Mr. Wharton to Sir Julian Pauncefote.
Washington, October 12, 1891.
My Dear Sir Julian: On July 23 last I wrote you a note presenting a proposal for the settlement of claims for damages which was to form a part of the proposed agreement of arbitration of certain matters affecting the seal fisheries in Behring Sea. On August 22 I wrote requesting you to be kind enough to inform me when an answer to my note might be expected. On August 24 you wrote me acknowledging [Page 594] the receipt of mine of August 22, and expressing the hope that you would be in a position to reply to my note of July 23 in the course of the next few days. More than ten weeks have elapsed since sending you my note of July 23, and no answer to it has yet been received. The President is very desirous to have a conclusion reached in the negotiations concerning the Behring Sea matters, and has requested me to draw your attention again to the importance of an early reply to his latest proposal. The period fixed by the agreement for a modus vivendi expires May 2 next. The time within which it is hoped to obtain a final settlement of the questions in dispute between the two Governments is fast going by, and the President feels that, if any effective action is to be had in the matter before the next fishing season opens, all the terms of agreement of arbitration should be disposed of immediately.
Very truly yours,