MODUS VIVENDI OF 1891 AND ARBITRATION. 329 



twefiU the Govermnouts of Great Britain and tlie United States for 

 mutual indemuities in respect of acts committed by the cruisers of one 

 nation against the vessels of the other in execution of tlie modus vivendi. 

 The President desires me to say in reply that it seems to him to be 

 quite unnatural that tlie two Governments, having come to a friendly 

 understandiug as to a modus vivendi and the method of its enforce- 

 ment, should anticipate or attempt to provide against possible breaches 

 or violations of duty by the vessels of either country. It will be time 

 enough, in the President's opinion, when either Government lodges 

 against the other a comjilaint in this regard, to consider the question 

 of indemnity. The President desires me to state that he hopes that no 

 such question may arise, but that he Avill be prepared to meet it in a 

 Mendly spirit, if, unfortunately, differences should develop. 

 I have, etc., 



William F. Wharton, 



Acting Secretary. 



Mr. Wharton to iSir Julian Pauncefote. 



Department of kSTATE, 



Washington^ August 2.2, 1891. 



Sir: Referring to my note to you of the 23d ultimo, relative to the 



proposed agreement of arbitration of certain matters affecting the seal 



fisheries in Behring Sea, I would be extremely obliged if you would be 



kind enough to inform me when an answer to the same may be expected. 



I have, etc., 



William F. Wharton, 



Acting Secretary. 



Sir Julian Pauncefote to Mr. Wharton. 



British Legation, 



Newport, August 34, 1891. 

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

 22d instant, in which you ask me to inform you when you may expect 

 an answer to your note of the 23d ultimo, relative t(^ the jiroposed 

 agreement of arbitration of certain matters affecting the seal fisheries 

 in Behring Sea. 



I very much regret that I have not yet been in a i^osition to reply to 

 the note in question, but I hope to be. able to do so in the course of the 

 next few days. 



I have, etc., 



Julian Pauncefote. 



Sir Julian Pauncefote to Mr. Wharton. 



[Telegram. ] 



Newport, E. I., August 26, 1891. 

 Your note of 22d. Important letter posted to-day. 



Pauncefote. 



42 



