PROPOSED INTERNATIONAL MEASURES, 1887-'83. 191 



Mr. Bayard to Mr. Hubbard. 



No. 223.] Depart.^ient of State, 



Wasliiiu/fon, July 18, 1S88. 



Sir: I have received your No. 483 of tlie 23d ultimo, saying tLat the 

 Japanese Minister for Foreign Alfairs liad iufornmlly inquired of you 

 lately concerning tlie proposed convention between the United States 

 and Japan, looking to tlie protection of fur seals in Bering Sea, which 

 formed the subject of my instruction No. 171 of November 21, 1887. 



Negotiation with Jai)an in reference to the i)rotection of the seals in 

 Behring Sea has been delayed by the unexpected protraction of the ne- 

 gotiation with Great Biitain and Itussia. It is thought desirable that 

 the arrangement between these countries should be permitted to assume 

 a definite and settled form before other agreements are formulated. It 

 is hoped that the matter will soon be in such shape as to permit the 

 entrance upon formal negotiations Avith .Japan. 



In the nrean time, however, the question might be informally discussed 

 with the Japanese Government, with a view to ascertain just what is 

 desired of the United States in regard to the protection of the sea otter. 

 1 am, etc., 



T. F. Bayard. 



Mr. Bayard to Mr. Hubbard. 



[Coiiliileiitial.] 



N"o. 232.] Department of State, 



Washington, August ,9, 1888. 



Sir : I have to acknowledge the receipt of your No. 492, of tiie 13th 

 ultimo, in which you transmit a copy of a note from Count Okuma, 

 Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, of the 7th ultimo, in which he states 

 the desire of his Goverimient to instinct its representative in London 

 to take i)art in the negotiations there pending between the Government 

 of the ITnited States and that of Great Britain for a convention for 

 the i)rolection of stals in Behring Sea, provided the negotiations have 

 reached a stage which wouhl admit of such participation. 



In reply you promised his excellency that you wuuhl request your 

 Government to furnish you with full information respecting the progress 

 of tlie negotiations. 



No chaiige is known to have taken ])lace in the state of the negotia 

 tioiis at London since the Department last wrote you on the subject. 

 Four months ago strong hopes were entertained here that the conven- 

 tion would soon be concluded. But the Department is now informed 

 that the views of Her Britannic Majesty's Minister ior Foreign Affairs 

 have met with obstruction from Canada. Avheie vessels are yearly fitted 

 out for the purpose of preying upon seal lile by the useof tirearmsand 

 other destructive weapons. 



It is not pert eived, therefore, how the participation of Japan in the 

 negotiations at Loudon could promote their successful conclusion. 

 There is not knoAvn to be any difference of opinion between this Gov- 

 ernment and that of Her Britannic Majesty as to the necessity and pro- 

 in-iety of the international arrangement, now under consideration, for 

 the i->rotection of the seals in Behiing Sea. 



