The Wilmingtonian., 1886-05-22


There are many interesting points in thi
troublesome little question. Over an
above all Canada wantsla reciprocity treat
with us. Sh is avowedly using the presen
issues to further her wishes in that direction
Frances aims on tile other hand are restrict
ed to the local issue of securing trade racili
ties in newfoundland and Nova Sc tia, in
general way similar to what the New En-
gland fisherman ask. But how do the Now
Scotians and people Of Newfoundland pos,
in the matter?
In the first place tlsy have certain m lri.
time, ittoral, and riparian rights, such as
the three mile limit, which are conceded
them by treaty. Justice must be dono first.
But if there he any unfainess or injustice
in the existing laws, surely it is rdiculou
to assert anything elsI'Tit tha two such in
teligent nations as the United States and
Great Britain can by diplomatic arrange
ment readjust them! As siursts ON both sides
say, let the ease be clearly stated. Both ua-
tions ale ready for arbitrament Why is
not arbitration proceeded with? What i'm
pediment is in the way-.and who is respon-
sible for these impedimcnts2 Has not Pres
ident Cleveland alteady strongly and clearly
suggested in executive messa.e to the Sen.
ate pointed out aud urged this And have
not the Republican Senators thrown cold
water upon the suggestion, an now blocked
its possibility of success. Worse still, does
not the very party in the Senate advocate
the stupid and barbarous policy of retalia-
tory measures in the place OF the m IRE m ,d
ern theory of arbitration
Even the Unitod States Coasul at D gby,
Mr.. Phau, c needles that the fishing boat
Adams had infrActed the III tri,ime laws OF
Canada
But the other phas', viz that OF the NOR
al rights of the people of Nova Scotia aud
Newfoundland demand ool.il.gatiJn. Here
is large maritime popu ati IN, who for two
centuri 5 have existed ilrly upon the fish
er:es contiguous TO theii coast lines These
fisheries are the richest ia iho word. Thy
are to them what the coal and on fields Of
Pennsylvania are u ciiz ,us of that state,
what the sea island cotton fields ar, to the
Carolintaus, what The peach orchards are to
D. awarlaas, what the guano banks are to
the peiuy;a.s atd Ch i ans-.t mine If
weat !
The deep sea" ii Ii ri s Ito not come u,
der tn, s'iun.
Tie c''.ad-aas i''si -''s''n s''e''.tl'ree.
mile init right Oltsde Of that 10 all the
word is x,undrd the col-llshing light. And
fiom Eur, pe immense fleets annually
"wura :" tie banks Of Nvwfoun Hand without
let o hindiaucc, The rea' trouble is as to
the bait NV Tho nait is obtained only 10
the inlets ani bays alrnI the cotSt. From
time immemurul this ha, been ella IN I'd and
conceded as the uatiy,'s right. The fact
that this bal, is i source Of such great riches,
an iuds! eusable need l,r cud-f hermen, has
raised it up into perhaps the most valuable
source of life maintenance among the natives
of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. This
they always depend upon as a source Of iu-
come. In doing thns it is not cIuteuded
that they are exceeding their national or
treaty rights. TIM, honestly aud cinddly
speaking, the ouly grievance that our fisher
men aud those of France have az inst the
natives is that we AMI this Fieuchmeu uep6-
ing, as We do indispensaby, the rich bait
found only along the shore, cannot get it
freely and without purchase What is in
tended in the present disturbance is to force
upon tie Canadians a freer and less restrict
ed opportunity of getting ba by onr fl i,her-
men aud those Of F,ancs Is tha5 in.enti) IN
OF contemplation just Have not these No
va Scotians whose bread depends mainly
upon the sale oc this precious bait some very
strong rights in The matter. Is the st.
Johns Parliament 50 very wrong in piold-
ing persiS emily the c'ai MS of its people In
For'une Bay alnna Snme 800 French fishing
vessels Annually pa, each 1000 francs for
bait This alone yielding say $2j0,0O0
year to the inhabitants of tho locality. And
this is Their /! !Ihtful soIrc3 OF income Just
as much ~ that Of tie "a tuo Jf the Peruvian
Islands to the owners urg"verrmeut Of those
islands TIE 4 l. sion Of the Nova Scotiaus'
rights of three ME Limit - all fisheries
following The siun >i,joS Of the coast line Of
their pcniusul, Is disputed by none,
- s---
A little boy Of six summers was sent one
morning To call his grandfather to breakfast.
The old grut cuon was in the habit Of snor-
ing very Land, and as the boy pushed open
the donr he was frightened at the unusual