The Brookhaven leader., 1888-08-30
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Special Message to Congress on the
Fisheries Question.
A Vigorous Retaliatory Policy Proposed,
and Aid and Authority Asked to
Garry the Same Into PraoA
tical Effect.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 2L-The Pres ident
sent to Congress yesterday d message in
reference to the rejection Of the
Fisheries treaty by the Senate.
He recommends immediate legisla-
ton comforting upon the Executive
the power TO suspend by proclamation
the operation OF all laws and regulations
permitting the transit OF goods, wares
and merchandise in bond across or over
the territory Of the United States to or
from Canada. Legislation is also recon-
mended that will give Canadian vessels
navigating our canals precisely the same
advantages granted TO American vessels
in Canada, and that both he measured
by the same rule OF discrimination. The
same Communication in its full text is as
follows:
To THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES:
The rejection by the Senate Of the treaty late
ly negotiated for the settlement and adjust
ment Of the differences existing between the
United States and Great Britain concerning
the rights and privileges Of American fisher
men in the ports and waters OF British North
America, seems to Justify survey Of the con-
dition TO which the pending Question is thus
temitted The treaty upon this subject con
moaning OF its terms, has been fruitful source
OF Irritation and trouble. Our citizens en-
gagged in fishing enterprises in waters adjacent
TO Canada have been subjected TO numerous
rexations, interferences and annoyances.
Fhhir tess-ls have been seized upon protests
which appeared 10 be entirely inHdHJssahle,
and they have been otherwise treated by the
Canadian authorities and officials in manner
inexcusably harsh and oppressive. This con-
duct has been justified by Great Britain and
Canada by the claim that the treaty
OF 1918 permitted It, and upon
the 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 inter
pretatlons, the relative positions Of the United
States and Canada as near neighbors, the
growth CT cur !ort comm cree, the develop
ment and prosperity Of both cOuutl.cs, which
amicable relations surely guarantee. and
above all. the liberality always extended by
the United States to the people
Of Canada furnished motives for
kindness ana consideration higher and bet
ter than treaty covenants. While keenlT
sensitive to all that was exasperating in the
condition, and by no means indisposed to sup
port the just complaints OF our injured citizens,
] still deemed il my duty for the preservation
Of important American interests when were
GirC cts involved and IN view OF all the details
Of the situation, to attempt by tegotiation
to remedy existing wrongs and TO
finally terminate by fair and
Just treaty these evcr-recurrlng causes OF DIM
Guilty fully believe that the treaty just re-
jected by the Senate was we'll suited TO the
exiaencS and that its ptovisiOns were adequate
Tor our security IN the future from VeNatlous
incidents and for the promotion OF friendly
neighborhOod and intimacy. without sacrificing
Il tln
am quite conscious that neither my opinion OF
the value of the rejected treaty
nor the motives which prompted its
negotiation are OF Importance in the light OF
The judgment dt tie Senate thereupOn. But
II is OF importance TO iIOtC that ms treaty has
been rejected without any apparent disposition
on the part OF the Senate to alter or amend
It's provisions, and with the evident Intention,
not wanting expression, that 10 n"Potiatiou
should at present be concluded touching the
matter. The cooperation necessary for the
adjustment OF the long gstanding National
differences with which we have to deal by
nethods Of conference and agreement having
thus been declined, am by no means disposed
TO abandon the interests and the rights OF our
people in the premises or TO neglect their
grievances and I therefore turn to the con-
temptation OF plan OF retaliation as mode
which still remains of treating the situation,
/ am not unmlndful of the gravity OF the re-
sponsibility assumed in adopting this line OF
conduct; nor do fail in the least 10 appreci-
ate its serious consequences. II
will be impossible to iniure our Canadian
neighbors by retaliation measures without in
ficting some damage upon our own citizens
This results from our proximity, our commu-
nty OF interests and the inevitable cOmngling
of the business enterprises which have been
developed by mutual activity. Plainly stated
the policy of National retaliation manltesty
embraces the infictiun of the greatest harm
upon those who have injured us, with the least
possible damage TO ourselves There
is also an evident propriety as well
as an invitation to moral support
found in visiting upon the offending party the
same measure or kind Of treatment OF which
we complain, and as far as possible within the
same lines and above all things the plan OF
retaliation, if entered upon, should be thorough
and vigorous. These considerations lead me at
this time 10 invoke the aid and council OF the |
Congress and its support in such further !
grant Of power as seems to me necessary and |
to render effective the policy ! have |
The Congress has already |
passed a law which received execu- |
tive assent on the third day |
Of March. 1887, providing that in case Ameri- |
can fishing vessels, being or visiting in the |
waters or at any OF the ports OF the British do |
minions OF North America, should be, or lately |
had been, deprived OF these rights, TO which |
they were entitled by treaty or law, or II they |
were denied certain other privileges therein |
specified, or vexed and harrassed in the enjoy |
ment OF the same the President might deny |
10 vessels and their masters and crews OF the |
British dominions Of North America any en- |
trance into the waters, ports or harbors |
Of the United States, and also deny entry in TO |
any port or place of the United States OF any |
product OF said Dominion or other gOols com |
ing from said Dominion to the United States. |
While shall not hesitate, upon proper occa- |
sion, TO enforce this act, 1t would seem TO be |
unnecessary to suggest thati such enforce !
ment is limited in such a manner as shall re- |
suit in the least possible injury TO our own |
people, the effect would probably |
be entirely inadequate TO the
of the purpose desired. l
deem il my duty, therefore, to call the atten- |
tion OF the Congress to certain particulars In
the action OF the authorities OF the Dominion
OF Canada in addition 20 the general allega-
tions already made, which appeared to be in
such marked contrast to the liberal and friend
ly disposition of our country as. in my opinion,
TO call for such legislation as will, upon the
principles already stated, properly supplement
the power TO inaugurate retaliation already
vested in the Executive.
Actuated by the generous and neighborly
spirit which has characterized our legislation.
our tariff laws have, since 1856, been so far
W aiyed in favor OF Canada as to allow free OF
duty the transit across the territory of the
United States of property arriving at our
ports and destined TO Canada, or exported
from Canada to other foreign countries. When
the treaty of Washington was negotiated in
1871, between the United States and Great Brit
ain, having for its object very largely the
modification OF the treaty of 1918, the privileges
above referred to were reciprocal and given in
return by Canada to the United States in the
following language contained in the Twenty
ninth article Of said treaty.