New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-07-25
The Strait OF Cans0.

every year by several thousand American
fishing vessels going for their prey to the
Gulf of St. Lawrence and other waters IN
that vicinity. But for this strait these yes
sells would be compelled to 90 around the
island of Cape Breton where the navigation
is difficult and dangerous.
We have before US i report made by Nh.
w. A. HESeY. Chairman of Committee
appointed at the last session of the Nova
Scotian Legislature to consider the right Of
foreign vessels to navigate this Strait and
the authority of the Provincial Government
over it. The report is drawn up with con-
ciseness and ability, and after considering
the whole question, concludes that by every
legal principle, the control of the Strait IS
with the Government. and that no foreign
ships have a right to traverse it except that
right has been conferred by treaty. In the
case of American fishing vessels the only
treaty relating to them. that of 1918, ex-
pressly provides that they shall not fish
within three marine miles of the coast, bays
or harbors of the Province while as to the
Strait there is no special stipulation.
1t is true that it is the most convenient
way to the Gulf of ST Lawrence, but it is
also true that it leads into st. Georges
Bay, and that American fishermen have
stopped there to fish, contrary to the treaty,
and have done great damage to the provln-
cial fisheries. Accordingly it is recommend
ed to levy tax upon them or else to prohi-
bit them from passing the Strait atall. The
report was presented just before the ad-
iournment of the Legislature, and was laid
over to be acted on at the next session.
4 high tax or a prohibition of this kind
would beyond doubt, be serious blow to
our fishermen. The Gulf of St Lawrence
is, we believe, the best fishing ground they
have, but unless they can reach 1t by this
way ii is possible they will have to abandon
it altogether. To 90 around the island IS
said to be almost out of the question.
If we interpret Alright the purpose Of the
proposed shutting up of the Strait 1t Is
by no means what it appears to be-,
namely. the injury or annlhllatlon OF
our fisheries The people of the Pro-
vince are not opposed to our enjoying
all the privileges guaranteed by the treaty,
and the passage of the Strait into the
bargain. What they want is a considera-
ton for it. That consideration is the much
talked-of reciprocity Of trade. They wish
to bargain off the free navigation of the
Strait for the free admission of their pro-
ducts into this country. The game is a
shrewd one, and none the less so because
it is not openly ayowed.
We have heretofore stated the arguments
which bear upon this reciprocity question.
The difficulty is, that our friends beyond the
line do not offer genuine reciprocity. They
do not propose to us that sort of arrange
ment which exists between the different
States of the Union, which is the best APP
Proclamation to Free Trade yet seen. They
want us to take all their products, but are
not willing to take all ours. What they de-
sire to sell us they would like to have US adj
nit free of duty but what we want to sell
them they still propose to levy duty on.
If they would take our manufactures free,
there might be justice in our taking their
lumber and corn free, but otherwise there is
no reciprocity
Besides, we object to this kind of special,
entangling arrangements. Let the provinc-
es come under our federal constitution, and
they Will thereby secure all the reclproc-
ity they desire. That is altogether better
way of getting it than by the sort of swap
they contemplate.
Canada offers in exchange for reclproci
", the navigation of the river st. Lawrence,
and threatens to shut us out of the Welland
Canal if We decline her offer and Nova
Scotia menaces US with exclusion from the
Strait Of Canso As to the former the offer
and the threat seem alike inadequate to
bring our people and Government TO the
mark desired and as to the latter, 1t remains
to be seen whether the convenience OF our
fishing vessels viii be 4 sufficient reason
for changing our system of national policy
In any case our friends in the Provinces
NAV be assured that Jonathan is exceeding
" hard to drive. Nor need they be sur
pri>ed if their allurements find him inacces-
sible, and their crowding very stubborn
British Bishops.
An oVerhaulino of the way the Bishops