The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-29

WASHINGTON.
Report of the Senate Committee on
the Fishery Award.
PAYMENT RECOMMENDED.
Oaustic Criticism on the Conclu-
sions of the Commission.
THE ARMY BILL PASSED In THE HOUSE
Secretary Key to the Southern People
on the Electoral Investigation.
CIVIL WAR THREATENED.
Present Condition OF the APP
preparation Bills.
FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.
THE ARMY BILL PASSED IN THE HOUSE
Secretary Key to the Southern People
on the Electoral Investigation.
CIVIL WAR THREATENED.
Present Condition OF the Ap-
preparation Bills.
FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.

WASHINGTON, May 2S, 1873.
THE FISHERY AWARD AS Regarded BY THE
SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE
INCOMPETENCE OF OUR OWN COMMISSIONER.
The report OF the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
on the fishery will cot be pleasing document
to Sir Alexander Gait and the Canadians II says, IN
tocraby plain language that the unreason-
able amount to q swindle and this the face OF
the fact that Sir Alexander Gait, the British Com
missioner, demanded $15,O0o,00o, or nearly three
times much as the Senate Committee now declares
prepostcrous and cxorbitant
The most significant passage in the report is that In
which the com mttee show that award Of tho King
OF tho Netherlands set aside and disaIowed by
this government In 1927 the grounds MS stated by
Mr. Clay, then Secretary OF State, nat His Majesty
had recommended a mode Of settlements outside OF the
fac,s and terms OF submission" ON this tho commit
tee remark
Had Messrs Calf and Delfosse favored the CON-
mission, and In that way tho United States, with
the grounds on which they based their conclusions
might be shows that they depar ted from the facts
terms Of submission, as did the King Of tho
Netherlands aud the Justice Of our setting aside his
award. promptly and peremptorily. was never
seriously disputed by tho OF Great Britain.
This is pointed al!usion to q fact which has been
much commented on hero that the three Commission
kept record Or protocol OF their deliberations
upon tho awards but sitting with closed doors opened
them only TO mako public the conclusion Of Messrs.
Gait and Dsliosse and the protest OF Mr.. kellogg tho
American Commissioner. This omission was,
OF courso. the FAULT OF the American Commits
sioner. who is universally declared to havc been
mos, incapable person for tho duties 10 per.
form.
If Congress not near adjournment II is pos
sioie tha. motion would be made in the House 10
call up Mr. kellogg and ask him some questions. such
IS whether he made any argument Tor the American
side IN tho Comm ssion beyond bare and brief state
ment that he did not believe the British entitled to
any sum whatever and whether, In fact he took any
trouble Whatever to persuade the other two CommH.
sionsrs either to lower the award or agree upon
sum at ali, and also whether he warned them teiorc
tho award made that IN his judgment award
would DO binding which not agreed to unani-
mously The plain truth about the business, though
perhaps not tho whole truth IL that The Canadians
for whom, and not for Groat Britain. Sir Alexander
Calf, In effect acted preferred TO keep the question
open in the hope that they could thus bring about
= reciprocity treaty, and Mr.. Cats de-
mand for $l5,000,U00 in the commission
probably mere blum game which no hoped
would be an uducement TO our people to grant
iprochy. On the other hand, the American Com
missioner, Mr.. kellogg, without doubt incapa-
BILE person to protect our interests, and when tho
award paid ought to be charged TO the appoint
ment OF such man to represent US In On important
arbitration. II our government, OF political favor
itism chooses TO place Its interests In the hands OF
Incompetent persons have right to cry
out II VIC made 10 suffer for faults. Some
OF the severe language OF the Senate committees
report, therefore. lar as 1t bears Messrs Gait
ana Defosse, is not entirely just We sent man to
attend to our business who did not do So and while
there Is net n shadow OF doubt that the award Is
grossly unjust is also unjust and improper 10 Law
blame entirely upon Mcssrs Calf and Dclfossc and
screen tho incomp etencc OF our own Commissioner