River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1888-03-01
THE FISHERIES.
Text of the Proposed New Treaty
with Great Britain.
The President Expresses Satisfaction with
Its PrOvisions-C Concessions to Ameri-
can FIshermen-A Tempo
rary Agreement.


rary Agreement.
SETTLING A vExED QUESTION.
WASHINGTON Feb. ~ The Senate yes
terday made public the fisheries treaty with
the Presidents letter OF transmittaL The
Presidents letter, with the historical part
omitted, reads as follows:
" To THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES:
In my annual message, transmitted 10 Con-
gress in December, 1886, it was stated that
negotiations were then pending for the
settlement OF the questions growing out
Of the rights claimed by American fisher
men In British North American waters. AS a
result OF such negotiations treaty has been
agreed upon between her Brittanic Majesty
and the United States, concluded and
signed in this capital under my direction and
authority on the 18TH OF February insk and
which l now have the honor to submit to the
Senate. with the recommendation that it shall
recelYe the consent OF that body as provided
in the constitution, in order that the ratihca-
ton thereof may be duly exchanged and the
treaty carried into effect.
The treaty meets my approval because I
believe il supplies satisfactory, practical and
final adjustment upon basis honorable and
Just TO both parties OF the dncut ard vexed
question to which 1t relates l believe
the treaty will be found to contain just, hon
orable, and therefore satisfactory solution
OF the difficulties which have clouded
our relations with our neighbors on our north
ern borders Especially satisfactory do I be-
lieve the proposed arrangeL.ent VIII be found
by those Of our citizens who are engaged in
the open sea fisheries adjacent TO the Canadian
coast, and resortng to those ports and harbors
under treaty provisions and the rule of inter
national law.
The proposed delmitation OF the lines Of
the exclusive fisheries from the common Ash
cries VIII give certainty and security as to the
af Nhafp 1afrff fFfRa 10 ffo1H
land theory of imaginary lines is
abandoned by Great Britain, aud
the specification in the treaty OF certain
named bays especially provided for gives salts
faction to the inhabitants OF the shores with
out subtracting materially from the value of
convenience OF the fishery rights OF Americans.
The uninterrupted navigation OF the Strait
OF CansO IS expressly ana for the first time
affirmed, and the four purposes for which
our fishermen under the treaty OF 1918 were al
lowed to enter the bays and harDors of Can
ada and Newfoundland within the belt of
three miles are placed under a fair and liberal
construction, and their enjoyment secured
without such conditions and restrictions as in
the past have embarrassed and obstructed
them so seriously.
The entorceia ent of penalties for unlawful
ly fish ng or preparing 10 1ish within the inshore
and exclusive waters of Canada and Newfound-
land is to be accomplished under safeguards
against oppressive or arbitrary action, thus
protecting the defendant fishermen from pun
tshment in advance Of trial, delays and incon-
venience and unnecessary expense
"The history of the events of the last two
years shows that no feature of Canadian adj
rninistration was more harassing and injurious
than the compulsion upon our fishing vessels to
make formal entry and clearance on every oc-
casiOn OF temporarily seeking shelter In Can
adam ports and harbors Such Inconvenience
is provided against in the proposed treaty, and
"a Fra ~ #t..a
plant is removed
The articles permitting our fishermen TO
obtain provisions and the ordinary supplies of
trading vessels on their homeward voyages,
and under which they are accorded the further
and even more important privilege on all
casions OF purchas ng such casual or need
ful provisions and supplies as are ordi-
narily granted TO trading vessels, are OF great
Importance and value. The licenses, which
are to be granted without charge and
on application, in order to enable our fisher
men to enjoy these privileges, are reasonable
and proper checks in the hands of the local
authorities TO identify the recipients and pre-
vent abuse, and can form no impedment to
those who intend 10 use them fairly. The hos
pitality secured for our vessels in all cases OF
actual distress with liberty to unload and sell
and tranship their cargoes, Is full and liberal.
