The New York herald., 1878-11-15
WASHINGTON.
Lord Salisbury on Treaty Obliga-
tion and Local Law.
A REPLY TO SECRETARY EVARTS LETTER
Her Majesty's Government in
a Friendly Spirit.
GENERAL CONDITION OF THE NAVY
Annual Reports Of the Heads
Of Bureaus.
GENERAL CONDITION OF THE NAVY
GENERAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.

The following is Lord Salisbury's reply to the de-
spach OF Secretary Evars concerning the injuries sus
taned by Amercon fishermen in Fortune Bay andt.he
attitude Of the home government in regard to the
colonial Legislation affecting rights under the
Treaty of Washington
their from n' Mr. 0 ESarss
the l2th ult respecting the complaints made by the
government OF the United States Of the injuries sus
january list This despatch is in reply to my letter
of the 2Sd of August, in which forwarded
copy OF the report furnished by Captain Sullivan OF
tion Mr.. Evarts remarks that the United States
government have not been put in possession OF the
dispositions which form the basis Of that report and
unable therefore to whether upon their con-
sideralfon. the view which the government Of the
United States takes Of these transactions upon the
statement OF their citizens would be at air
modified. Her Majesty's government have not had
the opportunity Of considering the statements in
Captain Sulivan's report. and which have the
honor to forward. appeared to them, in the absence
OF other testimony, to be conclusive regards the
facts OF the Apart however from the facts i'll
respect to which there appears to be material di-
vergencc between the evidence collected by the United
States government and that collected by the colonial
authoriteA Mr. Evarts takes exception letter
e @oo on tne Brouno 81 my staemen. that the Unised
states fishermen concerned have been guilty Of
breaches of the law. From this he nfers opinion
on my part that it is competent for British authority
to pass laws in suppression Of the treaty binding
American fishermen within the three mile limit. In
pointing out that the American fishermen had broken
the law within the territorial limits of Her Majestys
dominions it had intention of inferentialy laying
down any principles of international law; ana no ad-
~ an,aee s" sh'1h oe gainea Oy "ong SO
absolutely require. hardly believe however. that
Mr. Evarts would in discussion adhere to the broad
doctrine which some portion Of his lang,lagc would
appear to convey-that no british authority has any
r.gnt 70 pass any kind Of law binding Americans
be just se same ssty fsp Il ina = %
q any other Power. and the waters be delivered
over 70 anaTchy. On the other hand Her Majestys
sselfcvdent. that British sovereignty severe as regards
these matters is limited in it's scope by the
which cannot be modified or affected by
municipal legislation cannot anticipate that with
found to ,s e any % ~. o w po
ments. If. however. it be admitted that the New
ionndland legislators have the righs Of binding
Americans who fish within their waters by any laws
which do not contravcne existing treaties, it must
further be conceded that the duty Of determining tho
taken by the governments and cannot be
mifted to the discretion of each individual
one side. can hardly be refused ON the other
II any American fisherman may violently break law
, (Which ne believes to be contrary to treaty New,
believes 1t 70 be in accordance with treaty. As the
points in issne frequently subtle and require
considerable legal knowledge nothing but confusion
and disorder could result from such mode of dccd
ing the Interpretation Of the treaty Her Majcstys
government prefer the view that tho law enacted by
the Legislature Of the country, whatever it may be,
ought to be obeyed by natives and foreigners alike who
are soournng within the territorial limits OF it's uris-
dicton but that IL a law has been inadvertently
passed which is in any degree respect ut variance
with rights conferred on foreign Power by treaty.
the correction Of the mistake, committed at the
earliest period after its existence shall have been
ceraincd and recognized is matter of international
1t is not explicitly stated in Mr. Evarts' despatch
that he considers any recent acts of the Colonial
the United States under the Treaty OF Washington.
but. If that Is the case, Her Majestys government
will in friendly spirit, consider any approximations.
he may think 1t right to make upon the subject with
the hope OF coming to satisfactory understandings
JOHN WELSH. Esq., &C., &C.. &c.
OUR NAvY-REpoRTs OF BUREAU OFFICERS.
Commodore shufeldt reports to Secretary Thomp-
that during the past year sixty three vessels have
been either wholly or partially equipped at the sew
eral navy yards ut an expenditure follows;-
For material. from stock on band 4s7.sss 81
For material purchased during the year.. ss,i2o "A
TOTAL S'l7,Ol0 SO
36,1s0 tons of coal have been purchased for the
OF the navy. costing including freight. $3.50 222 90.
2so,53o pounds Of Manila hemp have been pur-
chased. costing S23.s57 o.
During the year SG44.1g0 have been expended for
the equipment of vessels; and under appropriation
contingent equipment and recruiting, 1873, 5lA52
leaving balance ON hand OF Sl3.5i2.
facurcd at the Washington Navy Yard An iron roll
ing mill hns been established tho Washington Navy
Yard. costing $o.o53 20. This mill will furnish all
the iron required for at the navy yards and will
utilize tho accumulated wrought iron scraps at the
several yards and furnish material at reduced cost
The conduct reports to tho bureau exhibit
marked Improvement in the conduct of the enlisted
the statistics showing decrease of ten per cent
" compared with last year. The number OF descr-
Hons during the year &C., and during the previous
vear sls Five hundred and twcnty-threc boys have
been enlisted during the past year. There are re-
naming on tho training ships 4i0 boys. who are adj
vancine the tone and morals Of the service with the
training system on permanent basis the manning of
ships by native born scamen will result. II
II s the intention Of the department TO continue the
present system of training ships Commodore shu-
feidt recommends that the sailing vessels constitu-
ton. Saratoga and Portsmouth be retained for that
purpose. These vessels among the last of our
sailing vessels and peculiarly adapted to the pur
poses OF training.
He recommends that during the wintcr the Const.
ntion be stationed at Scw York. tho Portsmouth a
Philadelphia and the Saratoga nj Baltimore. or at
such other ports tho department may direct. and
that during the summer these vessels should combine
for cruise and exercise in waters. under tho
command Of the senior officer.
The system inaugufatcd by the department. OF hav-
Ing certain Of our ships in for seryicen
preference to old hulks-as rendezvous for recruits
vt the naval stations. should be extended. AS tile
Wabash Is at Boston. the Colorado At New York and
The Franklin at Norfolk. the Commodore recommends
hat the Minnesota be stationed at League Island
receiving ship and marine barracks.
The Chief Of the Bureau commends to his successor
the apprentice boys Of the navy These wards Of the
government who come from the rank and ile of the
country, are tho future guardians Of tho nations
honor. The efficiency Of the navy depends upon fts
officers and mon. and not upon its ships and guns.
YARDS AND books.
Commodore II. J.. Law. chief OF the Bureau OF
Yards and Docks. In his report says no appropriation
Tor Improvement Of navy yards was made for
is7s-,g except the small of s7500o for the con-
tinuation Of work the Mare Island dry dock.