New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-06-19
NEW PHASE OF TIE FISHERIES DISPUTE.
MODIFICATION IN TIE DOMINION CIRCULAR TO TIE


COLLECTORS n NOVA SCOTIA
HALIFAX, June is (SpccodO.-Great interest
here in the reported backhown of Cinada on the
extreme position taken the fishery quesiionepecaly
In vigorously denying all commercial privileges TO
American fishermen. reporter of THE TRIBUNE
called on Collector Ross to-day and asked TO be shown
copy his instructions from the Fishery Department
at Ottawa The collector refused the grounds that
it would OF the rules OF the department to
make public any instructions Of confidential nature.
He also declined 10 make statement OF his own views
OF his duties consequent upon the receipt Of
his Instructions, but admitted that he was III
correspondence with Consul-General Phelan and the
Ottawa authorities the new question raised.
prominent fisherman, who thoroughly understands the
whole matter and has exceptional facilities for obtain
ing Dside information stated that the Dominion Gov
ernment had petey changed trout. lie gave 1t as
his opinion that Collector Ross himself would not dare
to seize American fisherman were one III Halifax
Harbor to day buying bait, shipping men, obtaining
other supplies even transhipplug cargo without at
first receiving positive Instructions from Ottawa On
May Mr.. Johnston, Commissioner OF Customs at OF
tawa with the Official warning to fishermen. Issued
confidential circular giving extracts from the Treaty of
lels tue Imperial and Dominion laws concluding with
this paragraph:
Having reference to the above. you requested to
furnish foreign fishing vessels boats or fishermen found
purposes than those OF shelter aud repairing dam
age purchasing wood and of obtaining water, with
se boat is found fishing, preparing TO fish, vioa
ing provisions OF the Convention Of 1918 by shipping
supplies trading, or hoyerng within the three
mile limit does not depart within twenty-iour hours
after receiving such warning Will place officer
such vessel and telegraph tho fact TO
The Fishery Department at Ottawa and await instruc-
tlons
Now on May H. circular with the Same date OF May
7 marked "No 3l7-Conhdentia" was sent out
from tho same department and with II
private note to collectors instructing
them destroy. cancel the former circular OF the
same number its not being used, and 10
substitute iD Its place the sent herewith. which
concludes as follows:
Having reference to the above you requested to
foreign fishing vessels boats fishermen found
within three miles OF the shore within your dis
trct with printed copy OF % The Warning " inclosed
herewith. II any fishing vessel boat Of the United
Is found fishing, or To have been fishing pre-
pairing to fish, or If lowering within the threcmilo
limit does not depart within twenty hours after
YOU will please place officer board such vessel
ana telegraph the facts to the Fishery Depart
ment at Ottawa and await Instructions.
II will be that the later circular entirely omts all
reference to American fishing vessels beng In
Canadian waters for other purposes than those Of
shelter and repairing damageS OF purchasing wood and
obtaining water, such violating the provisions OF
the Convention OF 1918 by shipping men or supplies or
trading and the inference Ia that all American fishing
vessels get all the supplies bait and men they
qure In Canadian ports provided they obtain 1t within
twenty four hours.
OTTAWA June ls-There Is no truth In the statement
that the given tho enforcement Of the
Treaty of 1918 respecting the fisheries have been CAN
Cellcd.