National Republican., 1878-11-07
TIE FISHERY AWARD.


The quarrelsome end of the British lion
through the Pail Mall Gdsctte, which is cred-
tied with having very confidential relations
with the English Ministry. 1t usually docs
the scolding for the government, and hence,
like all termagants, is nowhere regarded
with serious attention. If the temper of
the Gazette could be considered as reflex
of the disposition Of the entire or even q
majority of the British Ministry on the
question OF the Halifax fishery award, our
friendly relations with that government
might be regarded as in great jeopardy
but though the temper Of the English press
may be disagreeable, and the English peo-
pie may be little cross, it Is not at all
likely that our peaceful and friendly
relations with the Crown and government
Of Great Britain are to be disturbed, for the
reason that this Government desires that
the character and extent Of the Halifax
treaty shall be fully understood by both
parties before the award shall pass from
our hands to the other side This is what
the dispatch OF Secretary EvARTs calls for,
and it is point that neither the Govern
ment nor the people of the United States
are to yield in advance of perfect and
harmonious understanding of all the rights
that arc guaranteed in the treaty.
There is no doubt that the award of the
Fishery Commission took the American peo-
pie by surprise. The magnitude of that
award has naturally led to an investigation
of its predicate and the advantages which
arc to be enjoyed by the Government as an
equivalent therefor. 1t may be late to in
qure into the merits Of this case, but the
Yankees are of such au inquisitivc turn Of
mind that they will pry into such matters,
especially where the award is so large and
the equivalents are so obscure. They must
and will understand it fully before yield.
ing their cheerful consent to the judgment
that has been rendered. For this reason it
may not be entirely out of place even now
to discuss this treaty and its award in the
| light of intrinsic merit
We have been afforded the opportunity of
reading recent pamphlet review of the
Halifax fishery award, by Mr.. ALEXANDER
BLISS, of this city, who grapples with the
subject with much vigor and force, attended d
| by industrious research into authorities,
precedents, and claims relating to the ques.
tion. From this review we CLEAN that the
amount claimed by Great Britain, and upon
which this award is based, was originally
" in respect to the Dominion Of Canada,
$l?OOOOO0; "in respect to Newfoundland,
81, 800 900; making q gross total Of Sl4,-
900 as the amount claimed by Great
Britain lover and above the value OF any
advantages conferred on British subject,
under the fishery articles OF the treaty oi
Washington" The gist Of this claim il
contained in the following sentence Of the
case as set forth:
1t has been stated in the previous portion 0
this chapter that an average number Of a
least ! 900 United States vessels annually fire.
quent British Canadian waters. The gros
catch of each vessel por trip has been estimated
at s. 900, 4 considerable portion OF which !
net profit resulting from tho privileges con
ferred by the treaty.
Another statement In the Newfoundland
case page los presents the net profit rs be
ing 20 per cent, which would give Sl,l2
MS the net profit OF each vessel. Although
Great Britain does not state what proper
tion of this profit ought to go to it for tn
privilege of fishing in her waters, it certain
ly should not be the whole of it; for If th
whole of the net profit of the operatio
were TO be absorbed in paying her for III
bare privilege Of fishing who would engag
in il? The review contends tina
It is not Great Britain tina
furnishes the capital invested in tn
vessel and its outfit, nor who pays the wage
OF the crew, OF the running expenses, or tn
wear and tear, Of the interest on the outlay
nor does she incur, what is perhaps, NOR
than all, the great risk of the loss of al
these. Nor does Great Britain even deliye
or guarantee to the fisherman certain
quantity of fish; all that she supplies is tn
privilege of catching, If he can, some hsl
within certain limit.
1t appears from the case of Great Britai
+ that this business has been conducted unde
system of licenses Mt the rate of ~ pc
ton. The average tonnage of vessels doe