National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-05-22
Is Il Fish, Wight, or Fun?

Every person who is acquainted with the
art Of coast fishing now employed in the
Canadian, waters is aware that bait is no
more used by the inshore fishermen, but
that small nets have for some time super
seeded the batting process.
Bait is now used only In deep water fish
Ing. This proves that the captain of the
Doughty intended to use his bait only
where 1t could properly he used IN deep
water, and in deep water American fisher
men have a right to ply their trade. He
had right to buy bait, and because he
bought it, the charge that he intended to
use 1t inshore, where. 1t Is no more en-
ployed, is ridiculous. This leaves only
one ground for the seizure, aud that is, the
captain may have failed to observe strictly
the customs regulations Of the port. On
this point, however, nothing definite is
known. So the matter stands thus: The
Doughty sought refuge In st. AIMS bay on
account of the ice. She was Immediately
seized by the overzealous authorities, and
is now held captive. This is the true sit
uRtlon, and owing to the bitter feeling and
fighting disposition Of the New England
fishermen We are free to say that it is n
grave one. 1t is q matter which calls for
immediate action on the part Of our gov
crnment. Prompt and effective measures
to secure the rights, not only OF the Adams
and Doughty, but OF the three thousand
men now plying their trade in northern
waters mu be taken.
There seems TO be only one strong post
tion to take, and that is for the Secretary of
State to firmly insist that her majesty's
government shall at once bring TO an end
the unwarranted assumption of power on
the part Of her colonial children, and that
the Canadian authorities DO made to fully
understand that the treaty of 1918 and all
subsequent commercial arrangements hay
ing been negotiated by Great Britain and the
| United States, the latter government will
under no circumstances permit any OF the
British colonies to interpret that treaty or
attempt to construe the meaning of any
commercial arrangement which may sub
sequently have been made.
As far as the public knows, our govern
ment has received nothing authorltatlvely
concerning the position of her majesty's
| BUVtTunenJ III lut iuHJIeIi anu has nc
knowledge OF the assumed position Of the
Canadian authorities except what has been
demonstrated by their overt acts, which, IN
the absence OF any additional information
from the British government, ought and
must be held by the United States as an In
fringement Of treaty rights and gross
usurpation Of power.
This position must be respected, because
It is impregnable. 1t is impregnable be
cause 1t is backed by many precedent:
which have occurred during the past few
years, where the British government
promptly repudiated the position taken by
the colonial authorities In eases similar tt
the one in question, and thus her majesty'i
government gave evidence that 1t enter
tanned then the same views In regard to
the spirit OF the treaty and the rights Of
the American fishermen which our govern
ment must now firmly insist upon If It de
sires to respect the popular will of the ma
ton, and firmly maintain our rights.