Sir Julian Pauncefote to Mr. Wharton.
Newport, R. I., August 8, 1891.
Sir: On the 23d of June last I had the honor to place in your hands a memorandum embodying the substance of the instructions issued to British cruisers in Behring Sea in pursuance of the modus vivendi signed on the 15th of that month. The memorandum also contained a proposal for an agreement between the Governments of Great Britain and of the United States for mutual indemnities in respect of acts committed by the cruisers of one nation against the vessels of the other in execution of the modus vivendi.
To that proposal I have not as yet been favored with a reply, and I should be extremely obliged if you would be good enough to inform me at your earliest convenience of the views of your Government with respect to the suggested agreement.
I have, etc.,