APPENDIX TO CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 505 
the Aleutian Islands, I have, out of deference to your views and to the wishes 
of the Russian Minister, adopted the fishery line described in Article V, and which 
was sugevested by you at the outset of our negotiation. 
The drait, of course, contemplates the conclusion of a further Convention, after 
full examination of the Report of the Mixed Commission. It also makes provision 
for the ultimate settlement by arbitration of any differences which the Report of 
the Commission may still fail to adjust, whereby the important element of finality 
issecured; and in order to give to the proposed arrangement the widest international 
basis, the draft provides that the other Powers shall be invited to accede to it. 
Theabove proposals are, of Course, submitted ad referendum, and it only now remains 
for me to commend them to your favourable consideration and to that of the Russian 
Minister. They have been framed by me in a spirit of justice and conciliation, and 
with the most earnest desire to terminate the controversy in a manner honourable 
to all parties, and worthy of the three great nations concerned. 
I have, &c. 
(Signed) JULIAN PAUNCEFOTE. 
[Inclosure 2 in No. 326.] 
THE NorTH AMERICAN SEAL FISHERY CONVENTION, 
Draft Convention between Great Britain, Russia, and the United States of America, in 
relation to the Fur-seal Iishery in the Dehring’s Sea, the Sea of Ochotsk, and the adjoin- 
ing waters. 
The Governments of Russia and of the United States having repre- Preamble. 
sented to the Government of Great Britain the urgency of regulating, 
by means of an International Agreement, the fur- “seal fishery in Beh- 
ring’s Sea, the Sea of Ochotsk, and the adjoining waters, for ‘the pres- 
ervation of the fur-seal species in the North Pacific Ocean, and 
differences of opinion having arisen as to the necessity for the pro- 
posed Agreement, in consequence whereof the three Governments have 
resolved to institute a full inquiry into the subject, and pending the 
result of such inquiry, to adopt temporary measures for the restriction 
of the killing of seals during the breeding season without prejudice to 
the ultimate decision of the questions in difference in relation to the 
said fishery 
Thesaid three Governments have appointed as their respective Pleni- 
potentiaries, to wit: 
Who, after having exchanged their full powers, which were found 
to be in good and due form, have agreed upon the following Articles: 
ARTICLE I. 
The High Contracting Parties agree to appoint a Mixed Commission Mix 
ixed Com. 
of Experts, who shall inquire fully into the subject, and report to the jission of Ex- 
High Contracting Parties within two years from the date of this Con- perts to be ap- 
vention the result of their investigations, together with their opinions pointed. 
and recommendations on the following questions: 
1. Whether Regulations properly entorced upon the breeding islands 
(Robin Island in the Sea of Ochotsk, and the Commander Islands 
and the Pribyloff Islands in the Behring’s Sea) and in the territorial 
waters surrounding those islands are sufficient for the preservation of 
the fur-seal species. 
2. If not, how far from the islands is it necessary that such Regula- 
tions should be enforced in order to preserve the species? 
3. In either of the above cases, what should such Regulations pro- 
vide? 
4. If a close season is required on the breeding islands and terri- 
torial waters, what months should it embrace? 
5. If a close season is necessary outside of the breeding island as 
well, what extent of waters and what period or periods should it 
embrace # 
