238 DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENCE. 



In pursuance of this dispatcli, tlie suggestion made by Mr. Bayard, 

 to wliicli I referred, was discussed and negotiatious were initiated for 

 an agreement between tlie three powers. The following dispatch con- 

 tains the record of wiiat I believe was the first meeting between the 

 three powers on the subject: 



The Mai-qui8 of Salishury to Sir L. West. 



Foreign OFiacE^ Jpril 16, ISSS. 



Sir: The Russian Ambassador and the United States charge d'affaires called upon 

 me this aftfrnoon to discuss the question of the seal fisheries in Behriug Sea, which 

 had beeu brouglit into prominence by the recent action of the United States. 



The United States Government had expressed a desire that some agreement should 

 l)e arrived at between the three Governments for the purpose of prohibiting the 

 slaughter of the seals during the time of breeding; and, at my request, M. de Staal 

 had obtained instructions from his Government on that question. 



At this preliminary discussion it was AecideA provisionally, in order 1o furnish a basis 

 fornef/otiation, and without definitively pledginq our Governments, thatthe space to be cov- 

 ered by the proposed convention should be the sea between America and Russia north 

 of the forty-seventh degree of latitude ; that the close time should extend from the 15th 

 April to the 1st November; that during that time the slaughter of all seals should bo 

 forbidden, and vessels engaged in it should be liable to seizure by the cruisers of 

 any of the three powers and should be taken to the port of their own nationality 

 for condemnation; thatthe traffic inarms, alcohol, and powder should be prohibited 

 in all the islands of those seas; and that, as soon as the three powers had concluded 

 a convention, they should join in submitting it for the assent of the other maritime 

 powers of the northern seas. 



The United States chargd d'affaires was exceedingly earnest in pressing on ns the 

 importance of dispatch, on account of the inconceivable slaughter that had been and 

 was still going on in these seas. He stated that, in addition to the vast quantity 

 brought to market, it was a common practice for those engaged in the trade to shoot 

 all seals they might meet in the open sea, and that of these a great number sank, so 

 that their skins could not be recovered. 

 I am, etc., 



Salisbury. 



It was impossible to state more distinctly that any proposal made 

 was provisional, and was merely made for the purpose of enabling the 

 requisite negotiations to proceed. The subsequent discussion of these 

 proposals was undoubtedly delayed in consequence of the length of 

 time occupied by the Canadian Government in collecting from consid- 

 erable distances the information which they required before their opin- 

 ion on the subject could be thoroughly formed, and after that it was de- 

 layed, I believe, chiefly in consequence of the political events in the 

 United States unconnected with this question. I think it desirable to 

 correct the misconceptions which have arisen with respect to these 

 transactions, though 1 do not think that, even if the view of them which 

 is taken by Mr. Blaine is accurate, they Avould bear out the argument 

 which he founds upon them. 



I shall be glad if you will take the opi^ortunity of informing Mr. 

 Blaine of these corrections. 

 1 am, etc., 



SAilSBURY. 



Sir Julian Pauncefotc to Mr. Blaine. 



Washington, June 30, 1890. 

 Sir: I have received a dispatch from the Marcptis of Salisbury with 

 reference to the passage in your note to nu' of the 4th instant, in which 

 you remark that in 1888 his lordship abruptly closed the negotiations 



