The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-22
Full Text of the Yreaty Between
tho United States and Canada.
Il Proposes a Delimitation of Lines
OF Exclusive Fisheries.
Conveniences and Just Privileges
Granted the Americans.
Altogether the United States Gains
Many Points, but ut the Same TINE
Canada Has No Cause to
Lie Bleeding"

day made public the fisheries treaty with
the presidents letter OF transmittal. The
presidents letter with tho historical part
omitted, il IA follows;
10 the Senate OF the United States
In my annual message transmitted to
the Congress in December, 1885, IL was
stated that negotiations were then pending
for the settlement of the questions growing
out OF the rights claimed by American
fishermen in British North American
waters.
As result OF such negotiations, atrcaty
has been agreed upon between her
Britannia majesty and the United States,
concluded and signed in this capitol under
my direction and authority ON the 10Th Of
February, inst, and which Inow have the
honor to submit 10 the Senate with the
Recommendation that II shall have the
consideration Of the body provided In tho
constitution, In order that the ratification
thereof, may hc duly exchanged and the
treaty carried into effect.
Shortly after Congress had adjourned in
March last, and in continuation OF my
efforts TO arrive at such an agreement be.
tween the governments Of Great Britain
and the United States rs would secure 10
the citizens Of the respective countries the
unmolcstcd enjoyment OF their rights
under existing treaties and international
comfy in the territorial waters OF Canada
and Newfoundland. | ayailcd myself OF
| opportuno occurrences, indicative Of de-
/ Lila. ut,tt.tall..
and final settlement Of "a long standing
controversy productive Of much irritation
and misunderstanding between the two
nations 10 send through our minister ia
| London proposals that u conference should
take place on the subject ut this capitol.
The experience Of the past two years
had demonstrated the dilatory and unsat'
islaciory consequences OF our indinct
transaction Of business through the foreign
office In London, In which the views and
| wishes oi the government Of the dominion
oi Canada were practically predominant,
but were only 10 find expression at second
hand.
To ob,iutc this inconvenience and OBJ
struciion 10 prompt aud well defined set
tlcmcni, Il was considcicd advisable that
the negotiations should be conducted IN
this city, and that the interests OF Canada
and Newfoundland should bc directly rep,
resented therein.
The treaty meets my approval because L
believe that Il supplies a satisfactory, pmo-
teal and final adjustment, upon hasis
honorable aud Just 10 both parties, Of tho
difficult and veXcd question 10 which II
relates
The greater part of the correspondence
which has taken place between the two
/ f.V.Fuu..ufa Lua HaFatuf.r, l...t. a.tus.tt-
nicated 10 Congress, and nj ~ early day
M possible shall transmit the remaining
portion 10 this date, accompanying Il with
the joint protocols Of the conference which
resulted IN the conclusion Of the treaty
now submitted 10 you.
You will thus be- fully possessed Of the
record aud history VI the case since
the termination ON June 20,
1886, ~ the fishery articles Of the treaty Of
Washington Of 1871 whereby We were rel
cgatcd 10 the provisions Of the treaty of
October 20. 1918. Az the documents aud
papers referred 10 will supply full iniorma-
lion of the positions taken under my all
minis,mtion by the representatives Of the
United States as well NJ those occupied by
the representatives Of the government Of
Great Britain, Il II moi considered necc~a-
~ or cxpcdicnt 90 rcpcat them In this
message. hut believe the treaty will Dc
found TO contain Just, hononiblc, and.
therefore, satisfactory solution OF the DIM
entities which have clouded our relations
with our ncighbom on our northern Dor
der
Especially satisfactory DO I believe the
proposed arrangement will be found by
those of our citizens Who aro engaged In
the open sea fisheries adjacent TO the Can
adam coast and res0rting 10 those ports
and harbon under treaty provisions and
rules Of international law.
Tho proposed dclimitalion Of the lines
Of the exclusive fisheries from the COM
mon fisheries will give certainty aud secu-
fily rs 20 the ARIA Of their Legitimate field.
Tho head land theory Of imaginary lines il
abandoned 10y Great Britain and the spec
ihcaion in the treaty oi certain named
bays especially provided for gives sltisfac-
ton 10 the inhabitants u the shors with
out subtracting materially from the value
or convenience OF tho fishery rights OF
Americans Tho uninterrupted nayiga-
ton Of the straight Of Cansor u expressly
and for the first timo affirmed, aud tho
four purposes for which our fishermen
undor the treaty 81 1918 were allowed 20
enter the bays and harbon Of Canada and
Newfoundland within tho belt Oi three
marine miles. are placed under fair and
liberal construction aud their enjoyment
secured without such conditions and ~.
Enclions as In the past have embarrassed
and obsirucicd them 70 seriously.
The enforcement Of penalties Tor unlaw-
fully fishing, or preparing 10 i.li within
the shore and exclusive waters Oi Canada
and Newfoundland Il to be accomplished
under safeguards against oppressive or ar
bilmry action, thus protecting the defend.
ant fishermen from punishment In advance
Of trial, delays and Inconvenience and UNI
necessary expense. The history OF events
In the last two years shows that no feature
OF Canadian administration .was more har-
asslng and injurious than the compulsioni
upon our fishing vessels 10 make formal
entry aud clearance ON every occasion oil
temporarily seeking shelter In Canadian
ports and harbou. Such Inconvenience IL
provided against In the proposed treaty,
, aud this most frequent and Just cause 81
, complaint u removed.
. Tic articles permitting our fishermen 20
> obtain provisions and the ordinary supplies
| ~. -. -. tl..lx I... kaN.