BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND GREAT BRITAIN. 49 



The British Foreign Office to the American Ambassador. 



Foreign Office, September 6th, 1907. 



Your Excellency. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt 

 of Your Excellency's note of the 4th instant, containing the terms of 

 the Modus Vivendi with regard to the Newfoundland fisheries, — 

 which you are authorized hy your Government to ratify. 



I am glad to assure your Excellency that His Majesty's Government 

 agrees to the terms of the Modus Vivendi and that your Excellency's 

 note will be considered by His Majesty's Government as a sufficient 

 ratification of that arrangement on the part of His Majesty's Govern- 

 ment. 



His Majesty's Government fully shares the desire of your Govern- 

 ment that the provisions of the Modus Vivendi should be made ef- 

 fective at the earliest possible moment, and the necessary steps will be 

 taken by His Majesty's Government to secure its observance. 



His Majesty's Government takes note of the conciliatory offer of 

 the United States Government to consider in a most friendly spirit 

 any changes in the Modus Vivendi which may be agreed upon locally 

 between the Newfoundland authorities and the United States fisher- 

 men and which may be acceptable both to the United States Govern- 

 ment and to His Majesty's Government. 



T have the honour to be, with the highest consideration, Your 

 Excellency's most obedient humble servant, 



E. Grey]. 



I lis Excellency The Honorable "Whitelaw Reid, c&g &c <&c 



AGREEMENT EFFECTED BY EXCHANGE OF NOTES AT LONDON. JULY 15-23, 



1908. 



Tin Hiitish foreign office to the American Ambassador. 



Foreign Office. July 15, 1908. 



Your Excellency, On the L8th ultimo Your Excellency pro- 

 posed on behalf of the United State- Government that, as arbitra- 

 tion in regard to the Newfoundland fisheries question could not be 

 arranged before the forthcoming fishery season, the "modus vivendi" 

 of last year should be renewed with the same elasticity as before for 

 the parties concerned to make local arrangements satisfactory to 

 both sides. 



I have the honour to be, with the highest consideration. Your 

 land Government, having been cosulted on the subject, have ex- 

 pressed the desire thai the herring fishery during the ensuing season 

 should be conducted on the same principles as in the season of L907. 

 and formally undertake to permit during this year the conduct 01 

 the herring fishery as la-t year. 



A the arrangements for las! year were admittedly satisfactory to 

 all concerned in the fishing, Hi- Majesty's Government hope that the 

 LTnited States Government will see their way <<> accept tnis formal 

 assurance on the part of the Newfoundland government as a satis- 

 factory arrangement for the season of 1008. If this course be adopted 



