Sir Julian Pauncefote to Mr. Blaine.
Washington, December 30, 1891.
Dear Mr. Blaine: On the 22d instant I telegraphed, as you desired, to Lord Salisbury your suggestion that the number of arbitrators on the Behring Sea tribunal should be reduced from seven to five by limiting the representation of our respective Governments to one each, in view of the agreement that there should be three foreign arbitrators besides those appointed by Great Britain and the United States.
Last night I received his lordship’s reply, which is to the effect that, looking at the importance and variety of the questions involved and to all the circumstances, Her Majesty’s Government, after mature consideration, are not prepared to consent to being represented on the tribunal by less than two arbitrators. Lord Salisbury hopes, therefore, that you will be ready to proceed in accordance with the arrangement at which we arrived on the 16th ultimo, namely, that the tribunal shall consist of seven arbitrators, of whom our respective Governments shall appoint two each, and the other three shall be appointed by foreign governments to be selected for that purpose. All seven arbitrators to be jurists of repute and the three foreign ones to understand the English language.
I remain, yours, very truly,