APPENDIX TO CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 291 
sealing might, and probably would, injure financially an American corporation, even- 
tually, perhaps, even our Government, may be deplorable, but will not be accepted as 
our justification for interference with the rights of other nations, involving the 
infliction of injustice on individual foreigners. 
The whole course of our Government, its action as well as its inaction, in this matter 
is open to severe criticism. It looks as if, in this matter, we repudiated all our tradi- 
tional and sterling maxims of international obligations, as if we had substituted for 
our old trusty and trusted moral compass a new one, and that one subject to the most 
astounding variations, according to locality—variations eclipsing in scope any similar 
performance of the mariner’s compass. Within certain moderate limits, there may 
be as good local reasons for the variations of the moral compass as for those of the 
mariner’s instrument; but an absolute turning end for end, an inversion of north and 
south, of right and wrong, the claim that a general principle of law has one effect 
here and the opposite effect elsewhere, will not be accepted, in either navigation or 
law, by either experts or merely common-sense people. When the captain finds that 
the card of his compass calls that north which the sun in the heavens proves to be 
the south, you cannot fool the captain into believing that compass. He will tell you 
that, though the needle is as right as ever, someboily has been monkeying” with the 
ecard. He will at once correct the falsification. The sooner Uncle Sam goes and does 
likewise in this Pacific contention the better for all concerned, and particularly for 
the international reputation of our country as an upright, a fair-dealing, a just people. 
(Signed) ROBERT RAYNER. 
No. 201. 
Colonial Office to Foreign Office.—( Received July 27.) 
DOWNING STREET’, July 27, 1889. 
Sir: With reference to previous correspondence, I am «lirected by 
Lord Knutsford to transmit to you, to be laid before the Marquis of 
Salisbury, a copy of a despatch from the Governor-General of Canada, 
with its inclosures, urging the desirability of such steps being taken as 
will secure reparation for the damages sustained by sealers of the 
Dominion, in consequence of the seizure of Canadian sealing-vessels in 
Behring’s Sea, and the withdrawal of the claim advanced by the Gov- 
ernment of the United States to exclusive jurisdiction over the waters 
of that sea. 
As Lord Salisbury is aware that a considerable delay has occurred in 
the presentation of these claims, Lord Knutsford would suggest that 
the claims should be presented to the United States Government at an 
early date, unless there are strong reasons of policy against this course, 
Iam, We. 
(Signed) Rosert G. W. HERBERT, 
{Inclosure 1 in No. 201.] 
Lord Stanley of Preston to Lord Knutsford. 
NEw RicHMmonp, P. Q., June 12, 1889. 
My Lorp: With reference to previous correspondence on the subject of the seiz- 
ures of Canadian sealing-vessels in Behring’s Sea, I have the honour to forward to 
your Lordship a copy of an approved Minute of my Privy Council concurring in a 
Report submitted by the Minister of Marine and Fisheries, who deals fully with the 
whole question of these seizures, and strougly urges the desirability of such steps 
being taken by Her Majesty’s Government as shall secure full reparation for the dam- 
ages sustained by Canadian sealers, and the retraction of the claim advanced by the 
United States Government to exclusive jurisdiction over the waters of Behrine’s Sea. 
Lhaye, &c, 
(Signed) STANLEY OF PRESTON, 
