insurgents were advised by the Greek Government to accept autonomy on condition that the Turkish troops should be previously withdrawn from the island. On the same day the Mussulmans telegraphed to the Sultan that autonomy under the conditions existing on the island of Crete "cannot fail to perpetuate race wars, and will only briefly postpone the revival of the annexation question with all its disastrous consequences." The withdrawal of the Greek troops followed, and on May 23 the last detachment of the Greek expeditionary force embarked for Greece. Then folowed the war between Turkey and Greece