The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-11-16 00:00:00

Ely (stoarbriby 065ener.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 187 S,

GREAT BRITAIN AND THE UNITED
STATES.

The return of Lord Dufferin from his six
years of service as Governor-General of Canada,
and the appointment of the Queen's son-in-law
as his successor, have once more attracted pub-
lic attention to oar great possessions in the
western world. It will be remembered that
Lord Dnfferin took office at a time when the
relations between Great Britain and the United
States were in a very strained condition. It
was in the spring of 1872, and for ten whole
years there had been a correspondence between
the two countries respecting the liability of
England to pay compensation for the depreda-
tions of the Alabama and her sister corsairs.
The Alabama, which had been built at Birken-
head, left these shores in August, 1862, and
her destructive career was brought to a close
by the United States war steamer Kearsage, off
Cherbourg, in June, 1864. During the interval
she had destroyed large numbers of American
merchant ships, and had inflicted incalculable
injury upon the commercial marine of the
United States. The Government at Washing-
ton demanded damages from the people of this
country, and aftar ten years of controversy the
question was referred to a Court of Interna-
tional Arbitration, which met at Geneva in the
summer of 1872, and adjudged England to pay
three and a quarter millions sterling. Lord
Dufferin's appointment as Governor General of
Canada came into operation just about that
time, and with the payment of the award, the
long standing bitterness between the two
countries gradually passed away. It is, there-
fore somewhat remarkable that no sooner had
Lord Dufferin's successor been named, than
another difficulty arises between the two great
EnElish speaking nations.
This time, however, it is not a question of
the doings of pirate ships, or the destruction of
peaceful merchant men upon the high seas; it
is the breach of a Fishery Convention whereby
in consideration of certain privileges accorded
the Canadians, the United States fishermen
were allowed to cast their nets in British waters.
Now, the Monroe doctrine, that is, a dictum
laid down some time ago by Mr. Monroe, when
President of the United States, was that none
but Americans ought to possess any part of
that vast continent at all, and that Great
Britain on the one hand, and Mexico and the
rest of the South American republics on the
other, were so many intruders who ought to be
got rid of. Still, there are obstacles in the way
of putting this into practice, for neither Canada
nor Mexico was to be annexed without a
straggle ; and therefore the most philosophical
course to take was to make the best of things as
they stood, and to secure all the advantages
which were possible by way of amicable arrange-
ments. With this view the Fishery Conven-
tion was made, and the Americans complain
that on our side it has been broken. It is
alleged that on Sunday the 6th of January
last. the crews of certain American schooneas
were molested in the exercise of their lawful
fishery rights in Fountain Bay by the New-
foundland fishermen, who seized and tore away
the nets which they had !attached to the Newi
foundland shore. The Newfoundland fishermen
admit the seizure of the American nets, but
they justify their action under a local law
whereby fishing on Sunday is prohibited. To
this the American Government reply that the
terms of the Treaty of Washington, executed in
March, 1871, cannot be altered to their dis-
advantage by any local laws passed by the
authorities of an English cology, and they con-
tend that any attempt to enforce such laws is a
simple act of wrong and violation of the Treaty.
The American press goes on to urge that by
this infraction of their rights they are entitled
to reopen the whole Fishery question, including
the amount of the award made to Great Britain
under the Halifax arbitration, and their own
obligation to pay the sum awarded. It is
asserted that they have a right to withhold pay-
ment of the award until this new dispute has
been decided.
There are, undoubtedly, some parts of the
American contention the justice of which the
people of this country will be inclined to admit
The only parties to the Fishery Treaty were the
Governments of Great Britain and the United
States. Defined privileges were accorded by
the former to the citizens, and the latter upon
payment of a specified sum ; and the Washing-
ton Goverment has an undoubted right to in-
sist that no act of a third party shall be per-
mitted to derogate from the privileges thus
accorded. Nothing was said in the treaty about
the power of the Newfoundland Legislature to
subsequently impose restrictions upen the times
and seasons of fishing. The Americans there-
fore contend that if the Sunday prohibition is
to be set up against them, it will deprive them
of one-seventh part of those advantages for
which agreed by rreaty to contribute whatever
sum they might be called upon to pay in virtue
of the Halifax award. At the same time, what-
ever view.we may be disposed to take of the
merits of the dispute, it will probably be agreed
that the question raised could hardly have been
mooted at a more inopportune time. An
Eastern difficulty which threatens once again to
pass into an acute phase, and a quarrel on our
Indian frontier which is daily expected to result
in war, would have been quite enough to engage
our whole attention ; but to have a Western
difficulty thrown on our hands at the same
moment may be regarded as an unfortunate
coincidence, the more especially as it occurs at
a time when the new Governor General of
Canada, with the Queen's daughter as his wife,
is going out to take charge of our interests in
the Canadian Dominion. In what manner this
international dispute is to be settled, it would at
present be hard to say. If Great Britain ad-
heres to the declaration that the Halifax Award
must be paid first, and the new difficulty settled
afterwards, and America shouln prove equally
resolute in maintaining that the settlement of
the new difficulty must precede the payment of
the award, a way out of it does not just now
seem easy or iracticable. No point of honour
is involved, and each eountry might stick to
its position as lung as it pleased. Such an out
look is not satisfactory as illustrating the advan-
tiges of :rt,erna ional arbit ettion. The Thai' el
States Government refuses to pay the Halifax
awarded unless a matter is first adjusted which
Cr cat Britain declines to ent2rtain until the
money is paid, and there is no superior authority
to insist upon what shall be done. Yet two
alien nations ought to be able to find a way out
of the difficulty which should satisfy the elaiins
of tleo ie without inflicting losa of prestige,
mai% or dignity upon the other.

