The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-03-23
ESTABLISHED 1850.
IL. II. ESTILL. EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
FRYE AND CANADA'S FISH
THE PRESIDENT REPLIES TO THE
SENATOR'S RESOLUTION.

A Communication from Secretary Bay
ard Explains Why Minutes and Pro-
tocols OF the Daily Proceedings Were
Not Kept--The Claim for Damages
Met with One from Behring Sea.
WASHINGTON, March 22-The President
cent brief message to the Senate to day in
,o,lv to the resolution introduced by Sen
ator Frye on March 10, requesting the
President to transmit to the Senate copies
of the minutes and daily protocols of the
meetings of the Commissioners who nego-
tiated the fisheries treaty with Great
britain. He indorsed copy of letter
received from the Secretary of State on
the subject, and said he hoped the infor
nation contained therein would prove a
satisfactory answer to the resolution. Fol
lowing is the text of the letter referred to:
To the President:
The undersigned, to whom the Senate reolu-
tjon of March 49, 1888, was referred by the
President, respectfully reports: That special
message Of the President of March 5, 1888, in
concluding the correspondence between the
United States and Great Britain in relation to
American fishery rights in British North Ameri-
can waters, was communicated to the Senate,
and together with what had been previously
sent them placed that honorable body in full
possession of the complete documentary bis
tory which preceded the conference of the
plenipotentiaries in this Capital on Nov. p last.
Together with the special message referred to,
the full text of the joint protocols agreed to,
and duty signed by the Secretaries, with the
approval OF the conference, were also Trans
mitted.
In conformity with the invariable course pur-
sued in previous negotiations when the confer
eDce met it was agreed that an honorable con-
1-l,r, 4 nasafn dnlr rhDrQ
tions and that only results should be anuounc-
ed and such other matters as the joint proto
cost should sign under direction of the pleni-
potentiaries With this understanding.
which was strictly kept, the
discussion proceeded through its numerous
and prolonged sessions with that freedom and
nformality in the exchange of views which the
nature of the negotiation required and without
which its progress would have been materially
hampered and any agreement rendered very
difficult Of attainment. No Stenographer was
admitted to the conference, and no minutes or
daily protocals were agreed upon and signed by
the Joint protocolists other than those already
transmitted to the Senate. Upon the conclusion
of the treaty, some members of the conference
at once left the city, under pressure OF other
duties, and it is thus probable that some state
ments were excluded that otherwise might
have been placed in the joint proto-
coils After the conference had finally
adjourned, and Sir Cha les Tupper had
returned to Ottawa request was received
through the British Minister that assent be
given to the publication of a certain proposal
which had been submitted by the British pleni-
potentiaries and declined by the American.
Consent as desired was given, and l enclose
herewith a copy of the papers referred to.
Every point submitted to the con-
ference is covered by the papers
now in possession Of the Senate-excepting the
question of damages sustained by our fisher
men, which, being met by a counter claim for
damages to British vessels in Behr.ng sea, was
left for future settlement. To the discretion
and control of the executive are entrusted the
initiation and conduct Of negotiating treaties
and without a guarantee of mutual
and implicit confidence between agents, nego-
tations for voluntary adjustment of vexed
questions in controversy between nations could
not hopefully be entered upon. The presenta-
ton, modification, adoption, or withdrawal of
propositions are naturally and necessarily
accompanied by oral arguments and eXplana-
tory statements, which it is impossible to accu-
rately reproduce and without which just I'M
derstanding of the proc ocsedings could not be
had. Respectfully submitted,
T. F. BAYARD.