New-York tribune., 1886-05-23
THE FISHERY IROUBLE.


1t has not been easy to speak with patience OF
the deliberate action OF our Government regard
ins the seizure of American fishing schooners
by the Canadian authorities. Whether any
other Government called civilized thus hcsitates
to defend the rights of its citizens when they
are assailed by Il foreign Power may be doubted.
Certainly no Government will long be t)lcr-
ated by the American people which so ignores
their ii shts and its duties. Secretary Bayard's
letter to Senator Frye in relation to the refusal
of the Dominion authorities to allow the
schooner Jennie and Julia to purchase herring
at Digby indicates that he has been at last
aroused to action. The case was commented
upon in yesterdays issue, and we are glad to
learn that the State Department considers it 4
gross breach of American commercial rights.
Secretary Bayard assures the Senator that he is
acting with vigor and success. We certainly
hope
1t is believed by the people of Maine and
Massachusetts, who are most deeply interested
in the subject, that the American vessels
which have been seized by the Canadian au-
thcrities had done no wrong, and that their
seizure is therefore an outrage from which any
civilized Government should instantly defend
its people. a meeting at Portland on Wcdnes-
day, at which the business men of the city were
largely represented, expressed these opinions
in strong resolutions. 1t is shown, moreover,
that similar seizure of an American schooner,
the White Fawn, of Gloucester, resulted in
litigation and in a decision by the admiralty
court of New BrunSwIck in 1871, in which
it was held that the vessel se'zel could not be
presumed to have violated the law by fishing
within the three-mile limit mcrely because
bait had been purchased, and the vessel aud all
on board were released and restored to the
owners. If this decision of a British court is
not binding upon British officials who now
insist upon different view of the law. il must
al least serve as proof that the American mas
ters believed they were within their rights and
are therefore entitled to the prompt and vigor-
Ous protection of the Government. In the Gaze
of the Ella NJ. Doughty. the facts appear TO
render the seizure peculiarly offensive The
vessel was forced into port by ice. and after
remaining three days was only seized as it was
about to put ont to sea. The captain, who is
said to be a most worthy and upright man
spoke out the bitterness with which great
many regard the conduct of the Government.
and sald Perhaps my grandchildren may re-
| never shall" For the captain aud the owners
there is present and perhaps rulnous loss
while their Government does nothing to
defend their rights.
1t is inevitable that this sort of thing cannot
long continue Already American vessels are
arming themselves, and the news may come
at any hour of f,rcble resistance to the pre-
tended authority of British officials When
actual conflict has begun, it will be exceedingly
difficult foI the Government to adjust the
matter satisfactorily. But the Issue caunot be
avoided in any way. if the Administration per-
sists in acting if the sole duty of the Secre-
tary of State were 20 draw his pay and cult
vate pleasant social relations with British
Minister West. If we nave an American in
stead of British Administration and of this
We cannot be until the official corre-
spondence is pubished-there will soon be
something done to defend the rights of Amer
lean citizens.