227 APPENDIX TO CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 
Governor-General of Canada, on his Lordship’s suggestion, inquiring 
whether the Dominion Government were aware of any objection to the 
proposed arrangement. 
I am also to inclose a copy of a despatch from Lord Lansdowne, in 
the two concluding paragraphs of which he points out that the prob- 
able effect of the proposed close time on the operations of the Canadian 
sealers would be to exclude them coipletely from the rights which 
they have until lately enjoyed without question or molestation. 
In these circumstances, it is probabie that the United States 
200 proposals may not be accepted by Canada without reserve, and 
Lord Knutsford would suggest that, pending the receipt of the 
observations of the Dominion Government i in response to the invitation 
contained in his despatch of the 8th March, referred to by Lord Lans- 
downe. no final action should be taken in the matter. 
Tam, &e. 
(Signed) ROBERT G. W. HERBERT. 
{Inclosure 1 in No. 128.] 
Lord Knutsford to the Marquis of Lansdowne. 
DOWNING STREET, April 21, 1888. 
My Lorn: I have the honour to acquaint you that I have this day telegraphed to 
you, with reference to your despatch of the 9th instant, that negotiations are pro- 
ceeding between Russia, the United States, and Great Britian with regard to the 
establishment of a close time, during which ‘it would be unlawful to kill seals at sea, 
in any manner, to the north of the 47th parallel of latitude between the coasts of 
JRtussia and America, and inquired whether your Government was aware of any objec- 
tion to the proposed arrangement. 
IT added that, of course, as regards Canadian waters, Canadian legislation would 
be necessary. 
I have, &c. 
(Signed) KNUTSFORD. 
[Inclosure 2 in No. 128.—Extract.] 
The Marquis of Lansdowne to Lord Knutsford. 
F GOVERNMENT Housk, Ottawa, April 9, 1888. 
In reference to my despatch of the 29th March, I have the honour to inclose here- 
with copy of a telegram, dated the Sth instant, from the Attorney-General of British 
Columbia to Sir John Macdonald, acquainting him that my telezram, of which a 
copy was sent to you in the above despatch, had been published in the provincial 
press as a warning to sealing-vessels, and that there was reason to believe that these 
vessels had, in consequence of the intimation thus given, ceased to arm themselves 
for the purpose of resisting the cruizers of the United States. 
I have forwarded to you by this mail copies of a telegram received from Sir L. 
West in reference to the probable action of these cruizers during the present season, 
and of a telegram addressed to him by me in reply. 
I observe that the information obtained by Sir Lionel West from Mr. Bayard, which 
is the same as that communicated to me in your telegraphic despatch of the 6th 
instant, is merely to the effect that no orders have been issued by the United States 
for the capture of British ships fishing in the Behring’s Sea. I need scarcely point 
out that this is not equivalent to an assurance that such vessels will not be molested 
except when found within the 3-mile limit, and that we are not informed whether 
any orders which have been already issued in this connection are or are not still in 
force. 
I need scarely point out that the close time for seals, referred to in your telegram, 
is created under a Statute of the United States, which is not obligatory except upon 
the subjects of that Power. The proposal contained in the inclosure to your Confi- 
dential despatch of the 8th March, 1888, for the adoption of asimilar close season by 
British fishermen is at present receiving the careful consideration of my Government. 
