Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-07-16

readily obtain from it, own officers on the
frontier and all Canadian ports such authori-
tative knowledge of these violations of in
ternational rights as may be requisite for .
prompt, firm and effective protest on the
part Of the United States. Although no &C
curate estimate can be formed at present OF
the direct and indirect losses entailed upon
citizens of the United States through the
damage to our fishery interests by the harass-
| ing seizures and other interferences and in
dignities to which our vessels have been sub
jecsed during the past year by the authorities
of the British Provinces. that the Losses will
be very heavy and result 10 great hardship to
la most worthy class of our citizens does not
admit of doubt. Our government certainly
should he able to secure tor our fishermen
and other citizens Who may seek Canadian
ports the ordinary rights and privileges OF
commercial intercourse that prevail among
civilized nations, and it is not strange that
many of our people are becoming impatient
of delay in he application of remedy for
the evils so justly complained Of.
Ii is humiliating to our national pride that
| our hardy fishermen and citizens engaged In
| legitimate trade should be chased out of the
ports of a neighboring country and have
| their vessels captured on frivolous pretexts
| by so called CRUISERS" of British colony.
| duu Ills OCSomSS ceSS'~iAsASA
grie, ance when important industries are OBJ
srracted and vessels thus seized are con-
demned or subjected TO heavy exactions in
the shape of penalties and fines, while the
operations of large fleets are abandoned or
paralyzed by the uncertainty whether their
country's flag will afford them any protection
in the pursuit of their arduous and honora-
bic calling. And this Notwithstanding the
fact that Canadian fishermen are permitted
to find ia the United States a principal and
profitable market for many million dollars
worth of their catch.
There is abundant reason to believe that
the rumors growing more and more current
in regard TO the alleged tendency of negotia-
tions looking to a renewal in some form of
the abrogated and one-sided treaty have Gre
ated an impression among our people that
adds greatly to the popular uneasiness upon
this subject. There is also a strong belief
that the prevalence of similar impression
among the Canadians has largely stimulated
an aggressive policy intended to bring US to
terms satisfactory to them. This impression
has not been lessened on either side of the
border by the remarkable forbearance main
tanned by our government in the face of the
systematic and exasperating crusade against
our fishermen by the Canadian authorities.
and the public demand for some effective as
sertion of the commercial rights of the peo-
pie of the United States is fast becoming
unanimous and imperative.
l think there can be no mistake as to the
very general feeling among our people that
ample occasion has been furnished for the
President to exercise the powers conferred
upon him by the act of June 10 last, to with
hold from the vessels of a foreign power the
privilege which it persistently denies to ours.
And if the President is not already clothed
with sufficient authority there is no doubt that
Congress will be disposed to promptly
strengthen his HANDS in any way that may be
shown to be necessary to render effective our
protest against the disrespect to our flag and
the violations our own commercial rights.