New-York tribune., 1886-05-29
PFTALfATYON AND DIPLOMACY.

Congress has done its utmost TO lnVlgOrate
the neryeless State Department. Mr.. fryes
amendment to the Shipping bill, which was
promptly acted upon by the Senate, has passed
the House by n unanimous vote. lt Is a
simple and effective weapon OF retaliation. IL
authorizes the President to impose the same
restrictions upon Canadian vessels in American
ports to which American vessels may be SUD-
iected in Canadian ports. II commercial prlvl-
)eges guaranteed by British and American law
are Interdicted there, corresponding rights may
be SUSPENDED in New England harbors. IL
American fishermen are not allowed to purchase
bait. ice and other supplies on the Nova Scotia
coast, Canadian vessels Will DC for rolduen 10
trade in Maine and Massachusetts ports. The
amendment, if promptly and vigorously en-
forced by the Adm inistration, Will prevent the
purchase of ice and bait by Dominion fishermen
in American narbors and menace their COM
mercial marine with a policy of non-nter-
course. This measure of retaliation has Deeh
adroitly drawn, and is strictly in line with
the imnregnable position which the American
Government occupies. The Canadian case Is
based upon the Treaty of 1slS. The American
case is grounded upon subsequent legislation
in Great Britain and the United States pro-
yidug for reciprocal freedom OF commercial
intercourse.
Judge Savary, OF Nova Scotia, has directed
attention TO a detail of this controversy which
strengthens the American argument lie is re-
ported in our special dispatches from Halifax,
pubished on Thursday, to have declared that
the international arbitrators in 1877 assented
to the view that the bait question was purely
'ha Iln
counsel had laid great stress upon the privilege
of buying bait, but the counsel for the United
States vigorously protested against the con-
sideraton of this question, and the al Ibitrators
sustained the objection. That tribunal virtually
adopted the view that bait was an article OF
commerce and could be purchased under the
general arrangements providing for reciprocal
trading rights The Sj,50O,OOO was awarded
solely for the privilege OF fishing within the
tlncc-mile limit and did not include comper sa-
ton for the right to purchase bait, which had
been expressly forbidden by the Treaty OF
1918. The arbitrators, as Judge Savary adj
mits. sanctioned the position now held by the
American Congress.
The Canadian jGrist, being warm advocate
of Nova Scotia fishing interests, now contends
not appreciated in 1877 and that 1t is the key
to the situation. He remarks that in future
NEGOTIATIONS the privileges OF the inshOrc fish
cries must be rated as worth $lCDODo year
to the Americans but 4" this will be mere
"bagatelle compared to the claim for the privl-
"lege OF bait, ice and transshipments." Judge
Savaly's candor is instructive as well as re-
freshing. With that niqnitous and extortion-
ate award already drawn from the United
States Treasury, he proposes renewal OF
negotiations for a new commission, and the
working up of a tremendous bill for the privi-
lege of buying bait The duty of the State De-
partment is clear. No countenance should be
given to these specious diplomatic schemes
No new treaty is required by the American fish
Ing industry. The country has been over
reached once and badly cheated, and should
not be invegled into any new bargain. The
Yankee fishermen stand upon their ordinary
commercial rights. They want these and
nothing more-save adequate protection from
the National Government.