APPENDIX TO CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. pHs 
the place of their Bill, the passing of which was evidently impossible 
on account of want of time. The Senate refused to accept the House 
amendment, and the Bill was accordingly referred to a Conference, the 
result of whose action was its acceptance at the last hour by both 
Houses. Iam told that the President’s approval and signature were 
really only obtained on Sunday, the 5rd instant, but as that day is not 
a legal day, the approval is dated the 2d instant. 
Like many other Acts, it was hurried through the Legislature in its 
last hours without any but its immediate instigators having any 
knowledge of its scope or even of its effect, and there can be no doubt 
but that the House amendment to the Senate Bill, that is to say, see- 
tion 3, has been the work of those interested in the Alaska Fur-seal 
Company. 
The President has lost no time in making use of the authority it has 
given him, by issuing the Proclamation which appeared yesterday, one 
of the objects of which is to again assert the claim of the United 
States to dominion over the Behring’s Sea, which claim the United 
States Government denied when it was put forward by the Russian 
Government by the Imperial Ukase of the 14th (16th) September, 1821. 
The Proclamation may also deter American and Canadian fisher- 
men from engaging in seal fishing in the open waters of the Behring’s 
Sea this season. 
Section 1956 of the Revised Statutes provides for the punishment of 
persons killing fur-bearing animals without the authorization of the 
Secretary of the Treasury (the taking of seals being still further 
restricted) “within the limits of Alaska Territory, or in the waters 
thereof.” 
Section 3 of the Act of the 2nd March, 1889, extends section 1956 to 
‘all the dominion of the United States in the waters of the Behring’s 
Sea.” 
It may consequently be thought that the Proclamation following 
upon the Act is an attempt to settle an international question, which, 
doubtless, other Powers may still consider an open one. 
I have, &c. 
(Sigued) H. G. EDWARDES. 
Nowis7. 
Mr. Edwardes to the Marquis of Salishury.—( Received April 5.) 
WASHINGTON, March 25, 1889. 
My Lorp: With reference to my dispatch of the 18th instant, inelos- 
ing a copy of the Act to provide for the protection of the salmon fish- 
eries of Alaska, I have now the honour to report in detail the course 
of this Act through the two Houses in Congress. 
On the 25th February, Mr. Stockbridge, Senator for Michigan, intro- 
duced a Bill, copy inclosed, to amend section 1963 of the Revised Stat- 
utes, and to provide for the better protection of the fur seals and 
salmon fisheries of Alaska, and for other purposes, which was read 
twice and referred to the Committee on Fisheries. 
The Bill was reported back by Mr. Stockbridge a few days later, copy 
of Report is herewith inclosed, the Committee having recommended an 
amendment in the nature of a substitute, The whole Bill as amended 
