The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1886-12-17
THE FISHERIES.
TuE NEGOTIATIONS.

last annual message in relation TO a mode OF
settlement of the fishery rights in the waters
of British North America, so long n subject
Of anxious difference between the United
States and Great Britain. was met by an adj
verse vote of the senate April 13 last, and
thereupOn negotiations were instituted TO
obtain an agreement with her Britannia
maiesty's government for the PRONUNCIATION
of such Interpretation and definition Of the
article Of the convention OF 1918, relating
to the territorial waters and inshore fisher
les of the British provinces, as should secure
the Canadian rights from enCroaChment by
United States fishermen, and at the same
time ensure enjoyment by the latter of the
privileges guaranteed to them by such con-
ventiOn. The questions involved were Of
long standing and grave consequence, and
from time to time for nearly t~hree-quarters
of q century have given rise to earnest in
ternational discussions, not unaccom-
panied by irritation. Temporary ar
engagements by treaties have served
to allay friction. which, however, has re-
vived as each treaty was terminated. The
last arrangement unde the treaty of 1871
was abrogated after due notice by the United
States on June 80, 1885, but l was enabled
to obtain for our fishermen for the remain
der of that season enjoyment OF the full
privileges accorded by the terminating
treaty. The Joint commission by whom the
treaty had been negotiated, although in
vested with plenary power TO make q per-
manent settlement, were content with a
temporary arrangement, after the termlna-
ton of which the question was relegated to
the stipulations of the treaty Of 1918, as to
the first article of which no construction
satisfactory to both countries has ever been
agreed upon. The progress of civilization
and growth of population in the British
provinces to which the fisheries in question
are contiguous, and the extension of com
mercial Intercourse between them and the
United States, present to-day a condition Of
affairs scarcely realizable at the date of the
negotiations of 1918. New and vast inter
ests have becI brought into existence; modes
Of intercourse between the respective coun-
tries have been Invented and multiplied; the
methods of conducting the fisheries have
been wholly charged, and all this is necessa-
rily entitled to ;andid and careful considera-
ton in the adjustment of the terms and con-
ditions of intercourse and between
the United States and their neighbors along
a frontier OF over 3 800 miles. This propin-
guilty, community Of language and occupa-
ton and similarity of political and social in
situations, indicate the practicability and OBJ
vious wisdom of maintaining mutually ben
eticial N friendly relations Whilst l am
u~nfeignedly DESTROYS that such relations
should exist between us and the inhabitants
of Canada, yet the action of their officials
during the past season toYard our fishermen
has been such as to seriously threaten the
efforts to secure a satisfactory settlement
The fishery question negotiations are still
pending, with reasonable hope that before
the close of the present session of congress
such advancement will be made that an &C
ceptable conclusion will have been reached
at an early day there may be laid before
nnGrNnn N NJ ~ n dnnn ~E
ment of state in relation to this important
subject, so that the history of the past fish
ing season may be fully disclosed and the
action and the intention OF the administra-
tion ciosalv c~omprehendei. More extended
reference Is not deemed necessary in this
communications
OTHER FOREIGN MATTERS.
The recommendation submitted last year
that provision be made for a preliminary re-
| connaissance of the conventional boundary
line between Alaska and British Columbia
is renewed. / express my unhesitating con-
viction that the intimacy OF relation with
Hawaii should be emphasized. As a result
of the reciprocity treaty of 1875, those ISL
ands, ON the highway OK Oriental and Aus
tralian traffic, are virtually an outpost of
American and a stepping stone to
the growing trade of the Pacific. The
Polynesian island groups have been SO abb
sorbed by other and more powerful govern
4 menuS blaG the hawaii lSlauuS are l6Il alH1OSU
alone in the enjoyment OF their autonomy,
which it is important for us should be pre-
served. Our treaty is now termnable at one
1 years notice, but propositions to abrogate
IL would be, in my judgement, most i'll
advised. The paramount influence we
could only with difficulty be repaired,
and a valuable coign OF vantage
for ourselves might be converted
into a stronghold forsour commercial com
petitors / earnestly recommend that the
existing treaty stipulations be extended fol
q further term OF seven years. A recently
signed treaty To this end is now before the
senate. The importance of telegraphic com.
munication between these island and the
United States should not be overlooked. The
j question of q general revision of the treaties
is again under discussion at Toxic. As Eht
first TO open relations with That empire ant
as the nation in most direct commercial re
Iation with Japan, the United States have
lost no opportunity to testify their consistent
friendship by supporting the just claims Of
Japan to autonomy and independence among
nations. A treaty of extradition between the
United States and Japan. the first concluded
by that empire, has been lately pro
claimed The weakness of Liberia ant
the difficulty Of maintaining effect
I've sovereigncy over its outlying districtl
have exposed that republic to encroachrnent
It CANNOT be forgotten that this distant com
munity is an offshoot OF our w system
owing its origin to the associated benevolenc'
Of American citizens, whose praiseworth,
efforts TO create a nucleus Of civilization n
the dark continent ave commanded respec
and sympathy everywhere, especially In thu
country. Although q formal proDectorat
over Liberia Is contrary to our traditiona
policy. the moral right and duty OF tn
United States to assist in all proper ways Il
the maintenance OF its integrity II Obvious
and has been consistently announced dnrinl