218 APPENDIX TO CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 
No. 121. 
The Marquis of Salisbury to Sir R. Morier.* 
FOREIGN OFFICE, April 16, 1888. 
Str: The Russian Ambassador and the United States Chargé 
@Attaires called upon me this afternoon to discuss the question of the 
seal fisheries in Behring’s Sea, which had been brought into prominence 
by the recent action of the United States. 
The United States Government had expressed a desire that some 
agreement should be arrived at between the three Governments for the 
purpose of prohibiting the slaughter of the seals during the time of 
breeding; and, at my request, M. de Staal had obtained instructions 
from his Government on that question. 
At this preliminary discussion it was decided provisionally, in order 
to furnish a basis for negotiation, and without definitively pledging our 
Governments, that the space to be covered by the proposed Convention 
should be the sea between America and Russia north of the 47th degree 
of latitude; that the close time should extend from the 15th April to 
the 1st November; that during that time the slaughter of all seals 
should be forbidden; and vessels engaged in it should be liable to seizure 
by the cruizers of any of the three Powers, and should be taken to 
the port of their own nationality for condemnation; that the traffic in 
arms, alcohol, and powder should be prohibited in all the islands of those 
seas; and that, as soon as the three Powers had concluded a Conven- 
tion, they should join in submitting it for the assent of the other Mari- 
time Powers of the northern seas. 
The United States Chargé d’A ffaires was exceedingly earnest in press- 
ing on us the importance of dispatch on account of the inconceivable 
slaughter that had been and was still going on in these seas. Hestated 
that, in addition to the vast quantity brought to market, it was a com- 
mon practice for those engaged in the trade to shoot all seals they 
might meet in the open sea, and that of these a great number sank, so 
that their skins could not be recovered. 
Iam, &e. ; (Signed) , SALISBURY. 
197 No. 122. 
The Marquis of Salisbury to Sir L. West.—(Substance telegraphed.) 
FOREIGN OFFICE, April 17, 1888. 
Sir: Her Majesty’s Government have had under consideration the 
particulars received by them in regard to the claims of British sealing- 
vessels seized in Behring’s Sea, and warned off by the United States 
authorities. 
‘They consider that it would be difficult to arrive at a just estimate of 
the amount of the claims in question without an investigation by a 
Mixed Commission into the circumstances under which these claims 
have arisen, which require verification. 
I have accordingly to request you to ascertain whether the United 
States Government would agree to the appointment of a Mixed Com. 
_ mission, whose functions should be restricted to inquiring whether any 
compensation is due, and, if so, how much in each case. 
Lam, We. (Signed) SALISBURY. 
* Also to Sir L. West. 
A ands, 
[ee 
