86 



not only to comiueree and to revenne, but wliicli "will soon work disas- 

 tions results, not only to the icellbeing hut even to the existence of our 

 people in the extreme N'orthwest. The establisliment of a reasonable 

 rule, and of a lawful system in the use (I'exploitation) of the resources 

 which furnish their only industry, is for those people of vital impor- 

 tance. 



The pressing interest which the Imperial Government has been thus 

 called to consider had already suggested to it the idea of an interna- 

 tional agreement^ by which this interest might find its most efficient pro- 

 tection. It is by this way that the different questions involved can be 

 best resolved, and among which there exists, in our opinion, a close 

 connection. 



The proposition of an accord emanating from the Government of the 

 United States, and which we take pleasure in considering as a step 

 tow^ard that general solution, must, of course, but meet the sincere 

 sympathies of the Imperial Government and its active support; and 

 this I pray you to make known to the cabinet at Washington. Please 

 receive, etc. 



Tlius the four powers that include between their respective territorial 

 possessions all the waters of the North Pacific Ocean and of the seas 

 in Avhich the Alaskan fur-seal is found, were in complete accord and 

 agreement that pelagic sealing should be regulated hy their mutual consent. 

 And Lord Salisbury, as late as February, 1888, informed Mr. Phelps 

 that he assented to Mr. Bayard's i)ro])osition for a close time for fur 

 seals between April 15 and November 1 in the Bering Sea, and stated 

 that he wHinld "join the United States in any preventive measure it may 

 be thought best to adopt, by orders issued to the naval vessels in that 

 region of the respective Governments." (See Api)endix to American 

 Case, vol. 1, p. 175.) 



The negotiations progressed thus favorably until Canada interposed 

 to i^revent the settlement of the question as to which four great powers 

 had practically agreed, and asserted that no close time was necessary. 



Canada, without diplomatic power or responsibility, still had power, 

 through her political relations with Great Britain, to control and em- 

 barrass the diplomacy of the Imperial Government, even in antagonism 

 with the interests of the British jieople, as stated by Lord Salisbury. 



Without questioning the right or duty of Great Britain to consult the 

 interests or wishes of her colony in the nnitter, it is a serious and dan- 

 gerous embarrassment to the United States that they must deal only 

 with Great Britain in settling difficulties that relate to the comliu-.t of 

 the Government of Canada. She issues fishery clearances to vessels 

 belonging to her pe{)])le, and under them the citizens of the United States 

 are sheltered in their violations of United States statutcsj and, when 



