Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-02-16
THE FISHERIES TREATY.
The Commissioners Finish Their
WOrk-NaluHe Of the Agreement.


After daily sessions for the last two weeks the
Fisheries Commissioners at O'Clock last evening
completed their labors and signed a treaty which
1t is believed will result in satisfactory settle
ment OF the disputes that have existed for almost
a century between this Government and Great
Britain over the North Atlantic fisheries The
treaty is signed by all six OF the Commissioners,
and it is said to have their ful concurrence. It
was sent to the President to-day for tranSmtttal
to the senate. re the treaty can take effect
1t must have the ratification or the queen OF Great
brta n, the Dominion or Canada, ana the province
OF Newfoundland as well as or the Senate or the
United states.
Although the treaty will not at present be made
pubic, 1t can De stated that IL relates exclusively
to the disputes concerning the fisheries OF the
North Atlantic coast, aud does not include any
provisions concerning the Benring Sea trouble or
be added does not contemplate the admission Of
fish into the United States free OF duty
privileges enjoyed by American and Canadian
fishermen will be entirely reciprocal The "touch
and trade" privilege or right demanded by Amer
and OF selling cargoes to whoever might desire to
purchase was conceded, though not until after
Shs IL said Canaaaa waeEs within the
three-mile limit are protected from Invasion by
American fishermen. The American comnis-
sioners 1t is said, surprised the English commits
sioners by not insisting on q right TO 1sh within
the limit The eastern fishermen consider the
deep-water fishing more prontaole than that Of
the shoals within the limit. In consideration OF
the "tOuch and trade concession, IL Is said the
English commissioners stipulated that license
in Canadian ports. This license is to be adjusted
to the form or tonnage tax, and the entire fea-
ture, 1t Is agreed, will D. abolished upon the plac
ing Of fish on The free list by the United states.
Secretary Bayard said last night that he could
not, because OF his official position, make known
the contents Of the treaty, but That IL was his
earnest wish that IL Shou be given to the press
by those having the right 10 make such disposition
OF it, and that every line OF it should be published
The dispute, he says, has been one OF long stand
ing and had come to him by inheritance when he
assumed the duties OF Secretary OF State He had
used his best endeavors 10 reach satisfactory
agreement with the government OF Great Britain
and believed that he nad succeeded so Tar as II lay
In his power 10 effect a settlement
away, but they do not wish to leave until the last
steps are taken. Nj. Joseph Chamberlain, IL Is
said is not likely TO leave until the latter part OF
next week, no arrangements having yet been
made at the Arlington Tor his departure. He has
1t is stated, arranged to sail for England on the
25th or 26tn instant.
ing, and Mr. Putnam took the 3:45 train for New
York. He leaves there tomorrow for Portland,
Me.
THE TREATY BEFORE TIE PRESIDENT TODAY.
The treaty went to the White House this morn
Ing Col Lamont said that 1t was not settled
whether or not 1t would 60 to the Senate to-day,
but 1t Is probable that 1t will not.
THE CoNFRRREs.
The confereeS were as follows: On the part of
Great Britain, MI Jos Chamberlain, Sir Charles
Tupper and Sir Lionel West On the part OF the
United States Secretary Bayard and Messrs Angel
and Putnam. Assistant Secretary OF state Moore
and MI Bergne, an Englishman, acted as secre-
taries The first meeting OF the conference was
held November %. 1t Was stated at the time that
the commission came together with no other
power than that OF free conference upon question
which has practically been an open one
ence. Brieny stated, 1t has been from the
beginning the claim OF the United states
that whatever privileges the treaties with Great
Britain recognized as due 70 Americans were
original rights, and were not In any sense grants
granted in return In other words, when the ter
ritOry oLce under the control OF Great Britain was
divided the partition related TO the land alone, the
rights upon the waters remaining common TO ves-
sells OF both nations. This the Brt0ns have always
denied.
the meetings Of the conference were held In the
diplomatic reception room at the State Depart
ment and occurred at intervals OF two or three
days until the approach OF the holidays when an
adjournment was taken until the 7Jh OF January,
who was bl0ckaded In Winnipeg by snow, forced
delay until the 11th. The nesting then went on
as usual until about three weeks ago, when an un-
usual activity was shown by meeting every day.
no MAXI THE TR.ATY PUBLIC.
The washington correspondent OF the New York
World says: at is said that President Cleveland
who has been duly informed from time to time Of
the progress made by the Commissioners, has pre-
pared a letter which Will be sent 70 the senate
simultaneously with the treaty, asking that IT'S
provisions be made public at once. II Is the Gus
tom 70 make public the contents OF AL state
papers presented to the Canadian parliament and
as this treaty Will be laid before that body upon
win be given to The press BY that date In any
event."