PROPOSED INTERNATIONAL MEASURES, 1887-'88. 177 



to preserve from extertniiiatiou the fur seals wliicli at certain seasons 

 are found in Beliring Sea, I am requested by the Marcpiis of Salisbury to 

 inform you that the Kussiau ambassador in London has been communi- 

 cated with on tlie subject, and that he has referred to his Government 

 for instructions. But in making tliis communication to you I am in- 

 structed to state that this action on the part of Her Majesty's Govern- 

 ment must not be taken as an admission of the rights of jurisdiction in 

 Behring Sea exercised there by the United States authorities during 

 the fishing seasons of 188G-'87 and 1887-'88, nor as attecting the claims 

 which Her Majesty's Government will have to present on account of 

 the wrongful seizures Avhich have taken place of British vessels en- 

 gaged in the seal lishing industry. 

 I have, etc., 



L. S. Sackville West. 



Mr. Bayard to Sir L. 8. Saclcville West. 



Department of State, 

 Washingion, March 30, 18S8. 

 Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 

 26th instant in which you inform the Department that the action of 

 Her Majesty's Government in respect to the proposal of this Govern- 

 ment for an arrangement to protect the fur seal from extermination in 

 Behring Sea, is not to be taken as an admission of the jurisdiction of 

 the United States over Bering Sea, nor as affecting the claims which 

 Her Majesty's Government will have to present on account of the seiz- 

 ure of certaiii Britisli vessels in those waters. 

 I have, etc.. 



T. r. Bayakd. 



Sir L. S. Sacboille West to Mr. Bayard. 



WasiiinCtTON, Airril 2, 188S. (Received April 3.) 

 Sir: T have the honor to inform you that the Marcpiis of Salisbury 

 has received intimation from the Canadian Government to the effect 

 that orders have been issued by the United States Government for the 

 capture of British ships fishing in Behring Sea, and tluit he has tele- 

 giaphe<l to me to re])resent earnestly the extreme importance of ena- 

 bling Her Majesty's Government to contradict this rumor. 

 I have, etc., 



L. S. Sackville West. 



Mr. White to 3Ir. Bayard. 



[Telegram.] 



Legation of the United States, 



London, April 7, 1888. (Received April 7.) 

 Mr. Wliite stated that on tlie following Thursday he was to meet 

 Lord Salisbury and M, de Staal to discuss the question of the i)rotec 



