Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1886-05-25
yR. BarARD 10 MR.. FRYE.
some Important Light Thrown on the Heated
Fisheries Controversy

tDhioNttSg'
Prom the Baltimore sun.
Mr.. BAYARD TO MIR. FRYE The
Fisheries C0RtrorerSy.-It has been re-
peatedly intimated by partisan papers that
the state department, if not actually derelict
in taking up the fishery troubles with
Canada, has at last moved sluggishly with
regard to il. Mr.. Frye who has been active
in the Senate in defense OF the alleged rights
of the New England fishermen, and has eN-
pressed great indi nation at the course of the
Canadian authorities in their recent seizures
ofAmerican fishing vessels, seems to have
deemed it his duty to question Mr. Bayard
on the subject. Mr.. Frye assumes - that
the state department " is giving the matter
such conside ration a. its importance de-
mands,h declares that the urgency of i'm
mediate action cannot be overestlmated, y and
denounced the conduct Of the Canadians as
" entirely unjustiiable." Secretary Bay
ards reply OF the same date ought To set Mr..
Frye's mind at ease. The latter is assured
that the department. at the first notification
of the refusal TO allow the schooner Jennie
and Julia TO purchase herring for
smoking at Dighy, had promptly taken
steps TO ascertain all the facts, and,
with equal prOmptness had made
representations to the British minister
looking to the calling to account of the col
lectOr OF customs at the Canadian port of
DIgby for what Mr.. Bayard considers "a
gross breach ot the commercial rights of a
citizen of the United States" With respect
to the seizure of the two fishing vessels for
buying bait in the waters of Canada, in CON
traventiOn OF the law OF that province, the
investigation of the facts has been proceed
ing slowly, not from any dilatOriness on the
part of the state department, but because
of the remOteUe-s OF the localities and the
want of facilities for postal communication,
and the consequent delay in receiving the
consular reports. To Mr.. Frye's ''assump-
| ton" that the department is acting with a
knowledge OF the importance OF the matter
to which the attention OF the secretary has
| been called, Mr.. Bayard answers with an en-
phasis which looks like "A rebuke: II trust, "
he says, 81 am properly conscious OF my Cuty
as an official charged with the execution of
delicate and important public functions, and
that the interests and honor OF my country
and the rights of its citizens will not he found
| TO have suffered at my hands" Mr.. Bayard's
| reply TO Senator Frye is All effective answer
also to the criticisms OF Mr.. Blaine and Sem
ator Logan, who, though perfectly aware of
the necessity the state department was
under of proceeding with decent delibera =
ton, thought TO make some party capital out
OF its seeming delay. As their remarks APP
peared the same day with the secretary 8
demonstration of his ability in looking after
| the rights of American citizens, the defeated
presidential candidates are put in a rather
| ridiculous position. This whole question of
| the fisheries between Canada and the United
| the treaties that have been made on the sub
| iect have simply had the effect of a tenn por-
| ary adj ustment OF a controversy that will
| never be brought to an end until the fishery
| rights OF both parties are clearly defined
| and agreed to in terms that shall leave no
cause for jealousy on the one hand or the
assumption OF unjust privileges on the
| other The treaty OF reciprocity made be-
| tween the two countries on the principle OF
| mutual concessions satisfied neither The
| New England and other border states com.
planned that Canada reaped an undue ad,
vantage from 1t, while Canada protested that
| obstacles were thrown in the way of her trade
with the states. AT present Canada falls back
| upon the only treaty bearing upon the sub
iect. that Of ISIS, which, il is held, fOrbids the
| purchase OF bait at Canadian landings. Tn,
| present controversy grows out Of the claIu
set up by the American fishermen, nOtwilh
standing the treaty OF isis, to a right of trad
| lug with any Canadian port, subject only
| 20 the customs duti's in inrce--a righ
| which would include the purchase o
bait by our fishing vessels, or o
herring for smoking, the refusal to allow
which Mr., Bayard prUnOunces "a gros
| breach Of the commercial rights Of ciGlZeI
Of the United Sia'es.N Tho Canadians " h(
have a large interest at stake, naturally de
cline To recognize the Identity recently dis
covered 10y the New Euglauders oI the mer
chanIuIan and fishing vessel, maintaining
stuOhnrnly that "Ihe commercial privilege,
accorded tn merchantmen and trading vessel,
are in no wise available To the American ish
lug neet" Since both countries desire an
calculation Of the points in dispute, tn,
rational course to pursue is that suggested by
President Cleveland-tO appoint commits
siOners, with full authority TO discuss anC
adj ust all differences.