Wichita eagle., 1888-08-24

o.
For Missouri and Kansas: Fair; mer;
rains in southwestern Kansas; war
variable winds, generally southernly.
AMESSAGe.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 23.-The president
sent the following message to congress this
afternoon:
To the congress: The rejection by the
senate of the treaty lately negotiated for
the settlement and adjustment of the diff
culties existing between the United States
and Great Britain concerning the rights
and privileges of American fishermen in
the ports and waters of British North
America seems to Justify survey of the
condition to which the pending question is
thus RENTED. Deeming it my duty for
the preservation of important American
interests, which were directly involved,
and In view OF all the details Of the situa-
1ion, to attempt by negotiation TO remedy
existing wrongs and to finally terminate
by a fair and just treaty these ever
recurring causes of difficulty. | fully be-
lieve that the treaty just rejected by the
senate was well suited to the eXigencies,
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 sac
rificing in the least our national pride or
ulSDllg. i ALI Quibc t1db ntlUItl
my opinion of the value of the rejected nor
the motives which prompted its negOtia-
ton are of importance in the light of the
judgment of the senate thereupOn, but
1t is of Importance to note that this treaty
has been rejected without any apparent
disposition Oh the part of the senate to al
ter 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
methods of conference and agreement, the
treaty upon this subject concluded in 1883,
through disagreements as to the meaning
of its terms, has been a fruitful source of
irritation and trouble. Our citizens en-
gagged in fishing enterprises in waters
ad jacent to Canada have been subjected to
numerous YeXationS, lnterferenCeS and
annoyances: their vessels have been seized
upon pretexts which appeared to be en-
tirely inadmissable, and they have been
otherwise treated by the Canadian authori-
ties and officials in a manner ineXcusably
harsh and oppressive, This conduct 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 inter-
est We deny that treaty agreements
Justify these acts and we further maintain
that aside from any treaty restraints of
disputed Interpretation the relative posi-
tions of the United States and Canada as
neighborS, the growth of our joint COM
merce, the development and prosperity of
both countries. which amicable relations
surely guarantee, and above the liberality
always extended by the United States to
the people of Canada furnished motives
for kindness a,1I consideration biubar nd
better than treaty covenants. While Keen
ly sensitive TO all that WAS eXaSperating in
the condition, and by no means lndiSpoSed
to support the just complaints of our in
jured citizens, still having thus been de-
clined, L am by no means disposed to
abandon the interests and the rights of
our people in the premises or to neglect
their grievances; and | therefore
turn to the contemplation of
plan of retaliation as mode
which still remains of treating the situa-
ton. | am not unmindful of the respon-
sibility assumed in adoptiong this line of
conduct, nor do fail in the least TO ap-
preciate its serious consequences. 1t Will
be impossible to injure our Canadian
neighbors by retaliatory measures without
infiicting some damage upon our own
citizens. This results from our proximity,
our community of interests and the in
evitable commingling of the business
enterprises which have been developed by
mutual activity. Plainly stated, the
policy of national retaliation manifestly
embraces the intiiction of the greatest
harm upon those who have injured us
with the least possible damage TO our
selves. There is also an evident propriety
as well as an invitation to morals, found
IN visiting upon the offending party the
same measure or kind of treatment of
which we complain and as far as possible
d s,a t,A i L, ~
things the plan of retaliation, if entered
upon, should be thorough and vigorous
These considerations led me at this time
to invoke the aid and counsel of the con-
gresS and its support in such a further
grant of power as seems to be necessary
and desirable to render effective the policy
j have indicated The congress has
already passed law, which received exec
utlve assertion the Sd day of March. 1857,
providing that in case American fishing
vessels, being or visiting in the waters or
MT any of the ports of the British domin-
ions OF North America. should be or lately
had been deprived of the rights to which
they were entitled by treaty or law. or if
they Were denied certain other privileges
therein specified, or if veXed and har-
raised in the enjoyment of the same the
president might deny TO vessels and their
masters and crews of the British donin-
ions of North America any entrance into
The waters ports or harbors of the United
States, and also deny entry into any port
or place of the United States OF any
products of said dominion or other goods
coming from said dominion to the United
States. While shall not hesitate upon
proper occasions TO enforce this act. il
would seem to be unnecessary TO suggest
that If such enforcement is limited in such
a manner as shall result in the least posi-
bic injury 10 our own people the effect
would probably be entirely inadequate TO
The accomplishment of the purpose desired
deem it my duty. therefore. TO call at
tention TO the congress to certain particu-
lars in the action of the authorities of the
dominion of Canada. in addition TO the
general allegations already made, which
appear to be in such marked contrast to
the liberal and friendly disposition of our
country, as in my opinion TO call such
legislation as will. npon the princi-
pies already stated. properly sup
piement the power 10 inaugurate legis-
lation already vested to the executive
already acted by the generous and neigh
boriy spirit which has characterized our
legislation. Our tariff laws have, since
1915. been so far waived in favor of Canada
as TO allow free of duty the transit across
the territory of the United States of prop
erty arriving at our ports and destined to
Canada or exported from Canada to other
countries When the treaty of Washing
ton was negotiated in 1871 between the
United States and Great Britain having