The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-06-23
THE NEWFOUNDLAND FISHERIES

THE FRENCH CLAIM EXCLUSIVE PRIVILEGES
ON THE BANKS OF THE IsLAND-HOw THE
QUESTION WILL AFFECT THE UNITED
THE TREATY OF WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, Juno %, 1875
For the first time in twenty years question
has arisen between Great Britain and France Of not
altogether friendly nature and which has lod DIS
cussion in tho Hou:o Of Commons and slight
stir in naval circles It relates claim set up by
Franco to the exclusive right OF fishing between
tain points the coast Of Newfoundland defined in
the Treaty Of Utrecht aud confirmed by the treaty Of
l76a This exclusive right is denied by the Canadian
fishermen, who maintain that 1t is only concurrent
and later the Secretary of state for the colonies In his
place Parliament stated that the English govern
mcnt did not recognize any such claim and could not
concede It. English fishermen complain OF damage
being done their nets by French men-ofwar, and
though the whole question Is now before Joint COM
mission sitting at Paris squadron Of four armed vcs-
sells is the eve Of leaving Cherbourg to strengthen
tho naval force at the French Islands of ST Pierre and
Miquclon, on Newfoundland
AMERICAN INTERESTS INVOLVED
This Frcnch claim 10 the exclusive right Of nshnE In
certain North American waters not . new II Is
based, they insist upon tho treaties bearing
the subject and has been practically recognized by the
Canadian and British authorities But the matter Of
bringing the question up at this time is what attracts
attention 1t said that the government Of Marshal
MacMahon not being at all satisfied with tho Of
that OF Great BritMn IN purchasing tho Sucz Canal
shares revvcs discussion concerning which Eng
ish very sensitive and which also the
isactory settlement Of very important matter now
pending between England and the United States. BY
the Treaty Of Washington us7o joint Fishery Com
money to b. paid by tho United States addition
certain commercial, advantages granted by ehcm an
equivalent for the privilege OF American citizens dh.
ing In common ana equal terms with British sub
jccts Canadian The United States members
OF the Joint High Commission offered ST. O00 600 for
the right but II refused In tho treaty there no
mention Of any exclusive right secured 10 France
any other country The coasts OF Newfoundland afford
the most valuable sources Tor obtaining Ash; fact
there DO found there nexhaustbIc supply ffthe
French claim be insisted upon OF tho value Of
the fisheries would be greatly lessencd The despatch
Of menowar to the locality, though not TO DO consid
cred any way alarming, indicates at least degree Of
resolution in the premises The Fishery Commission
under the Treaty OF Washington, IS fully constituted
at early day q, hai,iax. The Canadian
Ministry OF Marine, It is UNDERSTOOD value the priv
leges to be enjoyed by American fishermen at about
&lu 900 000 but this before the French claim
brought forward.
CONFLICTING CLAIMS
The claim to the possession Of Newfoundland
on the ground Of drst discovery and settle
n1ent was for centuries subject Of dispute
n tho reap Of rrech. T that tho
hnally settled. Great Britain always pretended
that the country was occupied IN the name of Henry
VII Toward the close VI the sixteenth century Lord
Falkland, with colony OF Irish Catholics, founded
settlement on the island but long previous the French
established various parts OF the coast and at
this period many contests occurred between them and
the English AS TO the exclusive right OF fishing in the
locality in the time of Charles l. JOINT agree.
ment was reached, which enabled both parties
TO operate quietly in different quarters; but
after the accession OF William Ill, IN 1892 the ques
ton taken up warmly and force sent out pro-
tcct tho English fisheries. An act Of Parliament
passed AZ the same time asserting the right of laying
open the trade thther all tho subjects OF Great
Britain, with positive and constant exclusion OF all
ended BY Il Z Treaty Of Utrecht Newfoundland was
finally surrendered TO The English, and by the ;hir-
teenih artic e OF the treaty The
FRENCH RETAINED rHE RIGHT or pisHlxG,
as they INSIST exclusively on the banks and using the
shores of the islands between particular points-vz
Poiu RIche the western coast. round the northern
extremity Of the isiand 10 Cape Donayista On the east
ern side. An examination Of the map will show that
the limit here defined though very extensive, lies FAR
north and leaves ort the most desirable portions OF
Newfoundland, 70 which the French were denied
cess. The fishing grounds uncquaiied and II
would the English absiained from using them
Their grounds wcrc amply sufficient for all their
purposes But difficulty arose as to the point the
western coast Al which the French privileges com.
menced They contcndcd that was at Cape Ray,
sisted began, aud this question has remained unset
up the present day BY the treaty OF 1888 after
the conquest Of Can ida by the English the privileges
contained IN The Treaty OF Utrecht confirmed AID
continued and the rights Of ashing extended The arti
Gle rcads-
sThe subjects OF France shall the liberty of .sh
ing drying fish part OF the coasts Of Newiound
land such specified In the thirteenth article Of the
Treaty Of Utrccht except what relates Cape Breton
well 10 other islands and coasts in the mouth OF
the Gut Of ST. Lawrence. and His Britannia Majesty
consents leave His Most Christian Majesiy's sub
liberty hsh IN the nii Of ST. Lawrence,
CONDITION that the subjects Of France do exercise
said 1shing but al the distance OF three leagues
from all the coasts belonging To Great Britain as well
those Of tho continent those OF the Islands IN the
SAID tsclf OF ST. Lawrence. And 10 what relates 10
the fisheries thu coasts Of the ISLAND OF Cape Breton
Frenc subjects shall not be permitted to exercise the
said hsaery but at the distance Of dsecn leagues cm
the OF capc Breton. and the hshng the coasts
Of Nova scotia Acadia and everywhere else out Of
the said Gulf st. Lawrence, shall remain on the foot
ing OF former treaties
FRENCH cosrrpEScE IN ru.fR CLAIM
The French are quite confident In their ability
CAIN 10 the exclusive right OF fishing between Point
Ray the side Of Newfoundland round the
northern extremity OF the island 10 Cape Bonavisa on
the eastern shore THIS embraces large proportion
OF the most productive oil the grounds. and II sus
tanned the question let In DOUBT tho value OF the
privilege be confirmed TO American citizens TO hsh
Canadian waters Will tail very lar below the cst
mates Of Dominion statesmen. At all events the
government ii Prcsideu, MacMahon has revived 4
question that hust DO most troublesome to the
English Ministry. Pitt during the debate on the
treaty ot 1903 SAID 81 commended several times In vain
for the whole exclusive hshcry. but VAS Ovcrruled
repeat was overrucd" IL would seem then that
tho French insisted on some exclusive rights. which
conceded.
DROWNED WHILE BATHING.