The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-05-30

Canadian government fitted out fleets of
swift cruisers which fitted along the coast,
ostensibly for the purpose of protecting the
rights Of Canadian fishermen, but really for
the purpose of abridging the rights of Amer
lean fishermen. American vessels that had
the misfortune to be sailing within the three
mile limit were seized on the most 1imsy of
pretexts and condemned by the local courts
on pretexts fimser still. By the British
statute of 1919 preparing to fish, withou!
any actual fishing, was decreed to be a VIC
lation of the treaty, and the local courts
worsed this statute for all it was worth.
The most trivial circumstantial evidence was
sufficient to make out case of preparing
to fish," vessel lying to, with her jib
drawn to wind-ward was held 20 be prepar-
ing to fish. So also was a vessel with fresh
mackerel scales upon her deck, though there
was no other evidence. Buying bait on
shore by vessel going to the Grand Banks
was also held as proof of preparing to fish
within the three mile limit. The proceeding
being against the vessel and not against the
owner or skipper the burden of proof was
thrown u on the owners of the seized YES
sci to establish the innocence of the vessel,
thing which it was exceedingly difficult to
do, as the captors were always on hand TO
give testimony while vessels in company
with the seized fisherman at the time of the
alleged offence had sailed away before the
seizure, which was generally made several
days subsequent to the offenc !, aud the testi-
mony of their crews could not be had.
The shelter clause of the treaty was vir-
tually nullifed by the local authorities who
claimed the right to say how long the shell
ter should continue and to, order the vessels
out OF port, and frequently did order them
out even in the face of gale of wind.
There is abundant evidence that these
outrages are to be renewed as soon
as the Washington treaty expires.
The Canadian Government is already
preparing cruisers which are without
doubt to pursue the same course that their
predecessors followed. In view of this pros
pect, the American Fishing Exchange have
addressed a memorial to the President re-
questing him to take measures to maintain
the treaty rights of our fishermen, The mem
orial says the fishermen are perfectly williog
to conform to the provisions of the treaty.
What they object to is the abridgement of
lis provisions by British statutes or by reg
ulations of the local authorities, without
the consent of the United States. The prin-
cipal means of protection which the memoir
ial suggests is the sending of fleet of light
draft cruisers to accompany the fishermen,
prevent their seizure onnide of the three
mile Limit and In case of seizure within the
three mile limit to be CD hand to aid the
captain in procuring evidence and to see
that there is fair trial Of the case. It can
not admit Of doubt that 1t is the duty of
the Government TO take some measures to
prevent a recurrence of the outrages
OF the past along the Provincial shores,
aud the suggestions Of the memorial
demand careful attention because they are
made by men thoroughly familiar with all
the facts