924 APPENDIX TO CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 
seals on em with better supervision than during the modus vivendi of 
last ye Any arrangement of a more extended character would 
Buiive cadepenantin to the sealing-vessels, and for this, of course, Can- 
ada could not be expected to make provision from the funds of the 
Dominion. 
No. 220. 
Sir J. Pauncefote to the Marquis of Salisbury.—( Received February 25.) 
[ Telegraphic. ] 
WASHINGTON, February 25, 1892. 
Behringts Sea modus vivendi. 
With reference to your Lordship’s telegram of the 16th instant, I 
have informed Mr. Blaine that your Lordship could not give an opinion 
until you learned what modus vivendi was proposed. 
Following is the substance of a note which I have received in reply: 
The arbitration cannot possibly be concluded within the period of 
time which was contemplated originally. The delays which have 
occurred have been much more by Great Britain than by the United 
States. 
The President suggests that the modus should be similar in terms to 
that of last year, but that it should be more fully executed. More effi- 
cient measures on the part of Her Majesty’s Government will be prac- 
ticable this year owing to the earlier date. More seals than ever were 
taken last year, the departure of the sealing-vessels having taken place 
previous to the agreement as to the modus vivendi. The prevention of 
sealing in the North Pacific Ocean would be the most effective measure 
for Her Majesty’s Government to adopt. The large number of sealers 
preparing to go forth from British Columbia would have to receive 
notice of this. The number of sealers is reported to be larger than ever, 
and without regulations there will be an immense destruction of females 
heavy with young. 
Mr. Blaine urgently requests me to send the contents of the note to 
your Lordship by telegraph. I have not yet mentioned the question of 
authorizing the Joint Commission to report on the modus vivendi on the 
conditions mentioned in your Lordship’s telegram of the 18th instant. 
No. 221. 
Sir J. Pauncefote to the Marquis of Salisbury.—(Received February 26.), 
[Telegraphic.] 
WASHINGTON, February 26, 1892. 
My telegram of yesterday. 
Mr. Blaine specially desires me to telegraph to your Lordship ver- 
batim the following paragraph contained in his note of the 24th instant 
respecting the modus vivendi: 
Holding an arbitration in regard to the rightful mode of taking seals, while their 
destruction goes forward, would be as if while an arbitration to the title to timber-- 
land were in progress, one party were to cut remove all the trees. 
He attaches much importance to this illustration. 
