The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-12-16

they viii be found to be so mfn1mized that
IA accord can be established for the full pro-
| lection OF the inshore fisheries OF the British
provinces without ObstrUcting the open sea
fishing operations of the citizens OF the Uni
ted States, or disturbing the trade regula-
-tions now subsistinR between the countries.
Under date of November G, Secretary
Bayard advises Minister Phelps of the
seizure Of the Marion Grimes and the En-
forced lowering of the American flag bs
Captain Quigley, of the Canadian cruiser
Terror. In commenting on this case the
Secretary says:
1t seems hardly necessary to say that il 70
not until after condemnation by priZs
court that the national flag of a vessel seized
as prize of war is hauled down by her cap
tor But fortiori is this principle to apply
in cases OF customs seizures where fines only
are imposed, and where no belliRerency
whatever exists. In the port of New York
and others of the countless harbors of the
United States are merchant vessels to-c-y
flying the British flag, which. from time q
time, are liable TO penalt es for violation Of
custom laws and regulations But have yet
TO learn that any official assuming. directly
or indirectly. TO represent the Government
OF the n ted States, would under such cir
cumstances order down or forcbly haul
down the British flag from a vessel charged
with Such irreguarity; and now / assert
that II such acts were committed this Gov
eminent. after being Informed of ii, would
not wait foea complaint from Great Britain
but would at once promptly reprimand the
part es concerned in such misconduct. and
would cause the proper expression of regret
to he made.
Under date of June 81, Minister Phelps
addressed communication 10 the Earl of
ROsebery. protesting IN the name of the
United States Government, against the
seizures made by the Canadians, as wholly
unwarranted by the treaty of 1918, request
ing the release of the vessel, and informing
him that the United States would hold her
Maiesty's Government responsible for all
losses sustained by American citizens, grow
ing out of the seizures. The question
now is" says Minister Phelps, mot
what fresh treaty may or might be desirable,
but what is the true and just construction,
as between the two nations, of the treaty
that already exists. THE Government of
the United States approaching this ques-
ton in the most friendly spirit, can not
doubt that it will be met by her Maiesty's
Government in the same spirit, and feels
every confidence that the action of her
Majesty's Government in the premises will
be such as to MAINTAIN the cordial relations
between the two countries that Lave so
long happily prevailed"
The correspondence closes with letter
from Minister Phelps to Earl Rosebery, in
which he combats the position taken by the
Earl that her Majesty's Government can
not take action in the matter of the seiz-
ures, because the Canadian courts are con-
sidering all the cases In dispute. Mr.. Phelps
maintains that the United States must look
to the home Government for redress and
satisfaction and for such instructions TO the
colonial authorities as will prevent future
seizures. He suggests, as means of pre-
venting further collisions between the
American fishermen and Canadian officials
that an ad interim construction of the terms
of the existing treaty be reached by mutual
consent, to be carried out informally until a
more permanent understanding be reached.