460 APPENDIX TO CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 
The difficulty was to fix the limits of a close season both as to its 
area and its duration. Mr. Bayard in his despatch to Mr. White of 
the Ist May, 1888, had distinctly stated that only such a period is 
desired “as may be requisite for the end in view.” This equally 
applied to the question of area. 
It would be strange therefore if no machinery could be devised to 
surmount the difficulty. 
1 then stated that I had prepared a scheme which provided such 
machinery, and that I had actually put it in the form of a draft Con- 
vention which I proposed to refer to your Lordship, and, if approved, 
to lay before the Conference as the counter-proposal of Her Majesty’s 
Government. 
I then explained the general provisions of the scheme. 
The draft Convention lays down in the first place that there shall be 
a close season, but that in view of the conflict of evidence which has 
arisen as to what should be its area and duration, a Commission of 
experts shall be appointed to report on the matter, and that if,on the 
examination of their Report the three Governments should still be 
unable to settle the conditions of a close season, the points in difference 
shall be referred to the arbitration of an impartial Government, whose 
award shall finally determine the close season for the purposes of the 
Convention. 
The draft also provides for the immediate adoption and enforcement 
of a provisional close time as to which the High Contracting Parties 
would probably be disposed to be more yielding by reason of its tem- 
porary and experimental character, and in view of the prospect of an 
ultimate and impartial decision on the questions in dispute. 
The other Articles of the draft provide for the enforcement of the 
close season, the trial of offenders, the duration of the Convention, and 
the accession thereto of other Powers. 
Mr. Blaine and M. de Struve declined to look at the draft or to express 
any opinion on the scheme until it should be formally placed before 
them, but they listened to its details with evident interest, and I 
observed no indication of serious dissent or unfavourable criticism on 
their part. 
I am not without hope therefore that if its general features should 
meet with your Lordship’s approval, it may form a basis of arrangement, 
and present an issue out of the difficulties of the situation. 
Mr. Tupper, who concurs generally in the draft, has returned to Ottawa 
to consult his Government thereon, and the next meeting of the Con- 
ference is adjourned pending the receipt of your Lordship’s further 
instructions. 
I have, &c. 
(Signed) JULIAN PAUNCEFOTE. 
No. 314. 
_ Sir J. Pauncefote to the Marquis of Salishury.—( Received March 31.) 
WASHINGTON, March 21, 1890. 
My Lorp: I have the honour to inclose a cutting from the New York 
“Tribune” of the 19th instant, containing an article on the Alaska Sea 
fisheries, headed ‘‘ Rights in Behring’s Sea.” 
- 
«~~. 4 sh eee. 
