The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-11-18
THE HALIFAX AWARD.
A REVIEW OF THE CAUSES THAT
PRODUCED KT.

PRODUCED 1T.
Lord saRIshury's letter to Secretary
Evarts-The British View Cenclsely
Stated.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 17-The following Is
Lord Salisbury's reply to the dispatch OF Sec
rotary Evarts concerning the fishery award ;
LORD SALISBURY TO MR. WEIGH.
FOREIGN OFFICE Nov 7, 1873.
Sir-Her Majesty's government have given
their attentive consideration to the dispatch
relating to the Halifax fishery commission
addressed to you by Mr.. Evarts, Secretary OF
State Of the United States of America, a copy
OF which you were good enough TO piaCB III
my hands on the tenth ultimo. and I have
now the honor to make the following OBJ
servations in reply, which I shall feel greatly
o6gehh R phe ~ es ydu1 eay 10 r
Her Maiestys government fully appreciate
the frankness with which Mr.. Evarts has re-
quested you to communicate to them the
views Of the government of the United States
reciprocate in fullest degree the wish which
is expressed by Mr. Evarts, to come to a
complete and explicit understanding be-
tween the two governments as to the con-
sioners to the terms of the treaty Of Washing
ton. [ must in the first instance recall to
your recollection the circumstances which
led to the organlzaton OF the Hallfax
c ths fifth The e 55f3P.ooisGn 5Sne s tesg
Great Britain and the United States
terminated in 1866, not from any desire on the
part of Her Majecty to put period to its
stipuations, but in consequence OF notice,
provided for in article OF that treaty. hav
ing been given by the United States govern
ment. The mutual privilege to free fishing
and free trade in certain productions which
had under its operation been enjoyed by the
inhabitants of the United States and of Her
MaipGtv'g North American
to an end. The effect of this determination
of the reciprocity treaty was to revive
difficulties incidental to the fishing question,
difficulties SO we'll ~ known to both
me to enlarge upon them on the present occa-
sion.
Tine danger, however, of a collision between
fishermen Of the two nations began to mani
fest itself soon after the termination Of the
reciprocity treaty. Her Majesty's govern
ment were anxious to come to a speedy and
satisfactory solution Of the question. With
this view Her Majestys Minister at Washing
ary, 1871, a note to Mr.: Fish, in which
m ment deemed it of Importance to
the good relations which they were
ever anxious should subsist and be strength
ened between the United States and Great
Britain, that friendly and complete under
standing should be made between the two
governments as to the extent Of the rights
belonging to citizens of the United States and
Her Majestys subjects respectively with
reference to the fisheries on the coasts Of Her
Majesty's possessions in North America, and
as to any other questions between them
affecting the, relations of the United
States toward these possessions: As the n
complicated nature, and as It was very de-
sirable that they should be thoroughly ex-
amined, he was directed by Lord Granville
A~ *r +pnS af,1o4n Init
States the appointment of high commission,
which should be composed Of persons to be
named by each government, and should hold
it's sessions at Washington, and should treat
ent questions arising out Of the fisheries, as
well as those affecting the relations Of the
United States towards Her Majesty's possess
sions in North America.
Secretary Fish replied on the thirtfeth Of
January Of the same year, and while stating
the President shared with Her MajestyS that
government the appreciation of the import
ance of a friendly and complete understanding
between the two governments with reference
to the subjects specially suggested for con-
sideration Of the proposed joint high COM
mission he added that it would be desir-
able to include In the deliberations of the
commission o consideration OF other queS-
tions at issue between the two governments,
particularly those known as the Alabama
claims.
It was thus owing to the Importance at
tached by Her Majesty's government to the
fisheries question, and to their anxiety for q
satisfactory settlement Of the difficulties con-
nected with it, that negotiations were com
menced, which led to the organization of the
Joint High Commission and ultimately to the
treaty of Washington. A large portion Of the
to the difficult and long standing question
now under consideration, and after many
proposals and counter proposals, including
offers on the part Of the United States COM
|
far in excess of the mere remission of duty on
fish and fish oil, in order that they might &C
quire for the United States fishermen unre-
stricted access to the inshore waters Of Brit
to 33 were at length agreed to, and constitute
the authority under which the Halifax COM
mission acted.
Article % provided that inasmuch. as it
is asserted by, tho government OF Her
corded to the citizens of the United
ted States, under article 10 Of this treaty, are
of greater value than those accorded by ar
ticles 10 and 81, of this treaty, toSsubjects OF
Her Britsh Majesty and this asserton as fFe IS
ted States, it is further agreed tLat commits
sioners shall be appointed to determine,
| having regard to the privileges accorded by
the United States to the subjects of Her
| British Majesty as stated In articles IS and q
OF this treaty, the amount of any compensa,,
tior which in their opinion ought to be paid
by the government OF the United States to the
governmen Of Her British Majesty in return
for the privilege to the citizens of the United
States under article IS Of the treaty, and any
sum of money which said commissioners may
so award shall be paid by the United States
government in q gross, sum, within twelve e.,
months after such award shall be given. The
acts necessary to enable said articles Of the
treaty to be carred into effect were passfed by
the sixth August, 1872, by the Parliament OF
Canada il June 1872 by the degdg{ldatnpef gd{d
that time form part of the dominion, June
1872, by the colony of Newfoundland d. in In
March, 1874, and by the United States
Congress in February, 1873. So scrupulous
moreover were Her Majesty's government
that United States citizens should enjoy in
the fullest degree the benefits secured to them
under the treaty, that the United States fish,
ermen were admitted to the practical use o
inshore fishing grounds in advance OF forma
legislation.
LeOnarsi's Bloody Shirt Story.
| shreveport Standard
The dispatches this morning report Dis