New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-02-17
now THE CANADIANS TAKE 1T.
PRIME MINISTER MACDONALD RETICENT.
But THERE Is A GENERAL FEELING OF CONFIDENCE
THAT rHF DOMiNIov MAS NOT LOST
HEAVILY by THE TREATY.

HEAVILY by THE TRFA \.
OTTAWA Feb 1s (speciaD.-The versions Of tbs
Fishery Treaty tcesraphed here day created con
sternafon and wrath among the Opposition throughout
the Dominion. The reported abandonment OF the
Canadian contention on the headanfs question was
denounced as incredible and impossible Members Of
the Government from the Premier downward and their
supporters cautiously noncomm's Their
nou hs are closed until the treaty laid before Parla
ment for ratification.
SIR John A. Macdonald, Primo Minister Of the Do
minion, when spoken to the subject by THE
TRIBUNE representative, said unhesatingly that no
had not yet seen the treaty, although. OF course he
knew what the main points of the arrangement were
lie had read the particulars telegraphed to the
press from Washington and New York An outline OF
these was given, namely, first, the abandonment oi
Canadas contention TO the besdlands and the re
arrangement of the three- mile limit " in sccordancc'
as telegraphed, with the Views entertained 10y all
civilized nations secondly, the satisfaction of sir
Charles Tupper with the result Of his mission thirdly
the treaty to be ratified by Great Britain
THE PRIME MINISTER'S CAUTION.
Sir John listened attentlvey and said the staio-
ment Is mainly accurate, but not entirely so. cor
rectlon Of the inaccuracies was invited Tho Primo
Minister replied that he would not be able to make
statement on the subject beyond what hs had Just
sed until the ratification at Is the duty OF Min
isters.p he added, to defer speaking on 20 matter
until the papers arc laid before Parliament The In
tlmat.on that 1t would afford THE TRIBUNE pleasure
TO make known the satisfaction that the Government
must doubtless feel at the successful termination of
tho abors of Commission elected gracious smile
and the repetition Of the assurance that tn versions
telegraphcd were mainly but not entirely accurate.
DOUBT ABOUT TIE uEADLANDs QUE TIoN.
Another member of the Government was next seen
He said, relates to the abandonment OF the head.
lands question: at all depends on what you call
| Anen-
an contention IS entirely accepted and the Canadian
contenton is entirely abandoned advise you TO take
the statement cum granO sails. DO you think no
continued the Commissioners representing this conn
try and England would put their name to surrender
Of the invlolable rights for which Canada has been
contcndIng for hundred years You may take It
for granted that they have not done So"
perhaps there is quld pro quo"
81 am not free to say more than this, that you may
bs sure Canadas interests have not been sacrificed
either as regards the headlands or anything else'
A PLAUSIBLE sUGGEsTrN.
The third person visited, Government official IN
a position emitting him to be considered unusually
us, informed suggested that possibly the Commission
b.d been guided their settlement by the precedent
furnished by the North German Confederation when
the contentious alike of rights inside all headlands ON
tho one side, aud of tho thIeo-miie limit inside and
outside headlands on tho other side, well the
proposed compromise restricting headland rights to
bays six miles across, were dismissed, and agroe
ment como to, giving full ship inside all head
lands In bays ten miles less and applying
the throe-mle limit to all bays morc than ten miles
across This or something like II, n accepted by tho
Commissioners would settle the Behring Sea question
and omen the bays on tho American coasts TO Can.
adams on tho same terms tho Canadian bays would
bs opened to tho Americans lie thought such an
arrangement very good give and takc way OF com
| promising the difficulty.
HAS CANADA LOST OR GANEDf
G. E Foster, Minister Of Marine and Fisheries,
said: "since the Convention OF 1881 more or loss
friction has from time to time been developed oy its
enforcement and tho disputes arising from the same
This has been sofencd at different periods by tho
sdoption Of ile reciprocity and Washington treaties
~As~soively but the difficulties were renewed upon