New-York tribune., 1888-08-24
RETALIATION UPON CANADA.
4 MESSAGE on THE REJECTED
TREATY.
THE PRESIDENTS CUNNING ATTEMPT TO
REPAIR THE DAMAGE OF
BAYARDS BARGAIN.

WHILE REFUSING TO ExERCIsE THOSE he
ALRgADY HAs-PITIFUL ANXIETY FOR THE
PROTECTION OF AMERICAN RIGHTS
THE VOICE AND VOTE OF coNoREss
UNHEEDgD-FEATUREs OF THE
RETALIAroRY PLAN.
fBY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNE.
Washington, Aug. 23-The President sent
message to Congress to-day In which he requested
a further enlargement of the powers conferred
upon him under the retaliatory act passed by
the XLIXth Congress. To say that such a request
has been received By Congress with surprise, is
to state It very mildly 1t is remembered with
something alIin to indignation by Republicans and
friends Of the New-Englan fishermen that less
than six months ago the President used the
extraordinary discretion conferred upon him by
Congress as a lever to force the Republican
tority in the Senate, first into agreeing to MIR.
Bayard's shameful treaty and afterward.
failing in this into an agreement TO let the
whole matter go over until December next, under
threats that, in the wishes of his Admins
tration were not complied with. he would carry
into effect the retaliatory act irrespective Of
locality or interests involved 1t is also remem-
bered that it was at his request that the original
powers which it was proposed to confer upon
him were enlarged, and that notwithstanding the
alacrity with which his request granted
he and Mr.. Bayard refused persistently to put
the law into operation, and in the face OF the
unanimous opinion of the Senate negotiated
treaty the terms Of which were as humllating
to the country they would have proved dis
astrous to the fishermen had the treaty not been
rejected by a patriotic Senate. Why Mr.. Cleve
land now demands additional powers, when he has
heretofore obstinately refused to make use OF
those he already has. is than the people here
i
his plea for stopping all intercourse in bonded
when it is remembered that the Treasury Depart
ment under his Administration has done every
thing in its power to aid Canadian railways at the
expense OF railways in this country. which labor
under the disadvantage OF having to conform the
regulations of the Interstate Commerce law.
The message was sent TO both houses OF
Congress but read only in the House OF Repre-
sentatives In the Senate its reading went over
until tomorrow. pending motion made By Mr.
Edmunds to adjourn. There some people to-
night who look upon this motion
significant OF desire on the part
Of Republicans to avoid discussion, and such
an Interpretation Of Mr.. Edmunds's motion is
actually being sent to Democratic and Admins
tration organs By astute correspondents tonight,
but ii is safe to say that such a thought did not
enter the mind Of single Republican, and least
Of all the mind of Mr. Edmunds, who, on this
question OF all others, would welcome dcbato
with the Dem Gratis, having been restrained by
scrupes OF Senatorial propricty with regard to
executive sessions and the secrecy which he thinks
should attend the discussion OF trcates from
taking part in the Fisheries debate. In the House
the message was received as another would be.
Most members tonight are altogr ther ignorant
OF the fact that such a message was sent. None
is willing TO venture opinion without having
seen this extraordinary document in print
general impression. however, seems 10 prevail that
the message is cunningy devised rhcmr 10 repair
by bustcr and the scmblance of activity the dam
age done by the cowar1lv surrender Of our rights
at the hands Of Secretary Bayard.
Senator Frye, speaking 10 the correspondent OF
The Tribune before tho message was received, ex-
pressed the opinion that there would
be no retaliation the part OF this
Government as long as the present
Administration remained at the helm How could
there be p be asked. The Adm .nistration wound
be confessing itself wrong in thus Whole business.
1t mas maintained that the position 1t assaulted
under the Bayard treaty was right Now, II 1t
were to take TO retaliatory measures II would he
practically saving, We WRONG we SEE tne
error OF our ways: we ought TO have done before
what we were advised by the Senate, ana CoAgless
for that matter, to do long ago; but we wiz uO IL
now That wouldn't Oe cry cOuslstent course.
Moreover | do not think that there VIII DE any
outragcs committed on the part Ol lht Caudu"I
authorities upon our hshermcn at least not uhtll
after eiectiOn, and you Know very Wei lhaI ou'-
rage must preccde retaliation.
lhe opinion of Senator Frye, expressed even
before the message was recciN cd, Wodlu seem 10
confirm the idea that the Pres message Is
lacking in sincerity, that he is merely rlu'n= With
Congress, and that il is simply political make
shift to set by timely air oil bilster the slofm
of Indignation with which the yaclllalHs ana pus-
ilmnimous diplomacy Of Secretary Bdyard has been
received by the country
The message is given below.
TEXT OF THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
To the Congress-
The rcicction bv the Senate Of the treaty lately
negotiated for the settlement and adjustment OF
the differences existing between the United STATES
and Great Britain concerning the rights and prlvl-
leres OF American fishermen in the ports ard waters
of British North America, seems to justify SUI
vev Of the condition to which the pending question
is thus remitied.
The treaty upon this subject concluded in SIS,
through disagrcements as to the meaning OF Its
terms has been a fruitful source of irritation and
trouble Our citizens engaged in nshins enter
prises in waters adjacent to Canada, have been
subjected to numerous vexations, interierenceS
and annovances. thec vessels have been seized
upon pretexts which gnpcar to be entirely mad
missible. and they have been otherwise treated by
the Canadian authorities and officials in a manner
incxcusably harsh and oppressive.
This conduct has been justified by Great Britain
and Canada By the claim that the treaty OF | slo
permitted il, and upon the ground that it was
necessary 70 the proper protection Of Canadian In
terests.
we danr that treaty agreements Justify these
acts. and we further maintain that, aside from
any treaty restraints Of disputed Interpretations the
relative positions of the United States and Canada
as near neighbors, the growth OF our Joint COM
merce, the development and prosperity Of both
countries, which amicablc relations surely guaran-
tee and above all the libcrality always extended
by the United States to the people of Canada, fur-
nishcd motives for kindness and considerable
1. II. -. thnn tr.atr cnNnnunls