922 APPENDIX TO CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 
No. 216. 
The Marquis of Salisbury to Sir J. Pauncefote. 
[Telegraphic.] 
FOREIGN OFFICE, February 18, 1892. 
Her Majesty’s Government have had under their consideration Mr. 
Blaine’s proposal, reported in your telegram of yesterday, that the 
Joint Commission should examine and report on the question of arrang- 
ing a fresh modus vivendi during the next seal-fishing season in Beh- 
ring’s Sea. 
They have no objection to its being considered by the Commission 
whether, in case the decision of the Arbitrators is not obtained before 
June on the points to be submitted to them, any modus vivendi will be 
necessary, and, in that case, what should be its provisions. 
Her Majesty’s Government must, however, reserve absolutely their 
right of action in respect to any recommendations that may be made 
by the Commissioners. 
In the present state of Parliamentary business, it seems unlikely that 
it would be possible to obtain any fresh powers from Parliament. 
143 “The Seal Fishery (Behring’s Sea) Act, 1891,” is still in force, 
but it only gives power to prohibit sealing in Behring’s Sea by 
Order in Council within limits and for a period to be specified in the 
Order itself. 
You should communicate to the Canadian Government the substance 
of your telegram of the 17th instant, and of my reply. 
No. 217. 
The Marquis of Salisbury to Sir J. Pauncefote. 
[Telegraphic.] 
FOREIGN OFFICE, February 20, 1892. 
Her Majesty’s Government have had under their consideration the 
draft of a Convention, forwarded with your despatch of the 4th instant, 
for arbitration on the question of the seal fisheries in Behring’s Sea. 
They are prepared to accept it, subject to certain amendments which 
I have telegraphed to you. 
No. 218. 
The Behring’s Sea Commissioners to the Marquis of Salisbury.—( Received 
February 25.) 
ARLINGTON HOTEL, Washington, February 12, 1892. 
My Lorp: In continuation of our despatch of the 1st instant, we 
have the honour to report that after informing the Secretary of State 
of our readiness to commence work on the Joint Commission on the 1st 
February we received no further intimation as to our conferences until 
Sir Julian Pauncefote communicated to us the information that in let- 
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