526 APPENDIX TO CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 
I informed him that a formal protest by Her Majesty’s Government 
against any interference with British vessels in Behring’s Sea would 
be forwarded to him without delay. 
I have, &c. 
(Signed) JULIAN PAUNCEFOTE. 
{Inclosure in No. 352.) 
Mr. Blaine to Sir J. Pauncefote. 
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, May 26, 1890. 
Sir: I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 23rd instant, 
in which you inform me that Her Britannic Majesty’s Government will formally pro- 
test against certain action recently taken by this Government for the protection of 
the Alaska seal fisheries. 
I have, &c. 
(Signed) J. G. BLAINE. 
475 No. 353. 
Sir J. Pauncefote to the Marquis of Salishury.—( Received June 9.) 
WASHINGTON, May 30, 1890. 
My Lorp: With reference to my telegram of to-day’s date, I have 
the honour to inclose copy of the note which I have received from Mr. 
Blaine, informing me of the rejection of the draft Convention by his 
Government and that of Russia, and stating the grounds for that 
decision. 
I have, &c. 
(Signed) JULIAN PAUNCEFOTE. 
{Inclosure in No. 353.] 
Mr. Blaine to Sir J. Pauncefote. 
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, May 29, 1890. 
Str: Your note of the 23rd instant, already acknowledged, informs this Govern- 
ment that you ‘have been instructed by the Marquis of Salisbury to state that Her 
Majesty’s Government would forward, without delay, a protest” against the course 
which this Government has found it necessary, under the laws of Congress, to pursue 
in the waters of the Behring’s Sea. 
In turn, Iam instructed by the President to protest against the course of the 
British Government in authorizing, encouraging, and protecting vessels which are 
not only interfering with American rights in the Behring’s Sea, but which are doing 
violence as well to the rights of the civilized world. ‘They are engaged in a warfare 
against seal life, disregarding all the Regulations which lead to its protection, and 
committing acts which lead ultimately to its destruction, as has been the case in 
every part of the world where the abuses which are now claimed as British rights 
have been practised. 
The President is surprised that such protest should be authorized by Lord Salis- 
bury, especially because the previous declarations of his Lordship would seem to 
render it impossible. -On the 11th November, 1887, Lord Salisbury, in an official 
interview with the Minister from the United States (Mr. Phelps), cordially agreed that 
“a Code of Regulations should be adopted for the preservation of the seals in Beh- 
rine’s Sea from destruction at improper times, by improper means, by the citizens of 
either country.” And Lord Salisbury suggested that Mr. Phelps ‘‘should obtain 
from his Government, and submit to him (Lord Salisbury), a sketch of a system of 
