516 APPENDIX TO CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 
In reply, he said that the press could not be controlled; that his 
answer was delayed in order to return a joint reply with Russia; that 
our draft Convention was quite inadequate to the necessities of the 
case. He inveighed against the words of Article VI, which purports 
to prescribe regulations on land, and urged that, as there would be no 
seals without the seal islands, the possession of those islands gave the 
United States special rights on the open sea, in order to enable them 
to protect the species. The United States Government would never 
admit that, as regards the seal fishery, the rights of Great Britain in 
Behring’s Sea were equal to their own. Nothing short of the total exclu- 
sion of sealing-vessels during the summer months, in which we proposed 
to leave the fisheries open, would satisfy them. 
J strongly insisted that the sole ground of discussion was the 
466 preservation of the seals, reminding him of his assurance at our 
last interview that the draft offered a basis of negotiation. 
He replied that on that oecasion he had in his mind the question of 
arbitration, but he did not think we would ever agree as to the form of 
questions to be subinitted to arbitration. 
I will not cease to press Mr. Blaine that our proposals may receive a 
formal reply. 
No. 338. 
{Extract from the ‘“‘ Morning Post” of May 23, 1890.] 
The Behring’s Sea Fisheries. 
{[Reuter’s Telegram. ] 
NEw York, May 21. 
The United States Revenue cutter “Bear” has been ordered to cruize 
in the Behring’s Sea for the protection of the seal fisheries, with 
instructions to seize and dismantle all vessels found violating the 
Statute, in order to deprive them of the means of its further violation. 
The vessel is also ordered to seize the logs and skins on board vessels 
found illegally fishing, and to preserve them as evidence against the 
offending persons. 
No. 339. 
The Marquis of Salisbury to Sir J. Pauncefote. 
[Telegraphic.] 
FOREIGN OFFICE, May 23, 1890. 
This morning’s newspapers contain a paragraph which states, in sub- 
stance, that the United States Government have instructed some of 
their ships of war to proceed to Behring’s Sea, with orders to take such 
steps as may be necessary to prevent the merchant-vessels of other 
nations from pursuing their calling as fur-sealers in non-territorial 
waters. 
The communications made to you by Mr. Secretary Blaine, as recorded 
in your telegram of the 22nd instant, givea general confirmation of the 
statements of the press. 
I have to instruct you to inform the Secretary of State that a formal 
protest against any such interference with British vessels is now being 
prepared, and that no time will be lost in forwarding it to him, 
