The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1888-09-01
THE PRESIDENTS FISHERY MESSAGE

Perhaps no presidential message since
the notification proclamation OF Gen.
Jackson, has created greater stir through
out the country than the message of Presi-
dent Cleveland, sent to congress on the 23d
inst, In regard to our fishery dispute with
Canada. Yet 1t Is plain, simple, common
sense deliveranc which ought to have
been anticipated for under the circum-
stances no other course on the part OF the
President seemed reasonable or probable.
Our fishery disputes with Canada are OF
old standing, and have grown out OF con
flicting constructions OF the treaty of 1918.
the principal disagreement being, that
Canada maintained that the three miles,
outside of which our fisherman should re-
main along the Canada coast, should be
computed by 3 miles outside of straight
line from headland to headland, while our
fishermen claimed the right to go within
3 miles of the shore anywhere.
BY the Reciprocity Treaty of 1871 these
rritations were partly allayed, until 1856,
when, in pursuance of It's provisions, the
operations of the treaty were terminated by
a proclamation issued by the President
two years previously.
Then the old trouble was renewed, and
finally congress, in 1887, passed law of
retaliation against Canada, providing simp.
ly that whenever certain privileges were
denied our vessels To enter, fish or trade
in Canadian waters the President could,
by proclamation, deny like privileges to
Canadian vessels In our waters.
Retaliation Is striking blow for blow,
and In the way provided for, the blows of
Canada were likely TO hit harder than the
blows on Our side. We have little trading
TO do In Canadian waters, but to drive Can
ada from our waters would have stopped a
vast comm, re all along our northern boun
diary, to the great detriment Of Chicago
Milwaukee. Detroit, Cleveland, Duluth,
and other lake ports.
The President, hestating to take step
likely to iniict so much greater injury to
ourselves than Canada, sought to avoid the
whole trouble by inviting negotiations with
England and the formation of anew trea
ty; and England responding TO the invita-
ton, representatives of both governments
met In Washington last summer, and after
patient and protracted negotiation, agreed
upon treaty which the President, at least,
believed to be fair in its terms an honor.
able 70 both sides and with a strong COM
mendation In Its favor he sent it to the sen,
ate for ratification.
That body however, or rather the repub
lican majority, thought they saw an oppor.
tunitv here to put the President In hole,
by refusing to ratify the treaty and COM
polling him to issue his proclamation of
retaliation against Canada, knowing tull
we'll that such step, however carefully
taken, could not fail to intlict vastly more
damage on ourselves than on Canada,
would therefore cause a great cutlery
against inc lcoiu'HN, hbd
the Republican party in the pending ores
idential contest.
The President, however, is not bird
that can be caught with chafr Instead of
being caught In the trap (or hole) so cum
ningly prepared for him, he simply sends
to the congress, on the announcement, that
the treaty was rejected, a message, plainly
stating (what the senate very well knew all
the time) the difficulties and disadvan,
tages TO us that must attend any attempt to
retaliate against Canada under the act of
1887, but pointing another, and simple
way by which such retaliation can be made
vastly more effective, and yet be attended
with little II any injury to our side; and
that way was TO withdraw from Canada the
right which she has enjoyed for many
years. of free transit in bond across our
territory of goods arriving at any of our
ports ard destined TO Canada or exported
from Canada to other foreign countries.
This privileged is seen at glance, is of
the highest importance to Canada, For
six months In every year all her other
communication with the outer world is
blocked by Ice, and more than half her