The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1888-08-25
The Presidents Message on Retalia-
ton.
rom The baltimore Sun Of August "a.

From the Baltimore Sun Of august "a.
The Presidents message to Congress on Thursday
in regard the situation created by the rejection
of the Canadian fisheries treaty and the evident in
disposition of that body to alter amend its pro-
visions initiate further negotiations, is per-
meated with patriotic public spirit and firm resolve
to employ every means that Congress will provide
10 remedy the grievances suffered by American cti-
zens at the hands of the Canadian authorities. The
treaty of 1878 conferred upon the fishermen of the
United States the privilege of fishing in Canadian
waters but the extent of the privileges then con-
ferred has ever since been subject of dispute. The
two chief questions have been whether the ex-
preston, three marine miles of any of the
coasts, bays, creeks or harborS of his Britannia
maiestv's dominions meant a limit Of three miles
from the coast limit of three miles from line
drawn from headland TO headland, and whether
the proviso that 1.-The American fishermen shall be
admitted TO enter such bays or harbors for the pur
pose of shelter and of repairing damages therein of
purchasing wood and of obtaining water and for no
other purpose whatever is intended to exclude
American vessels from coming fnshore to traffic,
tranship fish purchase stores, hire seamen &c. The
treaty of 1871, which made an amieable adjustment
of these questions was at the instance of the New
England fishermen terminated in July, 1885. Since
that time the Canadian authorities in their asser
ton of their view of their rights have subjected
American fishermen, says the President to "numer-
GUS yexations, interferences and annoyances," and
have seized their vessels upon pretexts that appear
to be entirely inadmissible. For the preservation
of the American interests involved. the President
deemed ii his duty to attempt the negotiation of n
which was in his opinion adequate for oursecurty
in the future from vexatious incidents and for the
promotion of friendly neighborhood and intimacy
without sacrificing in the least our national pride
and dignity" But this treaty the majority OF the
Senate has rejected. At the same time the treaty
making branch of Congress has expressed not OBJ
securely the opinion that no further negotiations
should be had and not few of the majority of that
body have condemned the President in the btterest
terms for delaying the issuance of the proclamation
authorized by the resolution of Congress, approved
March g. 1887, terminating all further commercial
intercourse with Canada. This act authorizes the
President in his secretion to forbid the entrance of
Canadian vessels INTO American waters and also TO
deny the entry into any port or place of the United
States of fresh salt fish any other product of
Canada, or other goods coming from" Canada. The
President declares his purpose, under proper cir
cumstances TO carry into operation the retaliatory
intention of Congress-expressed with singular
unanimity in both House and Senate-and asks for
further powers that retaliation if entered upon,
shall be effectiye ut will be IMPOSSIBLE" he saws
ito ipjure our Canadian neighbors by retaliatory
measures without intietng some damage upon our
citizens but the policy of securing fair treat
ment indicated in the nonintercourse law of March
g. 1857, -manifestly embraces the intietton Of the
10 make the plan of retaliation thorough and vigor
Gus requires however that the President be author
lied suspend certain laws dating from 1866 which
permit Canadians to import by rail through New
York. Boston, Portland and other designated ports,
foreign goods free of duty. That is TO say. Cana
dams present may import and ship goods in bond
across the New England States and other states
without let or hindrance, while at the same time
they deny to our fishermen the right TO ship their
catch of fish from Canadian ports by rail to points in
the United States. The President reviews at some
length the provision of the treaty of 1871 confirming
to canadians the right 10 transiip goods in bond 70
show that that provision lapsed with the other fish
cries clauses of that treaty The act ofCongress CIV
ing legislative effect to this provision of the treaty
and the prior legislation the subject are recon-
mended 10 the attention of Congress. During the
last six years the imports and exports of British
Canadian provinces carried across our territory.
under the laws whose repeal is suggested, amounted
in value to S2I0UlO,0OO. nearly all of which was
British goods dutiable under our tariff laws. NO
act OF retaliation could be more efficient than TO ss
pend the laws and regulations under which this
transit trade is carried on, and the President recon-
IN the guSpPnO them conferred
upon him by Congress. Senator Frye and other
New England Senators interested to give the fish
trust of Gloucester monopoly of the American
market have true urged that retaliation should
be restricted to exclude Canadian-caught fresh fish,
which is on the free list by the act of July 1870 but
the President clearly indicates that he thinks so
small measure of retaliation would not be likely
to secure the public objects in view The West and
Northwest have also interests at stake. by article
- of the treaty of 1871 the American citizen was
promised the use of the WellanG, st. Lawrence and
other canals of Canada on terms of equality with
Canadian citizens The promise has not been kept,
citizens required to pay tolls on all these
canals and receive no rebates such us are given to
Canadians using the canals. Ii is recommended,
therefore, that legislative action be taken that will
give Canadian vessels navigating our canals and
their cargoes precisely such advantages as are
granted 10 our vessels and cargoes on Canadian
canals These matters it is urged by the President,
relate to the honor and dignity of our country and
the protection and preservation OF the rights ana
interests ofall our people, They are not sectional
or neighborhood affairs it is ntimated to be settled
by retaliatian looking to the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT oil
some petty locality or interest. They touch the
national spirit. and should be dealt with in the
broadcast manner. As the President says in his for
chile way These subjects which partisanship
should not disturb or confuse. Let us survey the
ground calmly and moderately, and having put aside
other means of settlement if we enter upon the pol
icy of retaliation, let pursue it firmly with de-
termination only to subserve the interests of our
people and maintain the high standard and the be-
coming pride of American citizenship" The pre-
cptate adjournment of the Senate or the presenta-
ton of the Presidents message hardly became the
dignity of that body. il WAS evidently done in the
spirit of pdrtlSanSnlp instead oil patriotic
craftsmanship. The House, with Il better apprecia
ton of its dulles received and referred 10 the proper
committee bill giving the President the powers
suggested in the message requisite to the proper
protection of American interests.