-

SKATING RlNK.—This popular place of resort
was well attended on Monday, Tuesday, and Wed-
nesday. Since the weather has set in colder large
numbers of ladies and gentlemen have attended
the above place of amusement, The Rink has
been opened twelve months, and during that time
the instructors employed by Mr. Hainge have .
brought a great many good skaters to the froßt.
The energetic proprietor has decided to give
four prizes to be contested for on luesday even-
ing next when no doubt there will be a 'crowded
house. The particulars of the events will be seen
in our advertising columns.
Re HERBERT SHAW.—On Thursday morning last
the first meeting of the creditors of Herbert Shaw,
boot manufacturer, of Cradley Heath, was held at •
the offices of Mr. Addison, High Street, Brierley
Hill. Mr. Addison represented the debtor; Mr.
Rennie, of Birmingham, and Mr. Growcntt, Wol-
laston representing creditors. A statement of the
debtor's affairs was presented, and it was resolved
to liquidate by arrangement and not in bank-
ruptcy. Mr. James Whitehouse, of Dudley, was
appointed trustee, and Mr. Addison was entrusted
with the registration of special resolutions. •
THE AUSTRALIAN LITTLE MEN.—This company
of negro minstrels gave two entertainments in the
Victoria Hall and Rink on Thursday evening and
last night. We are informed that nearly all the
boys are orphans and that Mr. Gus Montague has
taken charge of the boys to teach them music
and singing. In addition a schoolmaster is
engaged to teach them daily the ordinary lessons
Some of the boys have excellent voices. Masters
Burton and Courtney as bones and tambourine
performed remarkably well for boys so
young. The various choruses were well sus
tamed. The stump oration caused a great
deal of fun. The songs and dance by
Master Frank Millington cams in for a good
share of picwc. Tlxo nower, Outer4o.innek an 4: of
Masters Burton and Courtney caused roars of
laughter. The whole performance was a very
good one. We understand that there will be a
day performance this (Saturday) afternoon, and
that the Blue School boys and the children con-
nected with the Union have been invited to attend.
The weather being unfavourable the attendance
was not so good as could be wished.
"TEE HOUSE SURGEON, OR THE DOCTOR AT
11031E."—Under this title a useful little illustrated
work has been issued by the Accident Insurance
Company (Limited), 7, Bank Buildings, contain-
ing a number of brief practical directions for the
treatment of sufferers from accidents. These
hints, which are from the pen of the late Mr.
Alfred Smee, surgeon to the Bank of England, Sce.,
are intended for the guidance of the patient's
friends until medical assistance be obtained,
and in some cases close attention to them may
even render such assistance unnecessary. The
subjects are just those upon which such brief,
trustworthy directions as are here offered are
needed from time to time, the list including broken
bones, cuts, bruises, fits, apparently drowning, dis-
locations, ailments of the eye, burns and scalds
sunstroke, and a number of other matters of fre-
quent occurrence requiring prompt and well-direc-
ted action.—" City Press."
STOURBRIDGE CONSTITUTIONAL ASSOCIATION.—
The secretary has received the following letter:—
"10, Downing Street, Whitehall, November 12th,
1878.—Sir—I am desired to acknowledge the
receipt of your letter of the Bth inst, and to
express the thanks of the Prime Minister for the
resolution, copy of which you enclosed, adopted
by the members of the Stourbridge Constitutional
Association at their annual meeting held on the
7th inst.—l am Sir, your obedient servant (signed)
Algernon Tumor. Mr. D. Batham,"
CHARGE or VAGRANCY.—George Pagett, a dirty-
looking man was brought Up before Mr. R. L.
Freer, on Tuesday, charged with being in an ou -
house on the morning of the 12th inst. Polio -
' constable Morgan proved that he was on duty at
2.30 and found the defendant in an outhouse at
the back of Mr. Yardley's house, High Street.
Defendant was asleep in a candle box. He woke
him up and asked him what he was doing there
