804 APPENDIX TO CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 
proper effort to adjust the remaining points of difference in the general correspond- 
ence relating to arbitration, and to agree upon the definite terms of a submission, 
and of the appointment of a Joint Commission without unnecessary delay. 
He is glad that an agreement has finally been reached for the pending season, and 
I beg to say that, if you will call at the Departinent at 10 o’clock on Monday next, 
I will be glad to put into writing and give formal attestation to the modus vivendi 
which has been agreed upon. 
I have, &c. Z 
(Signed) W. F. Wiarton. 
No. 64. 
Sir J. Pauncefote to the Marquis of Salisbury.—( Received June 25.) 
W ASHINGTON, June 16, 1891. 
My Lorp: I have the honour to transmit herewith copy of the A gree- 
ment for the modus vivendi in Behring’s Sea, which I signed yesterday 
in accordance with the instructions contained in your Lordship’s tele- 
gram of the 14th instant. 
I will torward the original Agreement by next mail. 
I have, We. 
(Signed) JULIAN PAUNCEFOTE. 
[Inclosure in No. 64.] 
Agreement between the Government of Her Britannic Majesty and the Government of the 
United States for a Modus Vivendi in relation to the Fur-seal Fisheries in Behring’s 
Sea. 
For the purpose of avoiding irritating differences, and with a view to promote the 
friendly settlement of the questions pending between the two Governments touch- 
ing their respective rights in Behring’s Sea, and for the preservation of the seal 
species. the following Agreement is made without prejudice to the rights or claims 
of either party: ‘ 
1. Her Majesty’s Government will prohibit, until May next, seal-killing in that 
partof Behring’s Sea lying eastward of the line of demarcation described in Article 
I of the Treaty of 1867 between the United States and Russia, and will promptly 
use its best efforts to insure the observance of this prohibition by British subjects 
and vessels. 
2. The United States Government will prohibit seal-killing for the same period in 
the same part of Behring’s Sea, and on the shores and islands thereof the property 
of the United States (in excess of 7,500 to be taken on the islands for the subsist- 
ence and care of the natives), and will promptly use its best efforts to insure the 
observance of this prohibition by United States citizens and vessels. 
3. Every vessel or person offending against this prohibition in the said waters of 
Behring’s Sea outside of the ordinary territorial limits of the United States may be 
seized and detained by the naval or other duly commissioned officers of either of the 
High Contracting Parties, but they shall be handed over as soon as practicable to 
the authorities of the nation to which they respectively belong, who-shall alone have 
jurisdiction to try the offence and impose the penalties for the same. The witnesses 
and proofs necessary to establish the offence shall also be sent with them. 
4. In order to facilitate such proper inquiries as Her Majesty’s Government may 
desire to make, with a view to the presentation of the Case of that Government 
before Arbitrators, and in expectation that an Agreement for arbitration may be 
arrived at, it is agreed that suitable persons designated by Great Britain will be per- 
mitted at any time, upon application, to visit or to remain upon the seal islands 
during the present sealing season for that purpose. 
40 Signed and sealed in duplicate at Washington, this 15th day of June, 1891, on 
behalf of their respective Governments, by Sir Julian Pauncefote, G.C.M.G., 
K. C. B., Her Britannic Majesty’s Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary, 
and William #. Wharton, Acting Secretary of State of the United States. 
(Signed) JULIAN PAUNCEFOTE. 
WILLIAM F. WHARTON. 
