Lord Gough to Mr. Olney.
Newport, R. I., August 6, 1895.
Sir: With reference to Mr. Uhl’s note, No. 121, of June 8, and to previous correspondence concerning the scope of the arrangements entered into between Her Majesty’s Government and the Government of the United States with regard to seal hunting in the award area, I am instructed by the Marquis of Salisbury to inform you that the arrangement of 1894 on the subject of the sealing up of arms and other implements on board sealing vessels was altogether outside the purview of the order in council of that year.
Under that arrangement no action was contemplated except on the application of the master of the sealing vessel. Consequently no executive measure was required in respect of it and, so far as Her Majesty’s cruisers were concerned, any action taken was under the instructions issued by the board of admiralty.
In the opinion of her Majesty’s Government, the inference drawn by Mr. Uhl from the identity of the order in council of this year with that of 1894 can not in the circumstances be sustained.
I have, etc.,