and defendant said "Only having a night's
lodging." He was then locked up. On promising
to leave the town at once defendant was then dis-
charged.
INQUEST.—An inquest was held on Wednesday
last; at the Barley Mow Inn, Wollaston, before It.,
Docker, Esq., coroner. touching the death of a little
boy named Richard Hughes. aged one year and
seven months, and who died on Sunday last. From
the evidence given it ap,,ears that the little boy ran
down the garden on the previous Saturday, and ran
into the cistern of wash, which was left uncovered.
The little fellow was soon got out by his father, but
the child received such a shock to the system, that :
it died the foraying day. Verdict of accidental
death.
Deusx AND INC FABLE.— Nt the Police Court,
Leld yesterday. before Colonel Fl-tcher, Lord Lyttel-
ton, and C. B. Cochrane, William Worall was charged
with being drunk and incapable on the 11 th inst.
Police-constable Ho I ngsworth said that he found the
defendant lying in the street helpless drunk. Pleaded
guilty. Fined 28 6d and costs.— James Heatheock
was charged with being drunk in High Street, on the
11th Police-constable Morgan proved that de-
fendant was drunk in High Street. Police-sear,,eant
Jones corroborated. Fined 2s 6d and costs —John
Tyley was charged with being drunk in High Street,
on the night of the 11th inst. Police-constable Eaves
proved the case. Fined 23 61 and costs. John Tyler
was charged with being drunk at Hay Green, on the
10th inst. Police. ccastable Paynter proved the case.
DRUNK AND DisoßnEritiv.—Joseph Johnson was
charged with being drunk and disorderly, in High
Street, on the night of the 14th inst. Police-
constable Morgan said he saw the defendant in High
Street and he was shouting all up the street. He
B ROAM-F.II:ST V. DAVIS.— JUDX CAS. ....At the refused to go home and he was locked up. Police-
County Coart, on Thursday, before it. IckAtie, sergeant Jones corroborated. The defence was
RA_ This was an action brought
.by Plaintiff '1 that he could not get a night's lodging. Defend-
against the defendant for injuries r01c..-ived by the ant was fined 5s and costs; in default fourteen
&fend:ant striking hint a blow on the head with days' imprisonment.
a stick on the 15th July, inflicting a wound and; 0 ....LIARGE OF CRUELTY TO A HORSE.—James
causing him to play from work a fortnight. Mr. Shepherd was charged with cruelly illtreating
Waldron app.)ared for the plkintiff, and Mr. Horn- horse by working it while in an unfit state, on the
fray for the defendant. From the ovidcnce of corn- g;
t 1..! iust. I !spect.)r Dance proved that he saw the
pladaant it appeared there was a cricket match in de.endant's liorsJ in a. trembling condition. He
froot of defondant's house at Brock-moor. Waile unined it and found a wound under the collar
the m itch was going on the plaintiff was walking largeOS as a crown piece and it was full of matter.
across the boundary and he was requested to come DJfend ant was fined 103 and costs; in default
off the greuad. Defendant struck him on the fourteen days.
head with a stick inflicting a wound one inch I CHARGE OF INFLICTING BODILY HARM.—John
long. Plaintiff worked as a puddler and after he Froeinan was brought up on remand, charged with
had rceeived the blow he worked five turns. He / doing grievous toddy harm to John Beasley, on
then went to the doctor's who advised him not to th,3 7th September. Mr. Addison appeared for the
work for a time. A summons was issued the complainant, and Mr. Waldron for the defence.
report Fame day for an assault but after seeing his The case was tried in October and a full t
solicitor the present action was brought instead, was given. The, Bench at that time intimated
Charles Hi 1, brass founder, residing at Brierley that it as a case for settlement, and Mr. Homer
Hill, said. he was a stranger to boi;h parties. He • who defended at that time said that he would see
saw Davis strike Broadhurst with a stick on the the defendant's master and they would make some
head awl it Nut:ldea hollow. The man's head collpeuBa4QA. Mr. Wtsldrom B&W Ile was quit,