Sir Julian Pauncefote to Mr. Blaine.
Washington, December 11, 1891.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that I telegraphed to the Marquis of Salisbury the substance of your note of yesterday respecting the sixth article of the proposed Behring Sea arbitration agreement, and that I have received a reply from his lordship to the following effect: In view of the strong opinion of the President, reiterated in your note of yesterday, that the danger apprehended by Lord Salisbury, and explained in my note of the 8th instant, is too remote to justify the delay which might be incurred by guarding against it now, his lordship will yield to the President’s appeal and not press for further discussion at this stage.
Her Majesty’s Government, of course, retain the right of raising the point when the question of framing the regulations comes before the arbitrators, and it is understood that the latter will have full discretion in the matter and may attach such conditions to the regulations as they may a priori judge to be necessary and just to the two powers, in view of the difficulty pointed out.
With the above observations, Lord Salisbury has authorized me to sign the text of the seven articles and of the joint-commission article referred to in my note of the 23d ultimo, and it will give me much pleasure to wait upon you at the State Department for that purpose at any time you may appoint.
I have, etc.,