These provisions VIII secure the substantial
enjoyment OF the treaty gifts OF our fisher
ton has been steadily made in the correspond
eace OF the Department of State and our Mn
lister at London and by the American negoti-
ators of the present treaty. The right of our
fishermen under the treaty OF 1878 did not
extend to the procurement OF distinctive fishery
supplies in Canadian ports and harbors, ana
one item supposed to be essential-tO wit, bait
was plainly denied them by the explicit and
definite words OF that treaty OF 1918, empha-
sized by the course of the negotiation and ex-
press decisions which preceded the conclusion
OF that treaty.
=" The treaty now submitted contains no pro-
vision affecting tariff duties, and, independ-
emily OF the position assumed upon the part
OF the United States that no alteration
in our t1TiG u other domestic legislation could
be made as the price or consideration of
obtaining the rights of cur citizens secured by
treaty it was considered more expedient to
allow any change in the revenue laws of the
United States to be made by the ordinary ex-
ercse of legislative viii and in promotion OF
the public interests. Therefore, the addition
TO the free list OF fish, fsh-on, whale
and seal-oil, etc, rected in the last article
OF the treaty, is wholly left to
the action of Congress; and in connection
Herewith the Canadian and Newfoundland
right 10 regulate sales OF bait and other fishing
supplies within their own jurisdiction is recog-
nzed, and the right OF our fishermen to freely
purchase these things is made contingent by
modification Of our tariff laws.
Our social and commercial intercourse with
those populations who have been placed upon
our borders and made forever our neighbors is
made apparent by list of United States
common carriers, marine and inlans, con-
Meeting their lines with Canada VIII CHI was
returned by the Secretary of the Treas
ury to the Senate on the 1th day OF
February, 1883. in answer TO a resolution of
that body, and this IS instructive as to the
great volume OF mutually profitable inter
changes which has come into existence during
the last half century. This intercourse is still
but partially developed, and if the ameable
enterprise and wholesome rivalry between the
two populations IS not INSTRUCTED the promise
Of the future is full of the fruits OF I'M
bounded prosperity on both sides of the Dor Ter.
The treaty now submitted to you has been
framed in spirit OF liberal equity and rec pro-
Cal benefits in the conviction that mutual al
vantage and convenience are the OILY perma-
nent foundation Of peace and frie .dship be-
tween States. and that with the adoption
OF the agreement now placed before the Senate
a beneficial and sat sfactory intercourse be-
tween the two countries VIII be establ shed so
as TO secure perpetual peace and harmony.
an connection with the treaty herewith sub
mitted deem il also my duty to transmit TO
the Senate a written offer or agreement, in the
nature OF a modus vvendi, rendered after the
conclusion OF the treaty on the part OF the Brit
peaceful relations during the period that may
be required for the consideration of the treaty
by the respective governments and for the en-
actmeut of the necessary legislation to carry
fits provisions into effect if approved. This pa
per, freely and on their own motion signed by
the British conferees, not only extends ad-
vantages to our fishermen pending the ratifi-
cation Of the treaty, but appears 10 have been
dict ated by a friendly and amicabe spirit.
" am given 10 understand that the other
Governments concerned in this treaty VIII
within q few days, in accordance with their
methods OF conducting public business submit
sai3 treaty to their respective legislatures,
when i, will be at once publ shed to the world.
In view OF such action it appears 70 be adVisa-
bic thar, by publication here, early and full
knowledge Of what has been done IN the prem
ises should be afforded to our people.
II therefore beg leave respectfully TO sug-
gest that said treaty SHd all such correspond
ence, messages and documents relating TO the
same as may b. deemed important TO accom-
plish these purposes be at once made public by
the order OF your honorable body.
"GRovER CLEVELAND.
Executive Mans on, Feb. ~ 1888. ="
TIE TREATY
The text of the treaty and protocols is as
follows:
WHEREAS Differences have arisen concern
ing the Interpretation OF article OF the con-
vention OF October 20, 1918, the United States
OF America and her Majesty the Queen Of the
United Kingdom OF Great Britain and Ireland,
being mutually DESTROYS o. removing all causes
OF misunderstood rg in relation thereto. and
OF promoting friendly intercourse and good
ne3ghborhood between the United States and
-