208 APPENDIX TO CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 
187 No. 107. 
Colonial Office to Foreign Office.—( Received March 29.) 
DOWNING STREET, March 28, 1888. 
Sir: With reference to the letter from this Department of the 24th 
instant, and to yours of the same date, relating to the alleged clearing 
for Behring’s Sea of certain Canadian sealing schooners with armed 
Indian crews, for the purpose of resisting the American Revenue eut- 
ters, should the commanders of the latter attempt to molest them, Lam 
directed by Lord Knutsford to transmit to you, to be laid before the 
Marquis of Salisbury, a telegram received from the Governor-General 
of Canada, from which it appears that this rumour is not unfounded. 
Lord Knutsford desires to call the attention of Lord Salisbury to the 
suggestion of the Governor-General that the Admiralty should instruct 
the Admiral commanding on the station to watch the proceedings on 
the spot. 
His Lordship would also suggest that this matter should be brought 
under the immediate notice of the United States Government in order 
that a definite announcement of their intentions during the present 
season with reference to the Behring’s Sea sealers may be obtained; 
with such information Her Majesty’s Government would be better able 
to consider how further complications may best be avoided. 
I am, We. 
(Signed) EDWARD WINGFIELD. 
[Inclosure in No. 107.—Telegraphic.] 
Lord Lansdowne to Lerd Knutsford. 
Orrawa, March 27, 1888. 
Tam informed by Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia that sealers on the 
point of departure for Behring’s Sea are arming the vessels and crews to resist cap- 
ture by American Revenue cutters. We think it desirable that Admiral should be 
instructed to watch proceedings on the spot. I have telegraphed to Lieutenant- 
Governor to issue notice cautioning sealers to refrain from any assertion of right by 
force of arms, and pointing out grave results which might ensue from resort to arms 
whilst negotiations stillin progress. It seems to us impossible to prevent fishermen 
taking on 1 board the arms and ammunition usually required for their own protection 
and for use in seal- fishing. Reports reach us from Victoria that United States Gov- 
ernment has issued orders for the seizure of all sealers found this season in Behring’s 
Sea. Let me again urge necessity of obtaining from United States Government 
definite announcement of its intentions during present fishing season in those waters. 
No. 108. 
The Marquis of Salisbury to Sir L. West.—( Substance telegraphed.) 
FOREIGN OFFICE, Varch 30, 1888. 
Str: I inclose, for your information, a copy of a letter from the 
Colonial Office,* inclosing a telegram from the Governor-General of 
Canada, from which it appears that the British vessels and crews now 
fitting out for the approaching seal-fishing season in Behring’s Sea are 
being armed with a view to offering resistance to their capture by 
American cruizers when so occupied. 
*No. 107. 
