The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-06-02
THE BEHRING SEA FISHERIES.
Correspondence Between Great Britain and
The United States,
WHEREIN THE Two COUNTRIES DIFFERED
Provisions of the BiH introduced in thu
House Of Commons-The Matter of
suspending Fishing.

corresDondence between Great Britain and
the United States on the Behring sea fishing
question, published in London this morning
and briefly outlined in the cable dispatch
from London to-day. The correspondence.
which is voluminous. embraces several letters
that have passed between Secretary Blaine
Acting Secretary -of-State Adee and Sir Julian
Pauncefote, the British Minister here during
the past month.
1t shows that in the latter part Of last April
LORD Salisbury was ready 10 agree TO the
closed sea proposition and that early last
month Secretary Blaine urged Lord Salisbury
to concede to the North American Sealing
Company the right 10 take asufiicient numDer
OF seals TO recompense them for their OUTLAY
IN taking care of several hundred natives III
their employment Secretary Blalne's propo-
sition is stated in these words:
The Government OF the United States limits
the number Of seals 10 be killed on the islands
10 seven thousand five hundred
The Government of the United States guar
antees that no seals shall be killed in the open
waters Of Behring sea by any person on any
vessel sailing under the American flag, or 10y
any American citizen sailing under any other
flag.
NO SEALS SHALL BE KILLED.
The Government of Great Britain guarantees
that no seals shall be killed in the open waters
OF Behrlng sea by any person on any vessel
sailing under the British flag, and that no
British subject shall engage in killing seals
for the time agreed upon on any vessel sail
ing under any other flag.
These prohibitions shall continue until the
1st day of May, 1892, within which time the
arbitrators shall render final award or awards
70 both Governments.
These several propositions are submitted for
the consideration of Lord Salisbury. The
President believes that they are calculated to
produce a result at once.fair and honorable TO
both governments, and thus lead TO the per
manent adjustment of a controversy which
has already been left too long at issue
To this proposition the British Government
demurTed on the grounds that it was detract-
ing from the original proposition that no seals
should be killed at all, but seem finally TO
have assented 10 IL, rs indicatedby Sir Jullan's
last note. which closes the correspondence,
and by the pending ball in Parliament. This
legislation is all that is needed now to settle
the matter of a closed sea and lay the fOunda-
ton for arbitration on the material question
of American rights III Alaska waters.
ELGLAND's LATEST NOTE.
Sir Julian Pauncefote's latest note to the
Acting Secretary of State reads as follows:
BRITISH LOCATION,
"WAsHINGroN, May q, 1891.
"Sir-I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt Of your note of yesterdays date. and
10 inform you that have communicated the
substance of its contents to the Marquis of
Salisbury by telegram.
II feel assuredthat bis Tiordship wiz greatly
regret any inconvenience which may be caused
TO your Government by the impracticabillty
of returning an immediate reply TO the pro
posal contained in MIR. Blaine's note 10 me Of
the 4th instant
Lord Salisbury. as had the, honor TO state
IL
but the lateness Of the proposal and condl-
tions attached to it have given rise to grave
diff culties. as TO which his lordship has ne
cessarily been in communication with the
Canadian Government. His reply, however,
may arrive at any moment
II have the honor 20 be with the highest
consideration, sir. your most obedlent humble
servant, JULIAN PAUNCEFoTE."
THE CORRESPONDENCE.
LONDON. June The recent correspondence
on the Behring Sea fishery question IS pub
lished.
On April II, Sir Julian Pauncefote received
acablegram from Lord Salisbury expressing
approval of Secretary Blaine's suggestion for
cessation of seal-catching, pending the award
of the proposed board of arbitration. In sub
sequent dispatches, referring to the modus
vivendi Sir Julian informed Lord Salisbury
that Secretary Blaine preferred that the pro
posal for a close season should come from
Great Britain
In dispatch of May 4th Secretary Blaine's
proposals are detailed. On May 10th Sir Julian
Pauncefote informs Lord Salisbury that the
President is anxious for a reply, and on May
25th he says the President is much concerned,
but cannot detain the cruisers
May 2sth Lord Salisbury informs Minister
Pauncefote of the bill introduced in Parlia-
ment to authorize the prevention of seal kill
ing by British subjects, and declares that the
government can take no further action until
the bill is passed.