The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1870-12-08


essary to add that whenever Her Males
TVS Government shall entertain a desire
for full and friendly adjustment of
these claims, the United States will enter
upon their consideration with an earnest
desire for conclusion consistent with the
honor and dignity Of both nations
THE CANADIAN FISHERIES
The course pursued by the Canadian
authorities towards the fishermen of the
United States during the past ason has
not been marked by friendly feeling.
Bv the first article of the convention OF
1918 between Great Britain and the
United States it was agreed that the in
habitants Of the United States should
have forever, in common the right of
taking fish in certain waters therein de-
fitted, in the waters not included in the
limits named in the convention. within
three miles Of ports on the British coast.
1t has been the custom for many years t.
give to intruding fishermen of the United
States reasonable warning of the viola
tions of the technical rights of Great
Britain The Imperial Government is
understood to have delegated the whole
or share Of its jurisdiction or control
Of these in-shore fishery grounds to the
colonial authority known as the Domin.
ion Of Canada, and the semi.independent
but irresponsible agent has exercised jts
delegated powers in an unfriendly way.
Vessels have been siez d withS,it notice
or warning, in violation Of the custom
previously prevailing, and have been
taken into colonial ports, their voyages
broken up and the vessels condemned.
There is reason to believe that this TN
friendly and vexatious Treatments was
designed to bear harshly upon the hardy
fishermen of the United States, with the
view to political effect upon the Govern
ment. The statutes Of the Dominion of
Canada assume still broader and more
untenable Jurisdiction over the vessels of
the United States They authorize off
GERS or persons to bring vessels lowering
within three marine miles of any of the
coasts, bays. creeks or harbOrs of Canada
into porj to search the cargo, to examine
the master On oath touching the car
go and voyage, and to inflict upon him q
eavy pecuniary penalty iftrue answers
are not given; and if such A. vessel is
found preparing to fish within
three marine miles of such coasts, bays,
creeks or harbors without license, or
after the expiration of the period named
in the last license granted to it, they pro
vide that the vessel, with her tackle, etc,
ETC.. shall be forfeited. 1t is not known
that any COMBINATIONS have been made
under this statute. Should the authori-
ties of Canada attempt to enforce it, it
will become my duty to take such steps
as may be necessary to protect the rights
of the citizens Of the United States. 1t
has been claimed by her Majesty's officers
that the fishing vessels of the United
States have no right to enter the open
ports Of the British possessions in North
America except for purposes vt shelter
and repairing damages, of purchasing
wood and obtaining water; that they
have no right to enter At the British Gus.
tom houses or trade except for the pur.
chase of wood and water, and that they
m lst depart within twenty four hours az
ter notice to leave. 1t is not known that
any seizures of a fishing vessel carrying
Yhe flag of the United States has been
made under this claim SO far as the
claim is founded on the alleged construc.
ton of the Convention of 1918, it cannot
be acquIesced in by the United States.
1t is hoped that it will not be insisted on
by Her Majestys Government During
the conference which preceded the nego-
tiatIon of the convention of 1918, the
British commissioners proposed to ex-
pressly exclude the fishermen of the |
United States from the privilege of car
rying on trade with any of his Britanic
Majesty's subjects residing within the
limits assigned for their use, and also
that it should not be lawful FIR the yes
sells of the United States engaged in such
fishery to have on board any goods, wares
Or merchandise whatever, except such as
may be necessary for the prosecution of
their voyages to and from said fishing |
grounds; and any vessel of the United |
States which shall contravene this regu-
alton may be seized, condemned and con /
isca ted with her cargo. This PROPOSE
ion, which is identical with The construc-
ion now put upon the language of the
was emphaticalIy refused by
he American Commissioner, and there
lpon was abandoned by the British Plen-
potentaries, and article one, as it stands
u the convention, was substituted i'll
however, it be said that this claim is
ounded upon provincial or colonial sta
;utes, and not upon the convention, this
Government cannot but regard them as
and in contrayention of the
pirit, if not of the letter of the treaty,
or the faithful execution of which the
imperial Government is alone response
lie. Anticipating that an attempt may
possibly be made by the Canadian anthor-
ties, in the coming season, to repeat
heir unneigbborly act towards our fish
rmen, recommend you to confer upon
he executive, the power to suspend, by
the operation of the laws
zir,ca tho ax,ciA c.c.oAo roe {