836 APPENDIX TO CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 
A Proclamation. 
(Signed)  JNo, 8. D. THompson, 
Attorney-General, Canada. 
Whereas an Agreement for a modus vivendi between our Government and the Goy- 
ernment of the United States in relation to the fur-seal fisheries in Behring’s Sea 
was concluded on the 15th day of June, in the year of our Lord 1891, on the follow- 
ing terms, that is to say: ; 
“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 Beh- 
ring’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 
touching their respective rights in Behring’s Sea, and for the preservation of the 
seal species, the following Avreement is made without prejudice to the rights or 
claims of either party : 
Scaler Majesty’ s Government will prohibit, until May next, seal-killing in that 
part of Behring’s Sea lying eastward of the line of demarcation ‘deseribed in Article 
1 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 subsistence 
and care of the natives), and will promptly use its best efforts to insure the obsery- 
ance of this prohibition by United States citizens and vessels. 
«*3. Every vessel or person offending against this prohibition in the said waters 
of Behrine’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 the 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. 
68 “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 Gov- 
ernment betore 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 permitted at any time, upon application, to visit or to remain upon the seal 
islands during the present sealing season for that purpose. 
“Sioned 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 F. Wharton, Acting Secretary of State of the United States. 
(Signed) “JULIAN PAUNCEIFOTE. [SEAL. ] 
‘WILLIAM F. WHARTON.” [SEAL. ] 
Now know ye, that we have by this our Royal Proclamation caused the said 
Agreement to be made public, to the end that the same and every part thereof may 
be observed and fulfilled with good faith by all our loving subjects. 
Of all which our loving subjects and all others whom these presents may concern 
are hereby required to take notice, and to govern themselves accordingly. 
In testimony whereof we have caused these our Letters to be made Patent. and 
the Great Seal of Canada to be hereunto affixed. Witness, our right trusty and 
well-beloved the Right Honourable Sir Frederick Arthur Stanley, Baron Stanley of 
Preston, in the county of Lancaster, in the Peerage ot the United Kingdom, Knight 
Grand Cross of our Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Governor-General of Canada. 
At our Government House, in our city of Ottawa, this 19th day of June, in the 
year of our Lord 1891, and in the fifty-fourth year of our reign. 
By command, 
(Signed) J, A. CHAPLEAU, Seerctary of State. 
