The New York herald., 1877-09-01
THE FISHERY COMMISSION.
ITS COMPOSITION, OBJECTS AND LABoRs-IM-
PoRrANT QUESTIONS OF INTERNATIONAL IN
rEREsrs-Do WE OWE cANADA?-IF SO, HOW
MITCH 2-uATJWAY 4CsPYTAIITY.

rEREsTs-Do WE OWE cANADA?-IF SO, HOW
MUCH H?-HALIFAx HOSPITALITY.
HALIFAX. Nova Scotia, August %. 1871
The Fisheries Commissioners consisting OF Mr. Mau-
rice DeIiosse, the Minister from Belgium to the
United States; the Hon. Ensign II. Kellogg of Pitts
field, Mass, and Sir Alexander Gat Of Montreal-had
It's first meeting hero June 10 The commission then
organized and adjourned to July 81, and since that
time have been In session Al the Parliament House.
meeting every day except Saturday and Sunday. and
remaining In session from twelve to four O'Clock Mr.
>. II. B. Bergne, of London, Is clerk Of the commits
SION. The United States is represented by ex-Juds
Dwight Foster. Of Boston, assisted by the Hon
Richard H. Dana also OF Boston, and MI. William
| Henry Tuscott, OF Washington. Tho Hon. Francis
| Clare Ford, OF London, late Charge d'Anares at
| Darmstadt and at Time secretary OF the
British Legation at Washington, 10 agent
Of Her Majesty's government assisted by counsel
| from each province OF the Dominion. Among them
are Joseph Doutre, ESQ.,, of Montreal; Mr. White
way, from Newfoundland Mr.. smith, Minister OF
Fisheries, from Ottawa; Mr. whicher. Fish Commits
siouer Tor Canada; Mr.. Dawes, OF Prince Edwards
| Island; Mr.. Thompson, OF New Brunswick, and Mr..
| Weatherby, Of Halifax.
OBJECTS COMMISSIONS.
| The commission was appointed under tho Treaty Of
Washington, made on the sth day OF May, 1871.
This treaty gave the fishermen from the United
States the right hsh Irrespective Of tho three mile
limit with permission TO land for the purpose OF cur
ing aud drying fish and obtaining supplies. II also
gave Canadian fishermen the same rights on the
shores of the United States The treaty gave each
party the right OF entering the product OF the fish.
cries into each country free OF duty.
Tho commission provided Tor the purpose Of
determining the Of compensation which ought
to be paid by the United States government for the
privileges SO granted which privileges limited TO
twelve years.
The agent for Her Majesty's government claims
the part of Newfoundland the sum Of $ $780, 600, and
for the Dominion of Canada $l2. .00O, ,0O0-in all
H. 4ss0,0O0
Tue agent OF tho United States claims that privi
lcge OF purchasing bait, &C., not fair subject Of
compensation that the treaty does not provide for
compensation for these privileges that the fishing
along the coast Of the United Staos is valuable
along the British provinces; that the advantages Of
Tree importation OF the products OF the fisheries into
the United States throwing markets open to their
competition, more than componsates for Any advan.
tages the fishermen Of the United States are likely 10
derivo.
The plaintiffs so to speak, have been putting IN
their case since the LIST Of August and have already
examined large number of witnesses in relation to
the value OF the fishing inside the three mile limit
along the Canadian coast, and large number OF
parto ai1davitS have been read. The com mission
expect to be in session until December
POSSIBILITY DISAGREEMENT.
II seems 10 be admitted by both sides that the
award Of the commission must bo unanimous, and
perhaps 1t is too much to expect there Will be
any thing like substantial agreement among the Com
mssloners An editorial article in the Times (London)
asserting that the commission have power to settle
the real difference has created quite sensation here
In point OF fact, American fishermen las the FISH.
rived no great advantages IRON the treaty
me mile limit was practically disregarded, for
whatever the law was no fisherman utter school OF
mackerel ever very particular to measure his ex
act distance from the shore. The Canadians have
always claimed that the three miles should be meas.
ured from the headands and the United States
have always disputed their claim rhe most most
admitted that II the fisheries were to be always
free both countries that large business would grow
up IN HALIFAX and ST. Johns and other Canadian towns
OF purchasing and forwarding lsh from these points
to Chicago and other Western Cities and then Ameri
hshermea would discharge their catch here rather
than mako y long trip TO Boston to discharge and
rcdt and many Canadians would be glad to have the
fisheries forever free on this and other accounts In
fact many prominent officials admit boldly that 1t
would he tor the advantage OF the Dominion If there
There very few, indeed, Of the citizens of the
Dominion VINO want 10 have the results OF This com
mission confined TO mere money compensation, and
they arc already quite prepared for disagreement
among the Commissioners as to the amount OF thc pc
cunary award. But one result will be that there VIII
DO full, fair ana impartial investigation OF the whole
question OF the isheries and the merits OF the
VIII at be FULLY undcrstood by both partes
to the controversy hereafter. The Dominion statesmen
would be very glad give up the nsneres the United
would concede the free entry into the United
States Of coal lumber aud the Dominion, and
as long the Pennsylvania miners misbenave them
selves as they do would be wei, Tor the United States
to consider the question iavorably.
EXCHANGE OF H0sPlTALIrIEa.
Halifax has proved delightful place for the meet
ing OF the commission. Tho Haligonians arc a nos
and other social festivities Sir Alexander Gait, Mr..
Doutrc and others have taken houses here and
tain handsomely. Judge Foster opened Tor the Amer
leans by giving large and successful ball, and other
dinners and festivities on the part Of tho Americans
are to follow. The Bcepheron, under the command
Of ADMIRAL Sir Cooper Key was here IN the early part
Of August and is expected back early IN September
The officers of the garrison here are not inattenve
the ladies belonging the American side and Hal
flax summer Is most cool ana delightful place to
be in. 10 be surc society is little provincial and
social lines are very strictly drawn as is apt to be In
towns of this character. The English element Is
rather strong, which also is most natural in place
where officers the garrison give lone to society.
The headquarters of the Americans is at the Waver
ley Hotel quiet hostelry, rather on the boarding
house plan kept by excellent LADIES'. The halifax
Hotel IS IN tho centre OF the business part the town
and is tolerably and ''tocrabe" Ia the right word
Many of the commission have been Hospitality wei
coined at Halifax Club, which has u handsome
building and an excellent cuisine.
MUTUAL COMMERCIAL INTERESTS.
1t would be greatly lor tue advantage of the coast
provinces If trade between them and The states were
unrestricted. American capital would build up their
forwarding business, develop and work tner valuable
coal mines and establish It's fishing interests; and
New england especially and New orK would pront Dy
tho competition coal, ana be able return TO COM
pete advantage0usiy with English manufacturers Tor
their trade
1t certain that tho business interests OF Canada
are yearly becoming moro Identical with those OF tue
Unitei States trade later controls the
politics OF Intelligent people III the Fisheries Com.
mssioners tail to agree, now seems prooable or If
in the opinion of The majority OF the Commissioners
only n nominal sum should be awarded the hshery
quest would still be Tor discussion and future
negotiation. The main uty n setting II is taat
the interests of the dier mt States OF tho Union are
not nd Alexander
appointed by the English government Is able and
adroit and is identified with and devoted TO the in
tcrests OF Canada Mr. Deosse has the reputation Of
being fair, intelligent aud reliable IL may not be I'M
possible that after examination Of the whole qucs
ton tho American Commissioners may consent TO
some compens more with the design OF avoiding
other expensive hearings and complications than be-
cause ythng should be paid tor right which can
be shown to be more than counterbaianced by tho
privileges granted in return.