Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-07-22
rKn r1sHaRrss oussrloN.
Secretary Bayard States the Case
wherc the Responsibility ncIOngs.

Wnerc the AkotpOnhtbutty totOuEss
Special TO the New York World
wAsHrNoToN, July n. Secretary
Bayard is keeping very close eye upon
the question Of the fisheries. He has
already addressed full and ample insiruo-
tons TO Minister Phelps to demand full
satisfaction for all injuries done. He has
Just written another letter TO tho British
minister here calling hisintention TO Con
gressman Boutelle's recent letter upon the
subject Prior to 1866 treaty existed
between Great Britain and the United
States under which the Canadians and our
citizens enjoyed the most friendly rela-
tions. Canadian and American fishermen
fshed side by side, and sold their fish
either in Canada or the United States, az
il suited their convenience. Upon the
expiration OF the terms Of this treaty the
Americans declined 90 continue their
friendly intercourse with their Canadian
brethren, prohibited the latter from fish
| ing in American waters and exaoted from
them duty upon all the fish they
brought into the United States. The
Canadians naturally felt grieved by this
action. In attempting to establish a
| dividing line between the United States
and the Cnnadas, there has always beon n
dispute as 20 whether the line should be
drawn from headland to headland or
| whether the indentations of the shore
should be followed. This question has
never been determined and il in dispute
to-day.
After the United States had inaugurated
the system OF taxing Canadian fishermen,
and the treaty of 1865 had expired, the
Canadian authorities decided 10 tax Amer,
lean fishing vessels fishing in Canadian
waters 81 pr ton. The ncxt year the
Tux was increased to 80 and the third
year il was raised to t3. Under this rate Of
taxation tho relations between the United
States and the Canadian fishermen were
undisturocd, hut ia the next year and
a-half complications arose which resulted
in tho adoption OF another treaty between
the United States and Great Britain, il
1872, which was to expire after twelve
years. This latter treaty expired in 1855
and when the present administration cam,
into power there WINS no treaty or Law
bearing upon this subject All Of thts,
, facts, says Secretary Bnyard, were vel
known to the country and also that tn
| Republican party retired from power
without attempting to protect the Ameri
| can fishermen.
As soon as the present administrator
came into power the New England fisher
. men, OF their representatives., poured int
l Washington with appeals for protectio
2 for their fishing interests. AS Secretar
9 Of the State he communicated the situu
: ton TO the Senate and proposed the NJ
: pointmeni OF n commission to 0rbitrate o
f the subject. This proposition the Reput
!, lican Senate refused TO consider. IN
e appeals of the American fishermen weT
+ no loud and long that Mr.. Bayard, atte
e consultation with the British minister, ~
]. cured concession from the Canadian az
thorities under which the American tshe
e men were permitted 70 finish their seaso
# undisturhed until the spring OF the preser
}, year. This whole controversy might hay
y been avoided had the Senate acted upo
! the suggestion Of the State Departmei
Y and consented to frame treaty bearin
upon the fisheries question.
4 Mr.. Bayard says be proposes that h
II com rymen shall know all the facts
i the case, so they may place the respons
1t bihty where il properly belongs.
Il asserts with great oarnestness that Il
Republican party in Congress has us,
VN'FJ Hletun ~ ltH FOWSi " opsNuNt u