354 DIPLOAIATIC CORRESPONDENCE. 



would be as if, Avliile an arbitration to the title of timber land were in 

 progresi:>, one party sbould remove all the trees. 



I shall have to ask you to transmit the contents of this note to Lord 

 Salisbury by telegraph. Every day that is lost now entails great 

 trouble upon both Governments. 

 I have, etc., 



James G. Blaine. 



Mr. Blaine to Sir Julian Pauncefote. 



Departivient of State, 



Washington, February 26, 1892. 

 My Dear Sir Julian : Mr. Myers, our consul at Victoria, telegraplis 

 to-day that there are — 



Forty-six sailing scliooncrs cleared to date. Six or seven more to go. At the same 

 date last year tbirty-oue cleared. 



I think from this you will see that if we do not come to an under- 

 standing soon there will be no need of an agreement relating to seals 

 in the Korth Pacific or in the Behring Sea. I will be glad if you will 

 let Lord Salisbury know this fact. 

 Very truly, yours, 



James G. Blaine. 



Mr. Blaine to Sir Julian Pauncefote. 



Department of State, 



Washinf/ton, February 27, 1892. 

 Sir : I have the honor to state that if you will have the kindness to 

 call at this Department on Monday morning next, the 29th instant, at 11 

 o'clock, I shall be prepared to sign with you the treaty for the arbitra- 

 tion of the Behring Sea question which has been agreed upon between 

 the Government of the United States and that of Her Britannic Majesty. 

 I have, etc., 



Jaimes G. Blaine. 



Sir Julian Pauncefote to Mr. Blaine. 



British Legation, 

 Washington, February 29, 1892. (Eeceived March 1.) 

 Sir: Immediately upon the receipt of your note of the 24th instant, 

 respecting a renewal of iha modus vivcndi in Behring Sea, and in accord- 

 ance with the wish therein expressed, I telegiaplied its contents to the 

 Marquis of Salisbury. In that note, after obserxiiig that it is impossi- 

 ble to conclude tlie arbitration within the time originally set, and that 

 tlie delays have been much greater on the part of Great Britain than 

 on the part of the United States, you proceed to inform nie that, in 

 the view of the Ti-esident, the new modus viroidi sliould be nmch the 

 same ais that of last year, in terms; that, owing to tlie earlier date this 

 year, it could be more effectively executed; but that, "if Her Majesty's 



