Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-12-09
THE FISHING DISPUTE.
Canadians Charge Senator Frye With Pre-
venting "A Settlement.

Canadians Charge Senator Frye With Pre-
venting Settlement.
MONTREAL, December S.-Presldent
Cleveland's message to Congress continues
to be the leading topic Of conversation In
official circles aud comes in for conisdera-
BILE favorable as well as unta-
vorable comment The references
ofthe President to the action OF
Canadian officials comes in for special dis
cussion. The Hon. Mr.. Foster, Minister
of Marine and Fisheries, speaking OF the
message said: IL infer from IA glance at the
document that President Cleveland Is dis
appointed in his efforts to Securea satistac-
tory settlement of the fishery question. His
disappointment is certainly not the result OF
anv action taken by Canada adverse to q
desired settlement. In order to bring
about such a settlement, the Canadian
| Government allowed American citizens all
the privileges of the Washington treaty
from the lst of July, 1885, to the 3lst OF
December of the same year, and asked in
return that the President should recon-
mend the establishment of mixed commits
sion, which should, if possible, negotiate
sat isfactOry arrangements as regards both
| fisheries and improved trade relations.
| During that six months Americans had
| the free use of our fisheries, while Cana
dians were met in the United States by
the imposition of old duties dating from
| 1881.
G.TrL, D,,.;lnnf - ,asnp,al fha MiniSt
Fulfilled his part Of the agreement and
recommended an agreement, and 1t was
not on account of any action of the Cana
dian Government that a commission was
not appointed. The cause of the present
condition of affairs is Senator Frye, who
| introduced into the Senate a motion,
which was carried by majority OF two to
one, declaring, in effect, that the United
States wished no change made, either
with reference to the fishing question or
reciprocal trade relations. Similar feel
| ing was manifested in the House of Rep
resentatives. After this authoritative
declaration the President could not ap.
point commission. So far clearly the
fault was not on the part of the Canadian
Government or Canadian fisher
men. L ne Sdlldudn OONSIlluSue was hoI
lacking in giving fair warning that the law
would be enforced. From May to November
the treaty of lSlS has been enforced with all
possible courtesy and consideration consis-
tent with firmneSs. American fishing YES
sells have been seized for fishing within the
limits and for preparing to fish therein. One
has been condemned by the courts aftera
fair trial and a confession OF guilt by the
captain himself Two other vessels are still
before the courts. and every facility has
been offered the defendants to make good
their case. Numerous seizures also took
place for violation of our customs regula-
ton. In no case has the department erred
on the side of rigOr or OverstrictneSs.
"That we have not commission sitting
to-day" concluded Mr.. Foster, is entire
| " due to the action of the United States
Senate The Government of Canada has
always been, and is still, desirous of COM
ing to an amicable and just arrangement
with the American Government on the
fishery question, while at the same time,
we have not proposed, and do not now
propose to abate one single iota OF the
rights of Canada rs secured by the solemn
treaty between the United States and
Great Britain