Sir Julian Pauncefote to Mr. Blaine.
Washington, February 19, 1892. (Received February 20.)
sir: On the occasion of our interview on the 2d instant, when you handed me the draft of the Behring Sea arbitration convention, which I forwarded to London for the consideration of Her Majesty’s Government, you asked me whether they were prepared to agree to a modus vivendi for the next fishery season in Behring Sea. In transmitting the draft of the arbitration convention to the Marquis of Salisbury, I did not fail to inform him of your inquiry, and I have now received a reply from his lordship to the effect that Her Majesty’s Government can not express any opinion on the subject until they know what modus vivendi you desire to propose.
I have, etc.,