Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1880-05-06
IRON the BOSTON Journal.
The Disputed Fisheries.

Now that the British Government has de-
cided not to pay the damages inflicted upon
our fisherman BY the inhabitants Of Fortune
Bay. our government has sufficient reason
to take the most direct steps to abrogaie
that clause Of the Treaty Of Washington
which was designed to protect American
fishermen in prosecuting their ayocation in
British waters The doctrine maintained by
the British government renders IT possible
for the local authorities Of the provinces to
make the advantages which our government
supposed il was securing for our fishermen
of compar atively little value. The Domin-
ion fishing interest has always been hos
tile 10 our fishermen. Treaties and Hall
fax awards seem to make little difference.
The Dominion fisherman does not like the
presence Of his Yankee competitor in that
vicinity. and what is more he does not in
tend to have him there. When, therefore,
the British government declares that the
rights we have purchased under the Treaty
of Washington relative to the fisheries mus;
he subjected 10 local legislation. it has given
our competitors in the business opportunity
TO reader privilege, for which We have paid
a. 800. 900, OF no account. By such an in
depreciation they have given part Of the
British people the authority TO nullify the
treaty. since laws can be devised which
would render it impossible for New Eng
land fisherman 10 prosecute his business in
British waters.
This being the case, our government has
reason to declare the treaty broken and to
give notice that after a certain date il will
proceed TO protect its own interests the same
as If the treaty did not exist. To do this
Congress should as soon as notice is given
the British government, proceed 20 revise
the Law imposing duties upon fish brought
20 our markets by Dominion fishermen A
few wears of this polio, will serve TO con
vince the Jealous Dominion fishermen that a
free market for their ssh in the United
States is worth quite as much as the right
Ia fish in Dominion waters.
Statistics show tina, the Dominion fisher
les have been unusually prosperous the pas,
few wear. because Of the privilege which a
free market in the United States affords.
The revival Of the taria, which will cause
the Dominion interests 10 pay a, least half a
million dollars a wear for duties, NAV bring
II 20 its senses.
Already long time has elapsed since the
attention Of the British Government was
called 20 this matter-so long time, indeed
that no little impotence has been expressed
bv our New England fishing interests and
those in Congress who speak for them. Now
that the British Government. by It's decision.
has practically abrogated the treaty. let Con-
gress and the Administration take prompt
and decided measures. Such measures are
in their nature re,alia;ory. but retaliation
appears TO be the only remedy lcft to US.
Il is quite probable tina; the British Gov
eminent, now that Canada is yery anxious
fx a ne~ treaty of reciprocity with the
United States, is willing TO have the fishery
treaty sbroraied in the hope that the feeling
resulting therefrom Will prevent closer COM
mercial relations between the Dominion and
the United States. We cannot see that any
suspicion that the home Government i. de
sirous of prottinc by temporary ill-feeling
between the Dominion fishermen and the
United State. should deter Congress from
prompt action. TO be compelled TO pay
SJoo.0D0 a wear as duties will have a tend
Sncy 10 bring even the Dominion fishing
interest 10 its senses and TO consider that a
Tree mafhcl lof .s own nsh - quite n
valuable as the privilege Of catching them.
The Dominion needs the markets Of the
United States. a. much rs the United STATE.
needs the trade OF the three million people
Of Canada To shut out the only in,er.s;
tina, no~ thrlves because Of free markets
in the United States will make Canada feel
IT. commercial dependence upon the United
States more than II now does, and makes
il more anniou. 10 make TREATY which shall
be- reciprocal and to keep It's treaty obliga-
tons " hen once made.