Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1886-12-16

nor refrain from saving. most unworthy ~
should perm any questions OF mutual right
and duty under that convention 10 uSColuS
by neat of local Interests 1t can not but be
the common aim TO conduct all discussion IN
this regard with dignity and in self-respect-
SECURING equal justice rather than equal
thing vii be done by the United States TO
cause their c tizens engaged in fishing 70
conform to lie obligations OF the treaty ana
TO prevent an attraction OF the nshinZ avs OF
the Brit sh provinces: but it = equaily heces-
sary that ordinary commerce al intercourse
should not be interrupted by harsh measures
and unfr.endly administration
II have the honor, therefore. 10 invite =
frank express on of your views upon inc SUD-
ject believing that should any differences OF
opinion or disagreement as to facts exists,
they Will be FOUND To be so minlmiLed that
an accord can he established for the fuit pro
lection or the inshore fisheries of the B3tssh
provinces without obstructing the open sea
fishing operations of the citizens OF the nj
ted states, or sturbng the trade resula-
tons now subsistinR between the countries
Under date of November g, Secretary
Bayard advises Minister Phelps or Inc
seizure of the Marion Grimes and the en-
forced lowering of the American nag oy
Captain Quigley, of the Canadian cruiser
Terror In commenting on this case the
Secretary says:
1t seems hardly necessary TO say that ii is
not until after condemnation by prize
court that the national nag OF a vessel selzed
a prize of war is hauled down by her cap
Scr. But fortiori is this principle TO Apply
in cases of customs eZures where nnes oniy
are imposed, and whore no Obell eerency
whatever exists. In the port or New YORK
and others of the countless harbors OF the
United States. are merchant vessels To-Day
flying the British flag. which. from time TO
time, are liable to penalties for VOCATION OF
custom laws and regulations But have yet
to learn that any official assuming. directly
or indirectly. TO. represent the Government
OF the Tn ted States. would under such CIR
cumstances order down or forciDly maui
down the British flag from a vessel charger
with such irregu iarty; and now 1 assert
that II such acts were committed this Gov
ernmeft, after be ny Informed OF il, would
not wait for complaint from Great Britain
par par Su Concerned %s n such nnisconduct and
would cause the proper expression OF regret
to be made
Under date of June 81, Minister Phelps
addressed a communication to the Earl OF
ROsebery. protesting IN the name OF the
United States Government, against the
seizures made by the Canadians, as wholly
unwarranted by tae treaty of 1918, request
ing the release of the vessel, and informing
him that the United StatesowOuld hold her
Majesty's Government responsible for all
losses sustained by American citizens. grow
ing out of the seizures. The question
now is" says Minister Phelps. mot
what fresh treaty may or might be desirable,
but what is the tr9e and just construction,
as between the two nations, of the treaty
that already exists. 1.-The Government OF
the United States approaching this ques-
ton in the most friendly spirit, can not
doubt that it will be met by her Majesty's
Government in the same spirit, and feels
every confidence that the action OF her
Majesty's Government in the premises will
be such as to mainta n the cordial relations
between the two countries that lave so
long happily preVaiied.'o
The correspondence closes with letter
from Minister Phelps to Earl Rosebery, gin
which he combats the position taken by the
Earl tlGt0 her Majesty's Government can
not take action in the matter of the seiZ-
sures, because the Canadian courts are con-
sidering all the cases In dispute. Mr.. PhelsGs
maintains that the United States must look
to the home Government for redress and
satisfaction and for such Instructions TO the
colonial authorities as will prevent future
seizures. He Suggests. as means OF pre-
venting further collisions between the
American fishermen and CANADIAN officials
that an ad interim construction of the terms
of the existing treaty be reached by mutual
consent to be carried out informally until q
more permanent understanding be reached.