The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-03-30
The Fisheries "A Dangerou, Question.

Inc flshefleS "A OonsefOuN QueStOns
From the Times.
The other day telegraphic item informed us
of the fitting out of national vessels TO project
the interests OF American fishermen on the coasts
of British North America. A contemporary emu
merates seven vessels, carrying eighty six guns,
as in course of preparation for service in this
"iying squadron
Now, we have tidings from England, on the
authority of the London Times which indicate
the approaching departure of a war vessel Ito
see that the rights OF the fishery, which revert
to the British Crown, are notinfrlnged upon, and
also to prevent collisions betweea the fishermen
oi the Provinces and those of the United Slates.p
The vessel to be thus specially detailed will be
an addition TO the powerful force already repre-
sening England in those waters.
These preparations on both sides may enable
some who have pooh-poohed the termination OF
reciprocity as a trihing affair, to realize at least
one of the embarrassing and perilous questions
which that event reVives. They show that the
contingencies which we're a continual source of
apprehension up to the period OF the treaty are
about again 10 arise TO lrrltate and perpieX both
countries; and further, that both countries are
adopting measures identical with these which
before the treaty kept the fishing interests of
New England and the Provinces perpetually
under an apprehension OF hostilites.
A reference to the treaty, now defunct, is Of
itself sufficient to prove the Importance with
winch Ine question was regarded DV contract
ing parties The essential provisions of the
treaty were embraced IN four articles, and
OF these two pertain exclusively TO the fish
eries-a circumstance of which the Congress
sional opponents of reciprocity appear to De
profoundly ignorant. Their speeches in the
recent debates proceeded wholly on the as
sumption that the interchange of commo-
dities constituted the beginning and the end
of the arrangement between this country
and the Provinces; overlooking the undoubted
fact, that by reciprocity we secured Tor our
fishermen important concessions, and averted
liability to international complications to
which in past years the records of the State De-
partment have borne ample testimony.
Into the merits of the controversy as to the
intent and meaning of the Convention of 1918,
we are not required to enter. For our present
purpose, it is enough to know that by the con-
struchon which the British Government, in
compliance with the solicitation of the mariJIme
provinces, finally undertook to enforce results
were produced which MIR. Webster, as Secretary
OF State, in 1862, thus succnctly stated:-"The
loss OF the valuable fall fishing to American
fishermen; complete interruption of the exten-
slve fishing business of New England, attended
by constant collisions of the most unpleasant
and exciting character" entailing "the involve
ment OF the Government in questions of a very
serious nature, threatening the peace Of the two
countries" The report OF Mr.. Lorenzo Sabine,
presented to Congress in 1853, circumstantially
exhibits the details of the diticdltIes which Mr..
Webster had anticipated. Referring TO the sea-
son Of 1852 and the effect OF the restriction en-
forced by British vessels-otwar, Mr. Sabine
wrote:-The results to our countrymen were dis
astrous to degree never before known in time
OF peace. The presence OF her Maiesty's cruisers
in the waters IN dispute between the two Govern
ments nearly ruined some and injured all who
adventured thither, and was the occasion of
dependency and suffering at many iresides in
Massachusetts and elsewhere in New England"
remark with which Mr.. Sabine accompanies
this recital OF facts possesses particular signif-
canoe at this moment. 'There can be no change
for the BETTER" are his words, "whiie the con-
troversy as to the intent and meaning of the
Convention OF 1918 snail continue"
The controversy was however, superseded,
and its attendant peril turned aside, by the Re-
ciprocity Treaty, under the operation of which
our fishermen have for ten years piled their
vocation, peacefully and proftably, in Provin-
cial waters.
The abrogation of the treaty, and the refusal
OF Congress to sanction a new arrangement
with the Provinces bring back the controversy
which, as MIR. Sabine has shown, was disastrous
to New England interests, and lay the founda-
ton of fresh issues, involving what Mr.. Webster
described as Questions of very serious nature,
threatening the peace of the two countries" !"
Mr.; Derby, in his report to Mr.. Secretary Nc
Culloch, affirms that 1--WE must either risk
our mackeral fishery, treat, or annex the
Provinces" With reciprocity we have lost
our mackeral fishery, and there will be hard
| ship and suffering in the coming season
among a class never addicted to oVer-much
| patience, and not likely now to submit quietly
! to the authority OF British yessels-ofwar. Are
the wise men OF Congress prepared for the emer-
| gency! Are they willing TO entail disaster upon
! the fishermen and danger upon the country to
| satisfy the demands of the coal and iron mono
| polists of Pennsylvania? Or will they treat
| for new commercial arrangement, which shall
at once benefit the revenue, prevent injury to
our trade, secure to our fishermen continuance
| of valuable privileges, and dsspate the speck o
war now rising out of northern waters
There is yet time for negotiation, pending the
completion OF which all necessary points may b6
provided ior by temporary legislation.
Meanwhile we have right to ask that oul
British cousins shall abstain from pushing pre-
tensions in the Justice of which this country
has never acquiesced. We believe that the
more intelligent section of Congress is ready tc
enter upon the whole question, with the view o
reaching results that shall be mutually advan
tageous. The feeling in the Treasury Depart
ment is known to be in favor of this course, anG
1t will assuredly gam ground whenever the
varied bearings of the question shall be dis
cussed. 1t is essential, however, that there. bt
nothing like menace on the other side. We are
for negotiation and legislation on a liberal
friendly basis, the feasibility of which depends
upon the avoidance of all causes of iIfftatioI
and all ground of quarrel
| Tnh 60 A n,,t Al