Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1886-05-22
The Fishery Insult.

'
Emboldened by the apparent indif-
ference shown by our Government the
wanton outrage recently perpetrated
by him ut Dig5y on an American yes
sci, Admiral Scott is rushing madly
around the Nova Scotia coasts seeking
fresh victims. To correspondent, who
a few days ago asked him whether it
was the intention of the Canadian Gov
eminent to await final Developments In
the case referred to before making fur.
ther captures, he replied "The seizure
OF the Adams will make no difference.
II had a chance to seize half dozen
more vessels tonight, would do 80
without hesitation"
This rampant British Admiral was
ostensibly assigned to the duty Of pro-
tecting the Canadian fisheries, but his
real object Is to terroriEe American
fishermen and compel Congress to con-
sent to the appointment of q commits
sion which will endorse the pretensions
Of the British with regard to matters
in dispute and ignore the wishes and
interests OF our own citizens. The
Adams was not engaged in any for
hidden business when she was seized
Her crew were not buying bait, or
''taking, drying or curing fish, acts
prohibited by the treaty OF 1SlS-in
Digby basin, which, in fast, is not
within the fishing grounds at all That
she had not violated the fishery treaty
is practically acknowledged by the fact
that she was handed over to the custody
of the port collector Of Customs by
Scott, and that, as far as can at present
be learned, the reason assigned by the
latter for her capture and con 6scation
is that che had committed a breach OF
the customs laws. The British Ad-
miral then appears to be empowered
not only to prevent the infraetion oil
Canadian fishery laws, but also to
interpret Canadian customs regulations
rs he chooses, and TO deprive American
vessels Of privileges denied TO those OF
no other nation, and such as are now
freely accorded to British ships by
American authorities. The extraordi-
nary anxiety felt by the British to
force the United States into adopt
ing their project Of joint fishery
commission is persistently displayed
and their indignation against those
who oppose the scheme manifested
In the most offensive manner. Tn,
British official at Washington, too
seizes every opportunity to dilate on tn
advantages of commission, and 9Th
duty OF the United States" to appoin
one, but he seems now to be rather de
pressed at the evident signs of popula
feeling over the wanton seizure c
American vessels, and OF indiguatio
against himself for his intermedIiD
and his insulting remarks upon thos
members OF the United States Senat
who voted against commission. II
speaks against retaliatory measures, bit
says that such acts never adjust diifcl
ences OF opinion. He should hay
thought of this earlier, especially Will
he was in Canada few days ago.
He knew that Admiral Scott wa
going out with fleet to pursue an
capture American vessels upon th
slightest pretext. He could have pr,
vented this had he chosen, but he mad
no effort to do sc, and abused U. {
Senators who opposed his views. BIT
now that Scott has gone too far, thi
he has insulted our flag and injur OF
fellow citizens, the British Minist'
protests against "retaliatory measures.
He is too late in his protest. Senat,
Frye's bill TO limit the privileges
foreign vessels entering United Stat
ports to those conceded American We
sells in the ports Of the countries
which those fore gners belong, h
passed the Senate, and ought to pa
the House without delay. 1t should
followed up with a resolution CALI
on the President to demand the prom
return Of the American vessels SELF
tO their owners and an ample apollo
for the outrage committed by those !
spousible for them.
These measures might not lead b
speedy adjustment OF differences
opinion, but they would undoubtet
cause complete change Of conduct
the part Of those who have assumed
aggressive towards US and preserve
citizens for the future from any furt
Inconvenience or insult from &
source.