New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-11-18
THE TEXT OF THE LETTER.

INSISTING THAT THE CASE IL CLo0fD.
WAsHISGTON. Nov. 1.-THE reply of Lord Sails
bury TO the dispatch from Secretary Eyarts concern
ing tho fishery award at Halifax is now given to
the public. 1t is addressed to Minister Welsh The
document recites in the first case the circumstances
which led to the appointment of the Halifax Com
mission. IL comments on transactions at Hahtax,
and then enters into an argument IN reply 10 the
suggestion made by Secretary Evarts that an unan-
imous award at Halifax was necessary, and that
possibly the commission had been influenced by
considerations which the treaty did not not require
it to take into account. Lord Salisbury does nos
assent to the suggestion made by the Secretary
Of State The following is his letter the subjects
The FACTS OF THE TREATY RECALLED.
FOREIGN OFFICE Nov. 2, 1879.
SIR: Her Majesty's Government have given their
attentive consideration TO tho dispatch relating 10 tho
Halifax Fisheries Commission addressed to you by Mr..
Evars the Secretary OF STATE Of the United States
copy OF which you were good enough TO place in my
hands the 10th ultimo; and have now the honor
TO the following observations In reply which
shall feel greatly obliged by your communicating to
Mr. Eyarts with the least possible delay.
Her Majesys Government fully appreciates the frank
meas with which Mr. Evsrts has requested you 10 con'
muDcae TO them the views Of tue Government or tue
United states this question, and 1t is their desire 10
recprccatc the fullest degree the wish expressed by
Mr. Evarts TO 20 a complete and explicit under.
standing between the two Governments az TO the cons
formity OF award made by the commission 10 the
terms OF the Treaty OF Washington must in the d. q
instance recall to recollection the circumstances
which led to the Organization Of the Halifax Commits
sion The reciprocity treaty OF the 5th OF June,
1854, between Great Britain aud the United States
terminated In 1866 not from any desire on the part OF
Majesys Government 70 put period to Its stpuaa
tions but in consequence OF 1.-THE notice provided for in
Article Of that treaty having been given by the United
states Government tne mutual privileges in respect to
free fishing free trade In certain productions when
had its operation been enjoyed by the Inhabitants
Of the United states aud Of Her Maesty's North Amert-
can possessions end The effect OF TINS de-
termination OF the reciprocity treaty to revive tho
difficulties incidental to the fisheries observation-disclosures
lies 80 well known to bOth Governments that 1t Is need
less for me to enlarge upon them the present occa-
sion
The danger however, Of collision between the fisher
men of the two nations began 10 manifest Itself soon
after the termination OF the reciprocity treaty, and Her
Maiestys Government anxious 10 come TO speedy
and satisfactory solution Of the question
1.-THE then rectes the steps taken for the appoint
rnent OF the High Joint Commission which drew up
tue Washington Treaty, and the circumstances under
which clause inserted in the treaty providing for
a special Fishery Commission The recitation is formal.
and may omitted, the facts being sufficiently well
known The only point of the story is that the WASH
ngton Treaty. with its provisions for the settlement OK
he Alabama claims grew out of the friendly proposition
Of Great Britain for the taking Of steps 10 come 10 an
agreement in regard to the fishery privileges
TIE PROCEEDINGS AT Haitian.
In accordance with OF the treaty, and after
previous communication between the three commissions
ers the 18th June 1877 liked for the first day Of
meeting. The commission accordingly organized by
holding the first conference at the city OF Halifax on
that Gav when all tho commissioners present and
produced their respective powers. The Hon. Dwight
Foster Mr. Ford also present As agents Of theI
respective Governments NJ. Defosse was then, upon
the proposal OF United states Commissioner elected
presldent OF the commission, and secretary having
been appointed by hun, the three COMMISSIONERS pro-
ceeded in accordance with the twentyhird article Of
the treaty to make and sign solemn declaration that
they would mparti1lly and carefully examine and
decide the referred 10 them TO the best OF thei
Judgment, and according TO Justice and equity. The
commission them after meeting on the next day foi
the purpose of approving and signing the protocol OF
the previous days proceedings, aUouIheu uh TUG -en
day Of July, 1877.
The commission having met pursuant TO adjournment
on the 2sh day OF July the United States agent named
the counsel retained behalf OF the United states and
AZ the next conference, held the 30h day OF july
the case OF Ma)estys Government war opened and
was concluded on the 18th day OF September That Of
the United states America opened Oh the 10Th OF
the MONTH and closed on the 2ith day OF OCTOBER
It's unnecessary that SHOULD here recc each step IL
these heightened proceedings. IL will be sufficient "a
state that eighty witnesses all were examined on
behalf OF Her Britannia Mljcsy's Government, and sew
eutyegnt Oh the part United states OF America
These witnesses were subjected to the most searching
counsel Of the greatest ability and
among those Iamincd will be found the names Of many
persons who from special knowledge Of the SUBJ
lect both practically and generally were well qualified
TO express opinion, and whose evidence was entitled
10 the greatest weight the Investigation O the matter
Three hundred afdavits were produced In support Of
the case Of Her Britannia Maesty's Government, and
$50 in support the United states the deponents cons
Drsng those who also N position To give Va!u-
aoe and convincing testimony with regard TO the fish.
cries. whO from various causes were unable to give
oral Evidence before the commission. A yoluminoua
mass OF documentary and statistical matter was pro-
duced submitted TO the commission on either side.
md about fourteen entire days devoted TO argu.
meuts OF counsel upon tic whole The commission
held m all scventyeight stngs Of about four hours du
ration eac and the proceedings terminated on the 23d
y of November 1877 By the announcement " the tol
lowing award
The undersigned Commits soners. appointed under
Articles % aud - Of the Treaty OF Washington OF the
Sh uf May, 1871, TO determine, having regard 10 the
privileges accorded by the United states to subjects
Her Britannia Maesty stated III Articles 10 aud II
said treaty the amount OF any compensation which,
their OPINION ought 10 be paid by tho Government OF
the United states 10 the Government Her Brtanni,
Majesty return for the priyeges accorded TO the en-
Zen OF the United under Article Is OF the said
matters referred 10 them according justice equity
IN conformity with the solemn declarat on made aud
subscribed by them on the lotn day OF June, 1877,
award The sum S550OOOO In gold 10 be paid by the
Government OF the United states TO the Government OK
Her Britannia Majesty IN accordance WIN the proVl'
signed at HALIFAX THE 23d day of November. ls77.
MAURICE DELFOssE
A. 4. CALI
The United states Commissioner Is OF opinion that
the advantages accrung 20 Great Britain under
the Treaty. Washington are greater than the adyan-
tages conf United Stes by said treaty and
he cannot, therefore, concur III the conclusions
uounceG by his colleagues And the American Commits
tiunsbc whether competent for the board make
an under The treaty except with the unanimous
consent OF It's members.
l. Ii. KELLOGG, Commissioner.
II was thus assuedly not without the thorough