New-York tribune., 1886-05-26
ZIP R4C1RU ON TAITH.

The State Department cannot reasonapy
expect the American fishing industry to take It's
professions of vigorous intervention on laith'
Mr.. Bayard within a week has condescended 10
describe the Canadian policy in one instance is
a o,os, outlagc upon the fisheImcns CONNER
cal rights. But for fifteen months preceding
that declaration he has been wholly indifferent
to the interests of the fishing fleet ana mas
openly advocated a policy which is popular III
the Dominion. Scarcely had he taken his
portfolio before he committed the Admnistrl-
tion TO unconstitutional measures. Congress
had abrogatcd the fishing CLAUSES OF the Treaty
of Washington he pcolonged their operation
and promised the British Minister that 'he
President would recommend in his message
the appointment Of joint commission ana ne
virtually cedea the lnshore fisheries oil the
Emitted States to Canaia without warrant OF
law. Not ONLY did he meekly follow the British
Minister'S advice in adopting course 10 Wiich
American fishermen were bitterly opposed Out
be studiouslv concealed his purposes from
them and gave them no opportunity Oh pre-
sentlng their case. Until the day when tue
Senate emphaticaly condemned his scheme
for an international commission, he arrayed
himself in hostility to the American fishing IN
dustry At no time has he manifested any
concern in the welfare of the Yankee fleet or
any disposition to protect it against foreign
intrigue and aggression. Is 1t strange, then,
that the friends of this important industry now
accept with reserve his declaration thal ht Is
not unmlndiul Of his responsibilities IN the
matter and that The correspondence VII prove
what a stout champion he is OF American COM
mercial rights? They will give him credit tor
energetic action, if he deserves commentator
bnt they wait for the official correspondence
before compimenting him.
Mr. SpotioId, who is Democrat of National
reputation, has been Mr.. Bayard's most unspar-
inc critic since the intrigue with the british
Minister was brought TO light. He directs atten-
tion in TIE Ucrdd TO the TACT that Whlle thc
Dominion authorities have been fitting out
armed cruisers and for months making hostile
prcparations against American fishermen, not
one word of protest has been heard from the
State Department. 1t has been no secret That
the Yankee feet was to be harasscd by seizure,
confScAtlon ana systematic outraSes, ana that
the commercial rights of this country we're 20 be
placed in jeopardy. These acts of aggression
have been sanctioned by the Dominion Govern
ment. The State Department, meanwhile, has
not swerved from its policy Of mastery lnac-
tiyirv. 1t has waited until the public press
without reference to party has spoken with one
voice. and then has made a bcalcd effort to re-
lreyc its incompetence. Mr.. Spoilord well says
that a Marcy or a Webster would not have sat
bv in humble acquiescence, but would have de-
manded at once an explanation from the british
Government of its mentions non would he have
left the great issues of the rights and protection
of the American flag on the high seas to
the sole defence of the endangered fishing
vessels. Mr.. Bayard certainly is importunate III
his demand that he shall be given credit for
very active and vigorous intervention on behalf
of American interests. Let him furnish the
proofs thar he is vindlcating the honor of the
flag and everybody will be grateful to him.
But IN the meantime judgment must be
reserved