APPENDIX TO CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 529 
sels might readily capture, would inflict deadly loss upon the rookeries. The 
destruction of the female would be followed by the destruction of their young on 
the islands, and the herds would be diminished the next year by this wholesale 
slaughter of the producing females and their offspring. The 10-mile limit would 
give the marauders the vantage ground for killing the seals that are in the water by 
tens of thousands searching for food. The opportunity, under cover of fog and 
night, for stealing silently upon the islands and slaughtering the seals within a mile 
or even less of the keepers’ residence, would largely increase the aggregate destruc- 
tion. Under such conditions, the British vessels could evenly divide with the United 
States within the 3-mile limit of its own shores, and upon the islands themselves, 
the whole advantage of the seal fisheries. The respect which the scaling vessels 
would pay to the 10-mile limit would be the same that wolves pay to a flock of sheep 
so placed that no shepherd can guard them. This arrangement, according to your 
proposal, was to continue for three months of each year, the best months in the 
478 season for depredations upon the seal herd. No course was left to the United 
States or to Russia but to reject the proposition. 
The propositions made by Lord Salisbury in 1888, and the propositions made by 
Her Majesty’s Minister in Washington in 1890, are in significant contrast. ‘The cir- 
cumstances are the same, the conditions are the same, the rights of the United States 
are the same, in both years. The position of England has changed, because the 
wishes of Canada have demanded tke change. ‘The result then with which the 
United States is expected to be content is, that her rights within the Behring’s Sea 
and on the islands thereof are not absolute, but are to be deteamined by one of Her 
Majesty’s provinces. 
The British Government would assuredly and rightfully complain if an agreement 
between her [sic] Representative and the Representative of the United States should, 
without notice, be broken off by the United States, on the ground that the State of 
California was not willing that it should be completed. California has a Governor 
chosen independently of the Executive power of the National Government. Canada 
has a Governor appointed by the British Crown. The Legislature of Californiaenacts 
laws with which the Executive power of the United States has no right whatever 
to interfere; Canada enacts laws with which the Executive power of Great Britain 
can interfere so far as absolutely to annul. Can the Government of the United 
States be expected to accept as final a decision of the Government of Great Britain 
that an agreement with the United States cannot be fulfilled because the Province 
of Canada objects! 
This review of the circumstances which led to the present troubles on the Behring’s 
Sea question has been presented by direction of the President, in order to show that 
the responsibility does not rest with this Government. The change of policy made 
by Her Majesty’s Government without notice, and against the wish of this Govern- 
nent, is, in the President’s belief, the cause of all the differences that have followed. 
Tam further instructed by the President to say, that while your proposals of the 
30th April cannot be accepted, the United States will continue the negotiation in 
hope of reaching an agreement that may conduce to a good understanding, and leave 
no cause for future dispute. In the President’s opinion, owing to delays for which 
this Government is not responsible, it is too late to conclude such negotiation 
in time to apply its result the present season. He, therefore, proposes that Her 
Majesty’s Government agree not to permit the vessels (which, in his judgment, do 
injury to the property of the United States) to enter the Behring’s Sea for this sea- 
son, in order that time may be secured for negotiation that shall not be disturbed 
by untoward events, or unduly influenced by popular agitation. If this offer be 
accepted, the President believes that before another season shall open the friendly 
relations existing between the two countries, and the mutual desire to continue them, 
will lead to Treaty stipulations which shall be permanent, because just and honour- 
able to all parties. 
I have, &e. (Signed) JAMES G. BLAINE. 
No. 354. 
Sir J. Pauncefote to the Marquis of Salisbury.—(Reccived June 11.) 
{ Telegraphic. | 
WASHINGTON, June 10, 1890. 
As reported in my telegram of the 7th instant, my interview with 
Mr. Blaine arranged for that day was postponed, and, not having received 
any further communication from him, I called at his house yesterday. 
BS ety. 34 
