Telegram-herald., 1886-05-11

AFlS1 SVORY
Iae dispatches coatsiaea Ia tie 5us-
uAE lKLEsaA4 ii EalLB announced that
tie fishing .aooael DAVID J. Adams hs4
been seized at Difby. s., To- tae Do-
nlalau gaa-naat Laaslo9ue fer sio-
lallou az lhs treaty Of ISIS. "a g9lng Toto
a Ca-asiian pea. after bait Ws are nol
al al surprised as ths reception of thLs
ness. The Gloucester fishermen have
.ons tareatsuesi THIS course. IL order to
force car goyeranient o. an abfogatioa Of
tle ireay of Isis. they nave as0sed their
intention of committing a violation OF ihs
treaty sud thereby exposing their vessels
o. seizure by tls Dominion government
hoping Go coms Ell les lesis-ssiou favor
able to their interests. llere are bat
few industries wllch have been more
petted by oar government than the Attain
glc fisheries. For one hundred auI thirty
years q policy 0f countes and subsidies
encouraged aud stimulated their growth.
From l6a9. shen the Massachusetts, gen-
erai court exempted from taxation fish
Ing vessels aud all property contested
herewith. down 10 1870, when all boan-
ties were abolished, the men engaged ia
that occupation were especially favored,
and were continually, 10 some form or
other. the recipients Of the generosity Of
tie Legislature ia the shape Of liberal
subsidies. Tie right ot our fishermen TO
take dsh in Canadian waters was bone
Ok contention for many years. During
the war Of 1872. cur vessels were effect
u4lly kept away from the fishing
grounds by the British cruisers. At the
conclusion Of that war. and during the
uegonanous for peace. the Englishmen
eadoagored ~ vain to have the United
States rshuquish any right 10 those fish
cries. After great deal Of discussion
the treaty of ISIS was entered into
which gave the Americans thu right 10
take fish on the south coast of Newfound-
land, between Cape Ray aud the Rameau
islands. from Cape Ray TO the QIirpon
islands. on the shores of the Magdalen
islands. and Oh the south coast Of Labra-
dor from Mount Jolly 70 and through the
Strait Of Belle Isle and indefinitely north
ward Tie United States on their part
ren0unced tne night OF fishing within
three marine miles OK the British domin-
ions in America not included in the
above described limits, but our fishing
vessels were to be allowed to enter any of
the Canadian ports for the purpose Cf
procuring rater or fuel THIS treaty OF
ISIS Is IN force at the present time. and It
Is under 1t that ouF fishermen obtain the
right 10 fish IN Brltsh-American waters.
The Gloucester fishing smacks have been
ia the habit OF resoruDg to Canadian
ports for the purpose Of procuring bait.
This has called forth loud and frequent
remonstrauces from the Canadian author
iues, until finally 1t has resulted in the
seizure OF the Adams
We see no reason for any international
conflict, OF any cause for apprehension
that the friendly relations existing be-
tween England and the United States
are about to be severed. When this gov
eminent enters INTO treaty with a for
eign power, II Is TIE dury of our citizens
to obey It, The treaty Of 1918 allows our
fishermen to enter Canadian ports TO
supply themselves wiki water and fuel
only. The schooner David !. Adams
went into tie harbor OF Digby, y. ), to
procure bait. which was plain violation
Of the treaty Of 1918. There remains
nothing for Us t. do except % allow the
.aw 70 take It's course unds. that treaty.