APPENDIX TO CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 909 
2. A still stronger ground against their taking part is that they cannot afford it. 
From France or Germany to Behring’s Sea by the sailing lines is nearly 20,000 miles, 
and they would have to make the voyage with aI: wger ship than can be profitably 
employed in sealing. They would have to start from home the winter preceding 
the sealing season and risk an unusually hazardous voyage. When they reach the 
fishing grounds they have no territory to which they could resort for any purpose. 
3. If we wait until we get France to agree that her ships shall be searched by 
American or British eruizers we will wait until the last seal is taken in Behring’s Sea. 
Thus much for France and Germany. Other European countries have the same 
disabilities. Russia, cited by Lord Salisbury as likely to embarrass the United 
States and England by interference, I should regard as an ally, and not an enemy. 
Nor is it probable that any American country will loan its flag to vessels engaged in 
violating the Behring’s Sea Regulations. 
To stop the arbitration a whole month on a question of this character promises ill 
for its success. Some other less important question even than this, if it can be 
found, may probably be started. The effect can only be to exhaust the time allotted 
for arbitration. Wemust act mutually on what is probable, not on what is remotely 
possible. 
The President suggests again that the proper mode of proceeding is for Regula- 
tions to be agreed upon between the United States and Great Britain, and then sub- 
mitted to the principal Maritime Powers. That is an intelligent and intelligible 
process. To stop now to consider the Regulations for outside nations is to indefi- 
nitely postpone the whole question. The President, therefore, adheres to his ground 
first announced, that we must have the arbitration as already agreed. He suggests 
to Lord Salisbury that any other process might make the arbitration impracticab!e 
within the time specified. 
Ihave, &c. 
(Signed) JAMES G. BLAINE. 
No. 189. 
Sir J. Pauncefote to the Marquis of Salisbury.—( Received December 19.) 
[Extract. ] 
WASHINGTON, December 10, 1891. 
I have the honour to inform your Lordship that, in alluding to the 
Behring’s Sea question, the President’s Message states that he 
132 ~=is glad to be able to announce that terms of arbitration satis- 
factory to the United States Government have been arrived at, 
and that an agreement as to the Arbitrators is all that is necessary to 
the completion of the Convention. He also adds that, ‘in view of the 
advanced position which this Government has taken upon the subject 
of international arbitration, this renewed expression of our adherence 
to this method for the settlement of disputes such as have arisen in the 
Behring’s Sea will, I doubt not, meet with the concurrence of Congress.” 
No. 190. 
Sir J. Pauncefote to the Marquis of Salisbury.—( Received December 19.) 
WASHINGTON, December 11, 1891. 
My Lorp: With reference to your Lordship’s telegram of to-day, I 
have the honour to inclose copy of a note which I have addressed to Mr. 
Blaine in the sense of the second part of your Lordship’s telegram of 
the 7th instant, offering to sign the Behring’s Sea Arbitr ation Agree- 
ment and Joint Commission Article on the “understanding mentioned 
in that telegram. 
I have, &e. (Signed) JULIAN PAUNCEFOTE 
