New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-11-26
JOHN BULL TAKING UP on THE FISHERi
QUESTION:
He THINKS GEN. BUTLER CARES NOTHING FOR
COD, But ONLY WANTS TO MAKE TROUBLE
TIE COUNTRY sQUIREs' VIEW OF INTEENA-
TIONAI JUSTICE.
Prom The London EconOms, OF Nov. II.


TIE COUNTRY SQUlREs VIEW OF INTEENA-
TiONAL JUSTICE.
Prom The London Economist Of Nov. Il.
If the American correspondent of The Times
has anayzed Gen Buffers recent speech to his MasSa-
clusetts constituents with any approach to fairness
and his analysis seems fair enOugh-a more wicked
speech was never uttered in political assembly
deliberate attempt obtain popularity by rsking war
on totally inadequate ground The fishery" question.
Whenever il arises between nations il as dangerous a.
the poachng question is between classes and for pre-
csely the same reason-namely, that the mass of man
Kind never fairly realize that sea-h wild game are
property at all. Nobody feeds them; nobody owns
there is supposed to be end of thcm-thOugh
that il dangerous delusiOnand everybody thinks II he
takes trouble get them he has right to have them
As in the poaching dispute also the popular feeling
about sea fish comes right athwart a very
strict law. The fish caught within the threc-me limit
belong 10 the nation which owns the coast, and which,
therefore cter keep the fisheries O ITSELF can,
most nations do, sell licenses 10 fish. This rule would be
sufficiently clear enlist the sympathies Of all owners of
property but that there is dispute, completely
settled az to the method of drawing the tbreemile line
IL TO he measured from lowWater mark and so follow
all indentaOns Of the coast or is all water included
Nv straight line from headland to hcadland 10
be CONSIDERED within the three miles Those who
who want 10 prevent fishing the ample
measurement and both parties contest the point with
feeling that they are being violently oppressed ana con
Cmpbe the subject matter OF quarrel L. are sure 10
he in temper for fighting rather than arbitration. As
II happens massachusetts Is especially angry Just now
Many of her citizens are fishermen; their IaVOrts
banks lie off the Canadian shore aud they have lost
nearly 80 vessels which have been seized ana condemned
by the Canadians for trespassng within the prescribed
line The Canadians probably In the right and II not
the matter il To lie submitted 10 judicial commits
sion Of the two countries; but Gen. Butler, simply To
make his election easier SEXES upon it, makes namma
toryS speeches declare that England Is rObDlng the
people of Massachusetts of their fish, and calls them
10 break of all negotiations with the " unfTtendly
Government which is schemiEg," by means of fish,
to build up hostile nation north OF the United
states We allow, of course for the necessities Of
Oratury and for American deli gt Ia eXaggeraOn; but
this man, who may he the leader, and will certainly be
one Of the leaders Of his party is clearly doing his best
10 stir up dscOrd between the two most powerful mari
time nations for his selfish interests risking war
winch would be pure injury 10 the world and his own
people. in order secure triumphant election. He
does about few trumpery cod any more than
Englshmen do but he knows that men grow bitter on
any subject of the kind and an English denagOgne
risks exciting spirit OF agrdTan outrage by nOnscnsca
defamation about hares, 20 Gen. Butler risks horrible
war by declaring thai England Is schcming TO injure
the Union 10y projecting cod
We suppose there no help for this kind Of thing but
We never can quite get over sense Of surprise that
Americans should tolerate IT, Massachusetts claims To
De- ana L. the Nres state IN the Union Her population
exceptionally cool, moderate and well educated. she
has SET most commendable example Ofdcy to her
cumal wing paid interest on her bonds III
eol9 throughout the war; when she was legally author
cu o pay them III paper. Yet her citizens hear with
hnu on pleasure that they ought 10 make these bonds
hess, ana attack peaceful people and risk and in
me- uIuhefed evils, because Great Britain Is trying
oucpIiNt l'n oi doubtful right fish in hafa-dOzcn
udy TOT COZ the whole worth OF which would be lost to
u' 9'"'' i'll one days panic about war.