Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1888-09-06
THE PRESIDENTS RECORD.

The PRESIDENTS RECORD.
New York Tribune
The Presidents desperate attempt tC
retrieve the diplomatic reputation of hi:
Administration renders a review of its
Canadian policy timely. When he en-.
tered upon office a transition stage in
the relations of the United States and
the Dominion was approaching. The
| fisheries clauses of the Treaty of Wash
ington had proved an unsatisfactory and
| inequitable arrangement so far as Amer
| lean interests were concerned. An eX-
orbitant price for inshore fishing rights
had been exacted by the Halifax arbi-
traitors. The award of $5,500,000 was
paid under protest, and when the period
which it embraced had passed there was
no disposition on the part of the United
States to reopen negotiations for a re-
newal of the contract. Experience had
demonstrated that the Canadian inshOre
fisheries were not worth as much to
American fishermen as the privilege of
free entry to the New England market
was to the Dominion fishing fleet. Ac-
cordingly, notice was given to the Brit
ish Government of the abrogation of the
fisheries articles. By act of Congress
and President Arthur's proclamation
these articles were to lapse on July 1,
1885. The American fishing fleet had
known for two years what would hap
pen, and were not only fully prepared
for the change, but very eager to have
their home market protected against
their Canadian rivals.
This was the situation when the Pres
ident was inaugurated. Congress had
abrogated the fisheries articles; Presi-
dent Arthur had proclaimed the change
of policy, and the American fishermen
were delighted with the prospect of Sc
curing relief from the burdens of an in
equitable treaty. What was the first
diplomatic act of the new Admiuistra-
ton in these circumstances? Secretary
Bayard having been approached by the
astute British Minister affected alarm on
account of the reversion to the Treaty
of 1918 in the middle of fishing sea-
son. He gratefully accepted an offer
from Canada for temporary extension
of the inshore fishing privilege, provided
the President in his first message would
recommend settlement of the fisheries
dispute by arbitration. The British Min
lister was thus allowed in the first in
stance to dictate a passage of the mes
sage relating to the fisheries. The alb
rogated clauses were continued in force
for six months without authority of
Congress. A policy in the interest of
American fishermen, which had received
the approval of Senate and House, and
had been officially proclaimed by Pres
ident Arthur, was reversed before the
new Administration had been in power
for three months.
The President carried out Secretary
Bayard's compact with the British Min
lister, but the Senator rejected by deci-
sive vote his recommendation for arbi-
tration. The season of 1886 opened
with the Treaty of 1918 in operation,
and the first series of outrages on Amer
lean commerce occurred on the Domin-
ion seaboard. Congress passed a Retail
iation measure without division on par
ty lines. The President made no at
tempt to enforce this legislation during
that season, nor in the following year, al
though as many as four hundred Amer
ican vessels were boarded, seized, ,harass-
assed and subjected to expense or an
noyance on the Dominion seaboard. He
met Congress with a complaint that the
retaliatory powers were inadequate, and
the declaration that diplomacy was the
only remedy. The Senate promptly en-
larged those powers in 1887, Democrats
and Republicans voting as one man.
Then was witnessed strange spectacle.
The Administration exerted all its influ
ence for months to prevent the passage
of any Retaliation measure. The Bel
mont and Manning projects were brought
forward apparently for the express pur-
pose Of blocking legislation altogether
on this subject. This maneuver was de-
feated by the passage of the Senate bill
in the House largely by Republican
votes.
The Administration having been twice
armed with authority from Congress,
evaded its responsibility, neglected to
enforce the Retaliation acts, and purSu-
ed its diplomatic adventures. After
hundreds of American vessels had been
harassed and denied their commercial
rights it made humiliating treaty of
surrender without securing reparation
for wrongs suffered by American citi-
zens or for insults offered to the Ameri-
can flag. At the same time it had load
ed Canadian corporations with gratuities
worth millions of dollars to them in
their warfare upon American commerce
and railways. This is the Administra-
ton that suddenly bounces upon the
scene like circus clown in the stripes
and spangles Of the American flag,
shrieking that it will retaliate and fight
hard if Congress will only furnish 1t
with a larger pair of boxing gloves.