No. 33.
Sir L. S.
Sackville West to Mr. Bayard.
Sir: With reference to the proposal that concerted action be taken by Great Britain, the United States, and other interested powers, in order to preserve from extermination the fur seals which at certain seasons are found in Behring Sea, I am requested by the Marquis of Salisbury to inform you that the Russian ambassador in London has been communicated with on the subject, and that he has referred to his Government for instructions. But in making this communication to you I am instructed to state that this action on the part of Her Majesty’s Government must not be taken as an admission of the rights of jurisdiction in Behring Sea exercised there by the United States authorities during the fishing seasons of 1886–’87 and 1887–’88, nor as affecting the claims which Her Majesty’s Government will have to present on account of the wrongful seizures which have taken place of British vessels engaged in the seal-fishing industry.
I have, etc.,