eye 
APPENDIX TO CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. BLO 
No. 343. 
Sir J. Pauncefote to the Marquis of Salishury.—( Received May 31.) 
[Telegraphic. ] 
WASHINGTON, May 30, 1890. 
I received last night from the Secretary of State a long note, copy of 
which I have sent by bag to-day, on the question of the negotiations 
for a close season in the Behring’s Sea. 
The note commences by a protest against the course alleged to be 
pursued by Her Majesty’s Government in ‘authorizing, encouraging, 
and protecting” British vessels, who, if maintains, are interfering with 
the rights of the United States and those of the whole civilized world 
by taking seals in that sea. 
Thehistory of the negotiations for a close season from their commence- 
ment is reviewed in the note, which then goes on to inveigh strongly 
against the change of position taken by Her Majesty’s Government in 
the negotiations, which change, the Secretary of State maintains, has 
been brought about by the “interposition of Canada.” Mr. Blaine then 
points out that the arrangements which were proposed in 1888 relative 
to a close season, and those which were proposed in the draft Conven- 
tion, must be considered to be “in significant contrast.” Moreover, the 
latter are, in the opinion of the United States Government, quite inad- 
equate to protect the rights of the United States in the Behring’s Sea. 
They are equally insufficient for the preservation of seal life. 
The United States and Russia have consequently no other course but 
to reject our proposals. The negotiations will, however, be continued 
by the United States Government in the hope that a satisfactory agree- 
ment may be arrived at, although it is too late, the note says, for the 
application of any result, which may be reached, to this season. Mr. 
Blaine maintains that the responsibility of the delays which have 
occurred cannot be laid to the charge of his Government. 
The note contains at the conclusion a proposal on the part of the 
United States Government that with the view of avoiding any inter- 
ruption of the negotiations by any ‘‘untoward events,” all British ves- 
sels shall be prevented by Her Majesty’s Government from entering 
_the Behring’s Sea. 
469 No. 344. 
The Marquis of Salisbury to Sir J. Pauncefote. 
[Telegraphic.j 
ForREIGN OFFICE, May 31, 1890. 
_ Inreply to your telegram of the 30th instant, I have to state that it 
is impossible, on grounds both of law and of policy, for Her Majesty’s 
Government to accept Mr. Blaine’s suggestion that British sealing- 
Ships should be forbidden to enter the Behring’s Sea. 
