Mr. Blaine to Sir Julian Pauncefote.
Washington, April 14, 1892.
Sir: The President is surprised as well as chagrined by the delay of Lord Salisbury in his reply sustaining or surrendering the points of criticism which his lordship made on the modus vivendi. While it is impossible to believe that Lord Salisbury could make this long delay for the purpose of allowing British sealers to get into the Behring Sea, yet such is the direct effect of it. The criticisms are afterthoughts of no special value and were made after we had the right to consider the whole text of the convention mutually and fully established. Lord Salisbury made an objection to the preamble, which had not been mutually agreed to, and the President at once effectually conceded it.
When Lord Salisbury’s objections to the text of the modus vivendi were presented, the President made all of his comments within an hour [Page 632] and a half, and you were enabled to telegraph the result to Lord Salisbury the same morning. In contrast with this promptness Lord Salisbury has had the modus in his possession for four days without answer. He would be as much justified in keeping it forty days as four. If any serious results follow these delays, the responsibility can not be charged to the United States.
I have, etc.,