The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1878-11-13
The FISHERY Troubles.

o
The Fishery Troubles.
The facts in regard to the recent
Canadian fishery troubles that have
been made a matter of diplomatic
correspondence between our govern
ment and that of Great Britain, may
be briefly stated Us follows:
The Treaty of Washington secures
to our fishermen the absolute and
unlimited right to catch ishof every
kind except shell.tish in Canadian
waters for twelve years, within three
miles of the shores. Outside the
three mile line we already had the
right freely to fish.
The United States agreed in return
to admit free of duty Canadian sea
fish and fish oil forthe same term Of
years, and, further to submit to arbi-
tration the question whether and
how much we ought to pay in addi-
ton.
Thcreupon the Halifax Fishery
Commission was created, and before
it the British presented their claim,
asserting that we ought to pay them
S14, $500 for the twelve years. 1t
was claimed by this Government,
and ample proof adduced to establish
the claim, that not only was the sum
absurdly excessive, but further that
any advantage gained BY the Ameri-
cans from the freedom Of the fishing
grounds was more than Offset by the
free market furnished for the Cana
dams fish and oil. Owing either to
the weakness of our representation
before the commission or, as has boon
charged, to the bias of the Commits
-siuners, the award was fixed at the
extravagant sum of S5,500,000.
This award we were bound in hon
or to pay, and provision was made
threfor by Congress. Meanwhile
some American fisherman put into
Fortune Bay, New Foundland, for
herring. While engaged in their
work they were set upon by mob
of New Foundland fishermen, their
seins cut, and themselves driven
away, the mob carrying away guam
tity of their property. This was
made the subject of u protest by Sec.
rotary Evarts. After a long delay.
Lord Salisbury replied, stating that
he had caused an Investigation to be
made by Capt. Sullivan Of H, NJ. S,
Serius. The Captain had reported
that the mob was justified because
the Americans were violating q
local law of New Foundland in re.
gard to close time and fishing on the
Sabbath, This report Lord salisbu-
ny accepts and makes the basis Of his
reply. Our Government promptly
replied that this ground is wholly
untenable, that solemn internation-
al treaty cannot be set aside by ar
bitrary local laws, and that if this
principle should obtain our rights
under the treaty are practically
nothing.
The real secret of the attack upon
the American fishermen is said to be
this: The Americans had for many
years been in the habit of buying
the herring which they use for bait
from the New Foundlanders, but
they became so exacting in their
prices that the Americans decided to
henceforth catch their own bait; aud
accordingly they started on their
cruise to the banks a week or two
earlier. This enraged the islanders
and is thought to be the cause Of the
outrage, As this privilege of catch.
ing bait is about the only one our
fishermen get under the treaty, it is
Of the highest Importance that this
shall be secured 10 them when the
price is paid; and Secretary Evarts
will be justified in Withholding the
payment Of the award until this
point is settled. For it should be
borne in mind that the award of 3d..
100000 covers the whole period Of
- years, past and to come, during
which the arrangement provided in
the treaty is to subsist.