The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-04-25

ihs iorty.ninth parallel provided In the treaty OF
ls4s was for the sole purpose OF giving the whole OF
vancouver's Island to Great Britain and that
to effect this purpose the line was to
be carried through the Canal de Haro to
the Straits OF Fuca on its way to the Pacific Ocean
This line gives TO the United states the HarO
Archipelago, OF which the important island Of San
Juan forms part. The British claim that the
boundary under the treaty is by the Rosario Straits,
which would throw the island OF San Juan, the
most valuable Of the whole group OF islands In the
Archipelago, within the British line. So clear and
correct is the American construction believed to be,
as 1 have stated here before, that our government
has never hesitated II agreeing to leave 1t to
the arbitration OF a friendly Power Previous to
1861 the British government exhibited great tenacity
and much feeling IN connection with the NATTER
but in that year Lord Lyons assured our govern
ment that England was DESTROYS OF adjusting the
matter by arbitration , nd
TREATY TO THAT EFFECT
was then prepared. The CIVIL war prevented Its
consideration by the Senate In 1859 similar
treaty was negotiated, but no action was taken
upon It, The Joint Commission Will arrange 1t by
practically revising the condition OF these inchoatc
conventions With reference to
THE FISHERY QUESTION,
1t is understoo that the Commissioners have agreed
to the absolute ownership by Canada of the inshore
fisheries OF the Canadian coast-that 49, within three
marine miles Of the coast and mouths OF harbors
less than ten miles wide; and that, on the other
hand, the headland interpretation-the measuring
of the three marine miles from ex IRENE headland to
headand, instead OF following the curva-
ture of the shore-has been abandoned. The
determination as to what equivalents Canada
shall receive for the freedom to our Usher
men Of the inshore fishing Is still under con-
sideration several propositions having been SUBJ
mtted on each side looking to an interchange OF
fishing privileges interchange OF notifications
of existing restrictions, and perhaps moneyed
consideration While the question has been adj
justed as stated the details as 10 the equivalents
are not yet finally concluded And connected with
this Is the matter OF using
THE CANADIAN CANALS
OF st. Lawrence and the Welland. as well as those
contemplated such as the Huron and Ontario. to
connect Lake Superior with the St Lawrence by q
direct route, which avoids the det0ur OF Lake Erie.
The Commission have It appears, agreed that the
use Of these canals without which the right to navi
gate the st. Lawrence would be worthless and I'M
possible, Is a concession which rests with Canada,
and that, consequently. the free use OF those canals
by American citizens not being matter OF natural
right, becomes proper subject for arrangement
between the two countries. IL Is possible that the
Commission may consider 1t necessary 10 declare
what concessions shall be granted for the inshore
fisheries and the freedom OF the Canadian canals,
being satisfied with the general agreement which
defines the status Of those questions leaving 1t to
future arrangement to agree upon the terms upon
which the concession Will be made to u.s. At pre-
sent, however, the propositions regarding equiva-
tents are still under consideration. 1t IS under
stood that In order to close up at once the
questions really in dispute between the United
States and Great Britain, the Alabama matter the
San Juan and the fisheries, no attempt will be made
to arrange at this time any questions OF trade with
Canada, as it would require the sanction OF the
House OF Representatives ana thus delay the pro-
ceedings till next winter OF course 1t Will be IN
derstood that from the r"
- NATURE OF THE ADJUSTMENT
sought in the Alabama difficulty, the Commission
have not considered any Of the CLAIMS nor has the
question OF the responsibility OF the United
States to Canada for Fenian raids heen before
them. All these matters win probably, how
ever cone before the mixed court Of claims
which the treaty will provide for 1t is ascerained
that the Commissioners VIII remain here until the
Senate has disposed Of the convention. 1t may be
that the Senate may require notifications to be
made and in that event the Commissioners will be
prepared to consider the Senate's wishes and meet
them IL possible The general impression is that the
discussion IN the Senate will last three or four
weeks, but this is mere surmse Earl de Grey mas
been compelled to decline visiting Canada although
urgently requested to do as he has been delayed
here so much longer than was at first anticipated