APPENDIX TO CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 693 
I will transmit a copy to your Lordship by the mail of the 12th instant. 
In this Report Professor Elliott insists strongly on the necessity of 
the cessation of seal killing, both on land and at sea, and on the appoint- 
ment of a Joint Commission of American, British, and Russian experts 
to proceed to the rookeries this summer to verify the precise condition 
of affairs. 
The usual date for the revenue-cruizers and the Company’s steamer to 
sail is the 15th instant, and it is very important that I should, as early 
as practicable, be in a position to reply to Mr. Blaine’s proposal. 
No. 8. 
Sir J. Pauncefote to the Marquis of Salisbury.—( Received May 10.) 
[Telegraphic.] 
WASHINGTON, May 10, 1891. 
I have just received, from a trustworthy authority, the following 
Memorandum on the subject of the reservation in the proposed modus 
vivendi desired by the President, which throws a new light on the pro- 
vision in question. 
It is as follows: 
Food Skins.—The slaughter for food of 5,000 small seals annually on St. Paul 
Island, and 2,000 on St. George Island, will be amply sufficient to keep the natives 
of the seal islands in good condition physically. The profit to the United States 
Governinent from the sale of these food skins would be not less than 70,000 dollars 
a year, which is 20,000 dollars more than it would cost to provide them with fuel, 
clothing, and other necessaries. 
To kill mpre than these 7,000 young male seals would be simply a wanton and 
uncalled-for destruction of life, and would imperil the restoration of the rookeries 
to their former condition. 
The Memorandum quoted above shows that it is necessary for the 
health of the natives to supply them with seals for food. 
No. 9. 
Sir J, Pauncefote to the Marquis of Salisbury.—( Received May 14.) 
WASHINGTON, May 4, 1891. 
My Lorp: Owing to the communications which have passed between 
Mr. Blaine and the North American Commercial Company (the present 
lessees of the seal islands in Behring’s Sea) respecting the proposed 
cessation of the killing of seals both at sea and on land during the 
approaching fishery season, the rumour has found its way in the press 
that such a proposal has either been made by Her Majesty’s Govern- 
ment, or that they are willing to assent to it, and that Mr. Blaine is 
prevented from carrying it out by the vehement opposition of the 
Company. 
5 It may be convenient that I should place on record what took 
place between Mr. Blaine and myself on the subject of his second 
or alternative proposal for a modus vivendi, which I communicated to 
your Lordship privately on the 7th April last. 
