Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-04-30
From the Boston Journal
The Disputed Fisheries

Now that the British Government has de-
cided not to paw the damages inflicted upon
our fishermen by the inhabitants OF Fortune
Bav. our government has sufficient reason to
take the most direct steps to abrogate that
clause of the Treaty Of Washington which
was designed to protect American fishermen
in prosecuting their avocation in British wa
tiers. The doctrine maintained by the Brit
ish government renders i possible for the To-
cal authorities of the provinces to make the
dyantages which our government supposed
it was securing for our fishermen Of compar-
atively little value. The Dominion fishing
interest has always been hostile to our f1sh-
ermen. Treaties and Halifax awards seem
to make little difference The dominion
fisherman does not like the presence OF MS
Yankee competitor in that vicinity, and wnat
is more he does not propose to have MN
there. When, therefore, the British govern
ment declares that the rights we have pur-
chased under the Treaty Of Washington rel
alive 10 the fisheries must be subjected TO To-
cal legislation, it has given our competitors
in the business opportunity to render privi-
lege for which we have paid $500, 900 OF no
account BY such an Interpretation they
have given a part of the British people the
authority to nullfy the treaty, since laws
can be devised which would render it impos-
sible for New England fisherman to pros
ecute his business in British waters.
This beipg the case, our government mas
reason to declare the treaty broken and to
give notice that after certain date 1t VIII
proceed 70 protect its own interestst the same
as if the treaty did not exist. To do this.
Congress should, as soon as notice Is gwen
the British government, proceed to revise the
law imposing duties upon fish brought to our
markets by Dominion fishermen. a few
years Of this policy will serve to convince
the Jealous Dominion fishermen that free
market for their fish in the United States Is
worth quite as much as the right to fish in
Dominion waters.
Statistics show that the Dominion fisheries
have been unusually prosperous the past few
years because Of the privilege which free
market in the United States affords. The re-
yival of the tariff, which will cause the Do
minion interests to pay at least half million
dollars a year for duties, may bring it to its
senses.
Already long time has elapsed since the
attention of the British Government was
called to this matter-so long time, indeed
that no little Impotence has been expressed
by our New England fishing interests and
those in Congress who speak for them. Now
that the British Government, by its decision
has practically abrogated the treaty, let Con-
gress and the Administration take prompt and
decided measures. Such measures are in
their nature retaliatorv, but retaliation ap-
pears to be the only remedy left to us.
1t is quite probable that the British Gov
eminent, now that Canada is very anxious for
a new treaty of reciprocity with the United
States, is willing to have the fishery treaty
abrogated in the hope that the feeling result
ing therefrom will prevent closer commercial
relations between the Dominion and the Uni
ted States We cannot see that any susplc-
ion that the home Government is desirious
of profiting by temporary ill-feeling between
the Dominion fishermen and the United
States should deter Congress from prompt
action. To be compelled to pay 100000 a
year as duties will have a tendency to bring
even the Dominion fishing interest to its
senses and to consider that a free market for
its own fish is quite as valuable as the privi-
Iege of catching them. The Dominion needs
the markets of. the United States needs the
trade of the three million people of Canada.
To shut out the only interest that now thrlves
| because of free markets in the United States
will make Canada feel its commercial de-
pendence upon the United States more than
it now does, and make it more anxious to
make a treaty which shall be reciprocal and
to keep its treaty obligations when once
made