New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-12-10
rux FISHERIES CORR ySpoyDENCE

The Diplomatic correspondence respecting
the fisheries outrnges is a series of cautious re-
monstrances on one side and of polite evasons
ON Che other. As one vessel after another was
seized by the Canadian authorities the State
Department reviewed the law bearing upon
the case, and protested against the unwsrranted
treatment of American fishermen; and the
British Government, with unvarying courtesy,
acknowledged the receipt of the remOnstrances,
and deferred until more convenient season
deliberate consideration of the matters at
issue. Secretary BayaId's presentation of the
law and the facts is logical and cogent; the
literary style of his correspondence is admirable
for lucidty and directness; but his tone ia that
of a statesman who, while trying hard to be
resolute and firm, feels that he has been forced
into a hopeless contest. Even 81 inexcusab'e
an affront "a the enforced lowering OF the
American flag by Captain Quigley, of the
cruiser Terror, is discussed with studied mod
Grafton and sef-restraint The recurrence OF
outrores does not heat his blood nor invgorate
his remopstrances 1t only increases his mean
choly apprehensiOns of international strife.
He has the best of the argument throughout
naturally, rs it il a controversy with only one
side--but he writes like statesman who ia
unconscious of the strength OF his pos ton and
secretly fnvors a compromise. Lord Rosebery
and Sir Lionel West could not answer his
arguments :; they could only hide behind the
Canadian ficals and evade the real questions
at issue: but they knew their man. They lost
no oppo, tuniy of dangling before his eyes the
scheme for an international tribunal, which no
had favored but which the Senate had rejected.
g., IF ha
which will grallfs self-respectng Americans.
One is the clearness and legal acumen with
which the position of the United States Gov
eminent is set forth by Secretary Bdyarh and
especially by Mr.. Phelps. The American
Minister gives an epitOme OF the Whole con-
troversy in this admirable sentence: 1t seems
to me impossible 20 escape the conclusion that
this and other similar seizures were made by
the Canadian authorities for the deli oerate
purpose OF harasslng and embarrassing the
American fishing vessels in the pursuit OF their
lawful employment; and the injury, when
would have been serious one II committed
under mistake, is very much aggravated 10y
the motives which appear TO have prompted
it," Mr.. Phelps dispOses of the question when
he demonstrates that the real OBJECT OF the
States to modify their customs law and open
q market for Nova Scotia fishermen. In order
to accomplish this purpose treaty law is abro-
gated. commercial rights are denied. the
American Gag is dIshonored and outrage after
outrage is justified.
The other commendable feature of this corre-
spondence ia the fact that every protest by the
State Department has been accompanied by
hot fin fin al man
sation ia expected for the unwarrantable action
of the Canadian authorities. Secretary Bayard
himself suggests that Congress shall create
tribunal OF commission with which records Of
losses and injuries can be- filed for presentation
TO the British Government for settlement.
With the exception of Mr.. Phelpss proposal
for an ad interim construction" Of the Treaty
of 1918 by the two Governments. this is the
only practical recommendation which the Adj
minstrati0n offers tn Congress in relation to
the fisheries dispute. The commission may
prove a useful agency In the collection Of legal
claims against the British Government. But
neither the fling OF the bills nor the appoint
ment of the commission will deter the Canadian
officials from repeating next eeason their depre
datiops upon the American fishing feet. Some
thing in addition to diplomatic agreements and
menaces of pecuniary clai ms for direct damages
il required in order to bring those officials to
their senses. The President was armed by
Congress with an adequate weapon for de-
Tending American fisheries. 1t was
summary power of retaliation on Ca
madam vessels in American ports for the
insults and indignities to which American
fishermen have been subjected in Canadian
ports. The Secretary Of State and the Amer
Ican Minister in London are good lawyers
they make out very strong case they write
we'll. But action rather than diplomatic writing
is needed. Why has the Administration
neglected to use the powers with which it was
armed by COngressi