MODUS VIVENDI OF 1891 AND ARBITEATION. 335 



might be expected. On August 24 you wrote me ackiiowledgiiig the 

 receipt ofmiue of August 22 and expressing the hope that you woukl 

 be in a position to reply to my note of July 23 in the course of the next 

 few days. More than ten weeks have elapsed since sending you my 

 note of July 23, and no answer to it has yet been received. The Presi- 

 dent is very desirous to have a conclusion reached in the negotiations 

 concerning the Behring Sea matters, and has requested me to draw your 

 attention again to the importance of an early reply to his latest pro- 

 posal. The period fixed by the agreement for a modus virendi expires 

 May 2 next. The time within which it is hoped to obtain a final settle- 

 ment of the questions in dispute between the two Governments is fast 

 going by, and the President feels that, if any etfective action is to be 

 had in the matter before the next fishing season opens, all the terms of 

 agreement of arbitration should be disposed of immediately. 

 Very truly yours, 



William F. Whaeton, 



Acting Secretary. 



Sir Julian Pauncefote to Mr, Wharton. 



British Legation, 

 WasJiin{jto>i, October 13, 1891. 



My Dear Mr. Wharton : On receipt of your letter of yesterday, 

 asking for a reply to your note of July 23 last, containing a form of 

 clause proposed by your Government to be inserted in the Behring See 

 Arbitration agreement to settle the long debated question of damages, 

 I telegraphedto Lord Salisbury for further instructions, informing him 

 of the substance of your communication. 



I understand that his lordship is expected in London this week from 

 the south of Europe, and I shall probably therefore receive an answer 

 to my telegram before many days. 



Although, as you observe, more than ten Aveeks have elapsed since 

 the date of your official note above referred to, I need hardly remind 

 you that the intervening time has been taken up with informal dis- 

 cussions between us with a view to finding a solution of the difficulty 

 without unduly lengthening the official correspondence. This informal 

 interchange of views, which no doubt had the approval of the Presi- 

 dent, has not been without advantage in throwing light on the trouble- 

 some question which still impedes the conclusion of the agreement, and 

 I now hoi)e I may soon be in a position to resume the official corre 

 si)ondence. 



Very truly yours, 



Julian Pauncefote. 



Sir Julian Pauncefote to Mr. Wharton. 



British Legation, 



Washington, October 17, 1891. 



Sir: Immediately on the receipt of your note of the 23d of July last, 

 relative to the form of compensation clause to be inserted in tlie Behring 

 Sea Arbitration agreement, I transmitted a coi)y of it to the Marquis of 

 Salisbury. 



