St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-06-04
HAVE WE A WAR SHIP7
Which Might be Used in Settling tina
Present Canadian Fisheries
Dispute.
Mr.. Edmunds Says the Dolphin Can Swim,
But Not Well Enough to Sat-
isfy Whitney.
The Power to Protect American Com.
merce Rests Solely With the
Executive Department.
A Sensational Yarn from Diebv. ".
--Forty- Thousand Red Coats
Ordered to Halifax.
A Debate In the Senate.

WAsHINGToN; June 3.-Mr. Dawes pre-
sehted petition from the city council of
gloucester, Mass, which was appropriately
referred, praying for retaliation on the Can
adam government for the seizure of Ameri-
can fishing vessels.
Mr. Edmunds said the committee nm for
elgn relations had no power to protect
american commerce or American ciIizens.
Ihat belonged to the executive department
Oh the government and was a part of its
uuIy, under the laws OF the United States
ana tre laws OF nations. If we had any
spirit left, as he thought we had. and anv
strength left, as he thought we had. tboneb
Ior some reason we had not been yery
successful in getting a navy or in arming
our seacoaSt, yet in some way the rights of
the citizens OF the United States would be
Vlndlcated If they had been violated. Con-
tinulng, Mr.. Edmunds said the president. if
ne had signed the recent act of congress ON
tnis SUBJECT, now had the power
10 retaliate for any injustice done
our vessels in Canada or elsewhere
MI. Dawes remarked that it could not have
escaped the observation of the committee
that armed cruisers of the Canadian gov
erhHent were about the waters on the
borders OF the three mile limit" in search
OF American vessels in order that they
iilght, under some pretense or other, seize
lneni, Inc entire absence of any armed
vessel OF the United States in these waters
10 protect our fishermen in the exercise of
lawful commerce, led Mr.. Dawes to inouire
Wnether that absence arose from any lack
OF proper power i'll the premises. He was
aware OF the necessity of proceeding with
caution. There are those engaged in the
business aHected, however, who did not ap-
pfeclate the necessity of delay. but who. if
they could have the assurance of so high an
authority as that of the committee on for
elgn relations that no delay arose from in
dlference, he was quite satisfied they would
nave greater confidence in their cause and
ultimate protection by the government. In
reply, MI. Edmunds said that no legislation
was necessary, unless it might be by the
appropriation OF money. and hardly that,
10 enable the president of the United States,
VINO Is commander-in-chiefo of our armies
and navles, to send out any vessel of the
united states II we happened to have
ONE THAT COULD SWIM.
He (Mr. Edmunds) believed we had one
that could swim-one that had been irving
1or several months to swim and had sue
ceeded every time in swimming, but had
not yet, he believed, succeeded in getting
INTO the service OF the United States. Mr..
Ntt4oliuo PiOSuuicu IL NOulu QOG De cOQSlQ-
cred disco urteous to express the hope that
ship OF the United States government
would in due time appear in the Northern
seas at proper and respectful distance
from the shores of her maiesty's dominion
10 give some little encouragement to Amer
lean citizens engaged in lawful pursuits.
MI. Hale stated the circumstances that gave
rise to to the dispatch received from East
port, Me-, relating to orders said to have
been issued by the Canadian authorities
affecting the herring fisheries of the Cana
dian people, themselves and their business
IN herrlngs with the people of Maine. If
the rumor was correct that the Canadian
authorities had given directions to break I'D
that industry of their own people in the
course they were pursuing, it indicated a
more profound mischief than had been here
totore evinced. Whatever could be done bv
the state department that would bring to
the knowledge not only of the fishermen of
Maine and Massachusetts, but of the people
OF the United States, just what the funda-
mental purpose of the Ottawa government
Was would be benefit to our people. No
question had been before the state DEPART
ment for some time that was more grave
and OF more moment than this question.
Mi. Hale was bound to say that the people
he represented and the people of the United
States generally were looking with anxiety
to see the administration come up to what
mad been the Intention of congress.