“ In reply to your note of today addressed to me, I have the honor to inform you that the Delegations of the United States and Japan have read and considered it, and that they regard the obstacles therein mentioned as so remote that they have decided to sign the North Pacific Sealing Convention with the understanding that the Governments of the United States, Japan and Russia are at liberty to await the acceptance by Great Britain of the Convention without the particular reservations mentioned in your note before proceeding with ratification. ”

“ Article XII It is agreed on the part of Russia that of the total number of sealskins taken annually upon the Commander Islands, or any other island or shores of the waters defined in Article I subject to the jurisdiction of Russia to which any seal herds hereafter resort, there shall be delivered at the Commander Islands at the end of each season fifteen per cent (15%) gross in number and value thereof to an authorized agent of the Canadian Government, and fifteen per cent (15%) gross in number and value thereof to an authorized agent of the Japanese Government ”

“ Article IV It is further agreed that the provisions of this Convention shall not apply to Indians, Aims, Aleuts, or other aborigines dwelling on the coast of the waters mentioned in Article I, who carry on pelagic sealing in canoes not transported by or used in connection with other vessels, and propelled entirely by oars, paddles, or sails, and manned by not more than five persons each, in the way hitherto practiced and without the use of firearms; provided that such aborgines are not in the employment of other persons or under contract to deliver the skins to any person. ”