The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-05-05
TEE TREATY IN CANADA.
Opening the Fisheries>,, to
,cm Americans. =,
Ssf%ss- --s~-7
Speech u Sir John A. Macdonald on tho Treaty
as Touching the Kanucks-The New Domin-
ion Source of Weakness to England

OF the Dominion government and one OF the Joint
High Commissioners, introduced bill to give effect
to certain clauses Of the Treaty of Washington He
said he had originally intended merely to suspend
the fishing laws which prevent Americans from
fishing In our waters during the coming season. AS
however, the American government had acted on
al the claims, the Canadian government had de-
cided to follow the same course.
The first clause OF tho bill was to suspend the
present fishery laws which prohibit Americans
from fishing in Canadian waters.
The second clause OF tho bill provided that during
the existence OF the treaty, fish and fsh oil, with
the exception Of such products Of the inland lakes
shall be admitted from the United States free or
duty. -
The third clause provided for the continuance Of
the bonding system during the operation Of the
treaty. sns-ss y'r s. - ~,
The fourth clause provided that the right Of
transhipment contained in the thirteenth clause OF
the treaty shall be insured to citizens Of the United
States during the existence Of the treaty.
The last clause provides that the act shall go into
effect on the issuance by the government Of an
order In Council.
This bin brought all the subjects Of the treaty
upon, before the House. The treaty had been
largely discussed In the public press, and his posi-
ton with reference TO It had been the subject or
comment No matter what might be the con-
sequences, this
PARLIAMENT HAD THE RIGHT TO REJECT
clauses Of the treaty affecting Canada If they
pleased. II such right did not exist he would have
had no right to sign the treaty as PlenipOtentary.
Sir John spoke Tor over five hours, and his speech
reviewed the whole proceedings Of the Commission,
strongly urging the House to assent to the bill, con-
tending that the treaty as whole was favorable to
that the portion OF the treaty which they supposed
would prove most prejudcial to the maritime
provinces was the most favorably regarded by the
people Il affected most nearly.
All our fishreies were not open to Americans. We
still reserve our in-shore fisheries, and on the Pa
cihc coast they were as eXhaustless and, he be-
leved, priceless as the fisheries OF Hudson Bay.
Under the treaty we have
ACCESS TO THE MARKETS or THE UNITED STATES,
with the products OF those fisheres while the
American fishermen were excluded from Canada.
Therefore we have the best Of the bargain in this
respect. AS to yielding the privilege OF the navi-
CATION OF the st. Lawrence River no territorial
rights were yielded. The management of the tolls
stipulation made In the treaty being that the United
States may
USE THE ST. LAWRENCE
on as free terms as Canadian subjects for the pur-
pose OF commerce, and commerce only. As to the
St Clair Flats Canal, 1t was located where it Is by
United States engineers In good faith believing that
1t was OH American territory. While the Commits
soners were discussing the question the point was
submitted tte that the map ala dos not
clause OF the treaty relating to it it appeared that
1t was no matter whether the canal was partly on
treaty it was to be used for all time equal terms
by vessels OF the people of the United States and OF
Canada
IN REGARD TO FENIAN RAIDS
1t was admitted that Canada was wronged on that
point. England admitted it, and believed that due
exertion and due vigilance had not been exercised
by the American government to break up Fenian
organizations, who were preparing for an invasion
of our country, to Stay our people and destroy
property. Therefore it was 1T thing for Canada to
press their claims for damages through England,
instructions to the Commons 1t was stated that
Canada had been invited to send statement Of her
claims to England, but they had not done SO, and
had In rfAtn
rs an instance Of Canadian neglect He said 1t was
AN INSTANCE or CANADIAN CAUTION.
The Canadian government felt, in pressing for
claims, that not only they but every private per-
son who has suffered from Fenian raids, had right
to compensation; hut Canada had no desire To
limit or strictly define these claims. What was
wanted was an admission OF principle, after which
the government could file all right and reason
able claims for damages. The United States
took ground that the fenian claims were not in
Guided in the correspondence between the govern
ments, and he could not but feel that there was a
great weight in the argument OF the British Com
missioners. He felt justified in pressing the ques
tion but the American commissioners declined to
ask from their government any fresh Instructions
or any enlargement Of the treaty
ENGLAND HAD ASSUMED THE RESPONSIBILITY
OF the error committed. Respecting the claims,
England had refused to demand compensation from
the Americans, and was wise in so doing. IL would
have entailed an Investigation and arbitration be-
tween England and the United States OF an I'M
scemly character, That Would create difficulties be-
tween the two countries. They therefore suggested
arrangement that would DE an advantage "
Canada that would be of more benefit to US than
any money compensation we could expect which
was
GUARANTEE FOR THE PACIFIC RAILROAD.
The honorable gentleman concluded by saying:
at had been stated that England sacrificed the in
terests of Canada. II she had done So what sacri-
fees had she not made herself for the sake OF peace?
Had she not made herself liable for millions Of dol
lars, and done what great nation must have felt
kecnly--madc an apology Tor what she had done
But for whose sake had she done thsy Principally
for the sake OF Canada, which was to her
A SOURCE or WEAKNESS,
as she herself was impregnable, while she could at
tack the United States on thousand points. II we
were to drive hard bargain portion Of the EN-
pire we would not join in the sacrifice which Eng
land made for us and for the sake OF peace. We
should be unworthy Of the position which we hope
to attain, the right arm Of Engand's power This
treaty rendered war with the United States almost
an impossbiilty, as any question could be treated
the Alabama question and settled by arbitra
tion.n
Sir Johns speech was received with loud ana
prolonged applause.
After a few remarks from Mr.. Mackenzie. the bin
was read first time, Tuesday being set Gown for
the second reading.
THE WOOSTER STREET FIRE,