692 APPENDIX TO CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 
on; but he was absolutely opposed to the suggestion of sending a Joint 
Commission of Experts to Behring’s Sea, or to putting in force the modus 
_vivendi until the terms of the arbitration had been definitely agreed to. 
I pointed out that if this were to be a condition of the arrangement, 
it would probably be too late to put it in force this season, in view of 
the time which might elapse before the preliminaries of the arbitration 
had been settled, and I reminded him that his proposal was simply that 
it should take effect ‘“‘pending the result of the arbitration.” 
He replied that his proposal, as understood by the President as well 
as himself, was subject to that condition, and he seemed to attach 
importance to it as being calculated to accelerate your Lordship’s 
acceptance of the terms of arbitration proposed by his Government. 
I therefore explained to him that all your Lordship knew at present 
respecting the proposal was-that it had been made by the United States 
Government, obviousiy in their own interest, and that Her Majesty’s 
Government had certainly nothing to gain by acceding to it. I begged 
him to disabuse the mind of the President of the idea that your Lord- 
ship, in giving the proposal afavourable consideration, had been actuated 
by any other sentiment than that of friendliness to the United States 
Government. 
IT added that if owing to delay in the settlement of the terms of arbi- 
tration, the proposed modus vivendi should not be put in force this 
season, and the predictions of the United States Government Agents 
as to the consequences which must ensue from the non-cessation of 
sealing should be verified, the blame would certainly not attach to Her 
Majesty’s Government. 
I have, Xc. 
(Signed) JULIAN PAUNCEFOTE. 
[Inclosure in No. 6.] 
Sir J. Pauncefote to Mr. Blaine. 
WASHINGTON, April 20, 1891. 
Dear Mr. Buarne: I informed Lord Salisbury in a private letter of your alterna- 
tive suggestion for a modus vivendi, pending the result of the Behring’s Sea arbitra- 
tion, namely, to stop all sealing both at sea and on land. 
Lord Salisbury seems to approve of that alternative, and he asks whether, in 
4 case Her Majesty’s Government should accept it, you would prefer that the 
proposal should come from them. 
I thought you would like to know Lord Salisbury’s view of your proposal as soon 
as possible, and that must be my excuse for troubling you with this letter during 
your repose at Virginia Beach. 
May I ask you to be so good as to let me know, as soon as you conveniently can 
do so, what answer you would wish me to return to Lord Salisbury’s inquiry. 
Hoping that you have already benefited by the change of air, I remain, &c. 
Signed JULIAN PAUNCEFQTE. 
oD 
Note 
Sir J. Pauncefote to the Marquis of Salisbury.—( Received May 10.): 
(Telegraphic. } 
WASHINGTON, May 10, 1891. 
A newspaper has just published the text of Professor Elliott’s intro- 
duction to his Report on the condition of seal life on the United States 
seal islands in Behring’s Sea, which he addressed in November last to 
the Secretary of the Treasury. 
