The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-06
THE FISHERY TREATY.

Secretary Bayard Points Out Important Ad-
vantages Secured by the United States.
WASHINGTON, March 5.-The President has
transmitted to Congress the remaining docu-
ments and protocols relating to the fisheries
treaty, together with letter from Secretary
Bayard. In his letter Secretary Bayard says:
.'An inspection of this documentary history
will serve to demonstrate the practical and inn
portant results accomplished by the treaty now
pending before the Senate, by which the ques-
ton of the Interpretation and administration OF
the treaty of 1918 between the United States
and Great Britain is transferred and elevated
from the obscurity into which it had been
suffered TO lapse sincethe date of that conven-
tion. and its restoration from the practical con.
troll of MINOR and local officials Of the Canadian
maritime provinces. Until the treaty
pending was concluded, no available
Piled for the Inconsistencies incongruties
and IN instifiablo construction OF the treaty OF
1878. TO which our fishermen had for year after
year been sn objected. and which, by the progress
of gradual encroachments of Canadian iegisla-
tion and local port regulations had almost
the treaty. into sources of Inconvenience and
expense An examination of the published lists
contained in this correspondence and laid before
Congress will disclose that the pretexts for
causes alleged for the arrests. fines. detentions
and other embarrassments of American fishing
vessels during the years 1886 and 1887 were
based upon alleged infractions of the treaty OF
1918, or of Canadian laws passed in professed
execution of that treaty. All such vexetious
action is recorded in the list of seizures. ETC.,
ls met and rendered i'm possible of occurrence in
the future by the provisions of the treaty now
before the Senate. and the amplest enjoyment
by the United States fishermen of treaty
rights and the customary hospitality
due under international law and
comfy is secured in the ports and harbors of
eastern Canada and Newfoundland The cor
resDondence will serve also TO establish the fact
that prior to the treaty OF reciprocity of 1854,
and subsequent to it's abrogation, and in the
years 1870 and 1877. the vexarious and harassing
administration by the Canadian authorities
practically unchecked. AS neither the treaty of
1854 nor that OF 1871 contained any alluson to
the wrongs thus inflicted upon United States
fishermen, and neither convention contrive6
any remedy provision against their renewal
and repetition. 1t became necessary that such a
remedy should longer be unprovided. IL is
believed that such remedy is practically and
fully supplied bv the treaty now pending. and
that by its terms, now. and for the first time
since 1918. just and joint interpreta-
tion is agreed to by both governments and
placed upon the treaty of 1918, which will secure
just and hospitabe treatment to United States
fishermen and secure to them. unmolested, the
full measure of their rights and that under the
proposed arrangement every American fisher.
man pursuing his vocation in the waters adja-
cent to British North America can acquire
clear understanding OF his rights and duties
whilst within the jurisdic.onal waters of Cam
ada or in such ports and harbnrs casually,
necessity Inconvenience may suggest with
out fear of encouptering such harsh and un-
friendly treatment he was heretofore sub
jected TO under uncertain, un warranted and
variant Interpretations of his treaty rights /"
The accompanying papers referred to are
made M of extracts from the diplomatic CORE.
spondence of 1887, Secretary Bayards letter to
Minister Phelps. of July l2, 1887 and protocols
of the conferences OF the negotiations, and give
a history of the steps leading to the appoin tment
of the commissioners.