386 APPENDIX TO CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 
a conflict of opinion. But if, upon a further and more complete exami- 
nation of the evidence, Her Majesty’s Government should come to the 
conclusion that a “close season” is really necessary, and if an agree- 
ment should be arrived at on the subject, all differences on questions 
of legal right would ipso facto disappear. 
Mr. Blaine expressed his readiness to proceed to such an inquiry, 
adding that he would be prepared to establish from Canadian evidence 
alone the absolute necessity for a ‘close season;” but he strongly 
insisted that the inquiry should take place here, and be entirely of a 
diplomatic character. It was suggested, in conversation, that the 
tripartite negotiation commenced in London between Great Britain, the 
United States, and Russia, which, from various causes, had been sus- 
pended, might be resumed in Washington. 
Mr. Blaine expressed his concurrence, but he said he did not wish to 
originate such a proposal. 
I stated that if such an arrangement were agreed to, I should require 
the assistance of experts from Canada, and it should be understood 
that the results of the inquiry should, if desired, be made public to the 
world as a justification of the adoption of a ‘“‘close season,” and an 
inducement to all other nations to observe it. Also, that there should 
be an assurance against any more seizures, and an understanding as to 
compensation to the owners of the vessels and property seized. 
Mr. Blaine replied that if we did not settle the question before next 
April he should despair of our ever doing so, and that until that date, 
when the fishing season reopened, no seizures would take place, for 
there could be no object in them. 
As regards compensation, if an agreement should be arrived at, he 
felt sure that his Government would not wish that private individuals 
who had acted bona fide in the belief that they were exercising their 
lawful rights, should be the victims of a grave dispute between two 
great countries, which had happily been adjusted. He was not without 
hope, therefore, that the wishes I had expressed might be met, and that 
all might be arranged in a manner which should involve no humiliation 
on either side. 
His tone was most friendly throughout, and he manifested a strong 
desire to let all questions of legal right and international law disappear 
in an agreement for a close season, which he believes to be urgently 
called for in the common interest. 
It only now remains for me to solicit your Lordship’s instructions in 
regard to the suggestion of resuming in Washington the tripartite 
negotiation, with a view to arriving, if possible, at such a solution as is 
proposed by Mr. Blaine. 
I have, &e. 
(Signed) JULIAN PAUNCEFOTE. 
352 No. 247. 
Foreign Office to Sir C. Lampson and Co. 
FOREIGN OFFICE, November 13, 1889. 
GENTLEMEN: I am directed by the Marquis of Salisbury to acknowl. 
edge the receipt of your letter of the 6th instant, with its inclosure, 
again calling attention to the effects which are to be apprehended from 
