Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-08-24
Their Own Medicine
The President Proposes to Give
the Canadians.
A MESSAGE ON THE FISH IMBROGLIO.

message 10 CotlSFess uu Tue suDlect, anu re-
taliatory bill was Immediately intro
duced in the house in accordance with |
the sugg stions in the message TIE exec
utive document is as follows:
To TIE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES: |
The rejection by the senate of the treaty |
lately negotiated for tn settlement and ad- |
justment OF the differences existing between |
the United States and Great Britain concern |
ing the rights and privileges OF American |
fishermen in the ports and waters of British |
North America seems to justify u survey of |
the condition to which the pending question
is thus RENTED.
The treaty upon this subject concluded in
1913, through disagreements as to the mean
ing of its terms, has been fruitful source
Of irritation and trouble. Our citizens en-
Gagged in fishing enterprises in waters ada
cont to Canada have been subjected 10 nu-
merous vexatious interfereuces and annoy.
ances, their vessels have been seized upon
pretexts which appeared to be entirely iuad-
missabie and they have been otherwise
treated by the Canadian authorities and Off
Gals in a manner inexcusably harsh and OPP
pressive. This conduct has been justified by
Great Britain aud Canada by the claim that
ground that it was necessary to the proper
protection of Canadian interests We deny
that treaty agreements justify these acts,
and We further maintain that, aside from
any treaty restraints or disputed interpre-
tation, the relative positions of the United
States and Canada as near neighborS, the
growth of our joint commerce, the develop
lnent and prosperity of both countries,
which amicable relations surely guarantees,
and above all, the hberaiity always extended
by the United States to the people of Can
ada, furnished motives for kindness and con-
| sideration higher and better than treaty COW
enants.
While keenly sensitive to all that was ex-
aSperating in the condition, and by no means
| indisposed to support the just complaints of
| our citizens, | still deemed it my duty for
the preservation of important American in
terests which were directly involved, and in
visw of all the details Of the situation, to at
tempt by negotiation to remedy existing
wrongs and to finally terminate, by fair
and just treaty, these ever-recurring causes
of difficulty. | fully believe that the treaty
| just rejected by the senate was well suited to
the exigency, and that its provisions were
adequate for our security in the future from
vexatious incidents and for the promotion of
friendly neighborhood and intimacy, without
sacrificing in the least our national pride or
dignity.
am quite conscious that neither my opin-
ion of the value of the rejected treaty, nor
the motives which prompted its negotiation,
are OF Importance in the light of the judg-
ment of the senate thereupon. But it is of
Importance to notice that this treaty has
been rejected without any apparent DISPOSE
ton on the part of the senate to alter or
amend its provisions, and with the evident
intention, not wanting expression, that no
negotiation should at present be concluded
touching the matter at issue
The cooperation necessary for the adjust
ment of the long standing national differ
ences, with which We have to deal by meth
DDS of conference and agreement having
thus been declined, l am by no means dis
posed to abandon the interests and the right,
OF our people in the premises, nor to neglect
their grievances, and l. therefore. turn to
the contemplation of plan of retaliation a.
a mode, which still remains, of treating the
situation
| am not unmindful of the gravity OF the
responsibility assumed in adopting this line
Of conduct. nor do fail in the least to appre
ciate its serious consequences 1t will be i'm
possible to injure our Canadian neighbors by
retalatory measures without inflictins som
damage upon our own citizens. THIS result
from cur proximity, our community of Inter
ests and the inevitable commingling of tn
. business enterprises which have been devel
op-d by mutual activity
| n1N-s of ba If ntal;
alton manifestly embraces the infection o
the greatest harm upon those who have in
iured Us. with the least possible damage L
ourselves. There is also an evident prophet,
as well as an invitation to moral supper
J found in visiting upon the offending part
the same measure or kind of treatment q
which complain. and rs far as possbl
, within the same lines. And above all thing
the plan Of retaliation, if entered upon
/ should be thorough and vigorous. Thes
, considerations lead me at this time to invok
the aid and counsel of the congress, and il
support in such further grant OF power a
seems 10 me necessary and desirable to rer
Ter effective the policy have indicated
Congress has already passed law whic
received executive assent on the Sd day Q
March, 1885,, providing that in case Amer
can fishing vessels being or visiting in til
waters, Or at any OF the ports OF the BIRTHS
/ | Dnminions OF North America, should be, {
lately had been. deprived of the rights I
which they were entitled by treaty or Law
OF if they were denied certain other priv
| ieges therein specified, or vexed and ha
lssed in the enjoyment OF the same, tb
| president might deny to vessels and master
and crews of the British Dominons of Mort
America any entrance the into waters, port
or harbors of the United States, and also d,
n ny entry into any port or place of tn
d United States If any products of said dc
l. minions or other goods coming from sal,
: 1ominions to the United States.
+ While shall not hesitate on proper OF
r casion, to enforce this act, it would seem
J be unnecessary to suggest that, if such e
n forcement Is limited i'll such manner
=. shall result III the least possible injury to on
n own people the effect would probably bee
Is tirely inadequate to the accomplishment
IS the purpose desired l deem it nv dut
IF therefore, to call the attention of congre
e to certain particulars in the action of the a
thorities OF the Dominion of Canada, in a
dition to the general allegations alreat
made, which appear to be in such mark
1t contrast to the liberal and friendly dispo
a ton of our country in my opinion to CO
* for Such legislation as will, upon the prime
a. pies already stated, properly supplement t
g power to inaugurate retaliation already We
a- ed in the executive.
a. Actuated by the generous and neighbor
k spirit which has characterized our legis
n ton, our tariff laws have since 1866 been
I'd far waived in favor of Canada as to allt
= free OF duty the transit across the terrific
OF the United States OF property arriving
our ports and destined to Canada, or expo
ed from Canada to other foreign countries.
~ When the treaty of Washington was nee
=, tiated in 1871 between the United States a
90 Great Britain, having for its object We
- largely the modification of the treaty
in 1918, the privileges above referred to We
90 made reciprocal and given in return by Ca
a ada to the United States in the followi
~ language, contained in the twenty ninth
"A ticle Of said treaty:
no. fThe president here quotes the said artic
| whiob is in affact iust what he etatas ahoy