PROPOSED INTERNATIONAL MEASURES, 1887 -\^8. 175 



il/r. rhelps to Mr. Bayard. 



No. 690. 1 Legation of the United States, 



London^ February 18, 18S8. (Keceived February 28.) 



Sir: I received yesterday your instruction No. 782, under date of 

 February 7, relative to the Alaskan seal fisheries. I immediately ad- 

 dressed a note to Lord Salisbury, inclosing tor his perusal one ot the 

 printed copies of the instruction, and requesting" an ai)iJointment for an 

 eaily intervieAv on the subject. 



1 also sent a note to the liussian ambassador^ and an interview with 

 him is arranged iov the 21st instant. 



The whole matter will receive my immediate and thorough attention 

 and I hope i'or a favorable result. Meanwhile I would ask your consid- 

 eration of the manner in which you would propose to carry out the 

 regulations of these hsheries that may be agreed upon by the countries 

 interested. Would not I(\gis!ation be necessary; and, if so, is there any 

 hope of obtaiinng it on the part of Congress ? 

 1 have, etc., 



E. J. PUELPS. 



Mr. Phelps to Mr. Bayard. 



[Extiiict.] 



No. G92.] Legation of the United States, 



London, February 35, 1888. (deceived March G.) 



Sill: Eeferriug to your instructions, numbered 782, of February 7, 

 1888, in reference to the Alaska seal lisheries, and to my reply thereto, 

 numbered (i'JO, of February 18, I have the honor to inform you that I 

 have since had interviews on the subject Avith Lord Salisbury and with 

 M. de Staal, the Russian ambassador. 



Lord Salisbury assents to your i)roposition to establish, by mutual 

 arrangenuMit betAveen the governments interested, a close time for fur 

 seals, between April 15 and Novendier 1, and between 100° of longitude 

 west and 170° of longitude east, in the Beliring Sea. 



He Avill also join the United States Government in any preventive 

 measures it may be thought best to adopt, by orders issued to the naval 

 vessels in that region of the respective governments. 



I have this morning telegraphed you for additional printed copies of 

 instructions 782 for the useot Her Majesty's Government. 



The liussian ambassador concurs, so far as his personal opinion is 

 concerned, in the proi)riety of the proposed measures for the ]notectiou 

 of the seals, and has ])!i)mised to communicate at once with his Govern- 

 ment in regard to it. I have fninished him v/ith copies of instructions 

 782 for the use of his Government. 

 1 have, etc., 



E. J. PUELPS. 



Mr. Bayard to Mr. Phelps. 



No. 810.] Department of State, 



Washiitffton, March 2, 1888. 

 Sir: 1 have to acknowledge the receipt of your No. 090, of the 18tli 

 ultimo, in relation to the Alaskan seal fisheries, and have ])leasure in 

 observing the p]omx)titude Avith which the business has been conducted. 



