Morning journal and courier., 1886-05-22
News by Telegraph FROM ALL QUARTERS. THE LAWS OF CANADA Not Against The Buying
 Of Bait. THE FIRST GUN IN THE EAST. Fighting On The Greek
 Frontier. THE PAk-ELECTRIc INQUIRY. An Interesting Pair On
 The stand.
THE PAk-ELEcTRIc MQUIRI
BUYING BAIT NO DEFENSE.

The dams Not Guilty Under Present Laws-The Fishermen Greatly Arous- ed over the S1tuatiOn.
 OTTAWA, May 21.-The department has re- ceived the official report from Captain Scott of the Lansdowne of the seizure of the David J. Adams. It confirms previous advices re- ceived by telegraph. The fact appears to be that the vessel, even if it be proved that she was buying bait, cannot under existing laws be held answerable for such contraventiou of international agreement. The law providing for the seizure of foreign vessels is so word ed that buying bait is not an ofense under it. The Hon. Peter Mitchell, ex-minister of marines and fisheries, who prepared the leg islation under which the seizure was presum- ably made purposely omitted the buying of bait from the list of offenses. believing that bait should be regarded as an article of com merce and the buying of bait as commercial transaction. The seizure of the Adams has opened the eyes of the government to the weak points in the law under which it was made and bill amending that law has been hurried through the House, having passed it's third reading to-day. It will probably pass the Senate and become law within week. The old act provides for the seizure of any foreign ship, vessel or b oat which has been found fishing preparing to ship within the limit; the amendment adds the following words referring to punishable of lenses:
 Or which has tered such waters for any pur- pose permitted by the law of nations or by con vention or treaty or by any law of the United or having entered such waters, has failed to com ply with any such law of the United Kingdom or of Canada.
 The wording has the effect of mak- ing the buying of bait an of fense, since it is 8 contravention of the terms of treaty. The Adams may of of course be held to answer for breach of Canada's revenue laws, but the prosecution will hardly make much out of the charge of buying bait.
 ST. JOHNS, N. B., May 21.-The steamer Lansdowne arrived in port this evening hay ing in tow the new cruiser Terror which was recently launched at Shelburne, N. s. The Terror is smart little craft of eighty tons, has two topmasts and carries an immense spread of canvass. She is ready for sea and when she receives arms, crew and provisions will start on the war path. The Middleton is still here; but will probably be sent to sea in day or two.
 PORTLAND, Me, May 21.-The excitement in regard to the fishing trouble is unabated. The board of trade and city government
 
 are much longer delayed there will be mass meeting at City Hall and perhaps that meet ing will be held in any case. Around the stores of the fish dealers there was gathered this afternoon almost every man who is in terested in the fishing industry. To these men the settlement of the questions now in dispute is 8 matter of bread and butter, but not man expressed desire to see com mission appointed or to have the hated treaty renewed. There was considerable bitter talk in regard to the colonial schooner. Alert, now loading here with bait. Other schoon- CTS of like character and on the same errand will not be very warmly received here. At the head of Long Wharf. has been placed an old cannon that did service in the war of 1S12-14. The gun has been placalded as follows:
 'Fishermen, attention! Arm and protect your selvesl This cannon for sale. Inquire within
 This novel spectacle attracts hundreds to the spot. Even Governor Robie and some members of his staff were among the visiting crowd. But graver things occupy the minds of the owners of the six hundred Maine yes sels Said one of the largest owners: There is not a single man firm but that dreads to see messenger boy. We are all dreading to hear that we've lost a vessel" There is no news yet of the Ella Maud, said to have been seized by the Canadians