St. Landry democrat., 1888-09-01
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Special Message to Congress on the
Fisheries Question.
Vigorous Retaliatory Policy Proposed
and Aid and Authority Asked to
Garry the Same Into Prac-
tical Effect.

~~@~~'
He recommends immediate legisla-
ton comforting upon the Executive
the power to suspend by proclamation
the operation of all laws and regulations
permitting the transit Of goods, wares
and merchandise in bond across or over
the territory Of the United States to or
from Canada. Legislation is also recon-
mended that will give Canadian vessels
navigating our canals precisely the same
advantages granted to American vessels
in Canada, and that both be measured
by the same rule of discrimination. The
same communication in its full text is as
follows:
To THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES:
The rejection by the Senate of the treaty late
ly negotiated for the settlement and adjust
ment of the differences existing between the
United States and Great Britain concerning
the rights and privileges Of American fisher
men in the ports and waters OF British North
America seems to justify survey OF the con-
dition to which the pending question Is thus
RENTED. The treaty upon this subject con-
Guided in 1918 through disagreements as to the
meaning of its terms, has been fruitful source
OF irritation and trouble. Our citizens en-
gagged in fishing enterprises in waters adjacent
to Canada have been subjected to numerous
vexations interferences and annoyances
Their vessels have been seized upon protests
which appeared to be entirely inadmissable
and they have been otherwise treated by the
Canadian authorities and officials in manner
inexcusably harsh and oppressive. This con-
duct has been justified by Great Britain and
Canada by the claim that the treaty
of 1918 permitted it, and upon
the ground that 1t was necessary to
the proper protection of Canadian interests
We deny that treaty agreements justify
these acts, and we further maintain that aside
from any treaty restraints or disputed inter-
pretatlons the relative positions Of the United
States and Canada as near neighbors, the
growth OF our joint commerce, the develop
ment and prosperity of both countries which
amicable relations surely guarantee, and
above all. the liberality always extended by
the United States to the people
of Canada, furnished motives for
kindness and consideration higher and bet
ter than treaty covenants. While keenly
sens tive to all that was exasperating in the
condition, and by no means indisposed to sup
port the just complaints of our injured citizens,
still deemed it my duty for the preservation
of important American interests which were
directly involved, and IN view Of all the details
of the situation to attempt by negotiation
to remedy existing wrongs and to
finally terminate by fair and
Just treaty these overcoming causes Of diff
Guilty. fully believe that the treaty just re-
jected by the Senate was we'll suited to the
exigency, 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 sacrificing
In the least our National pride or dignity.
am quite conscious that mother my opinion OF
the value Of the rejected treaty
nor the motives which prompted its
negotiation are Of importance in the light Of
the judgment of the Senate thereupon. But
it is Of importance to note that this treaty has
been rejected without any apparent disposition
on the part of the Senate to alter or amend
its provisions, and with the evident intention,
not wanting expression, that no negotiation
should at present be concluded touching the
matter. The cooperation necessary for the
adjustment of the long-standing National
differences with which we have to deal by
methods Of conference and agreement having
thus been declined, 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 con-
temptation of plan of retaliation as . mode
which still remains of treating the situation.
am not unmindful OF the gravity of the re.
sponsibility assumed in adopting this lin Of
conduct; nor do fail In the least to appreci.
ate its serious consequences. II
will be impossible to iniure our Canadian
nicting some damage upon our own citizens.
This results from our proximity, our commu.
nifty Of interests and the inevitable comingling
OF the business enterprises which have been
developed by mutual activity. Plainly stated,
the policy of National retaliation man,festly
embraces the infection Of the greatest harm
upon these who have injured US, with the least
possible damage to ourselves. There
is also an evident propriety as well
invitation
found in visiting upon the offending party the
same measure or kind of treatment OF which
we complain. and as far as possible within the
same lines, and above all things the plan OF
retaliation, II entered upon, should be thorough
and vigorous. These considerations lead me at
this time to invoke the aid and council of the
Congress and its support in such further
grant OF power as seems to me necessary and
desirable to render effective the policy 1 have
indicated. The Congress has already
passed law which received execu.
tive assent on the third day
of March, 1887, providing that in case Ameri.
can fishing vessels, being or visiting in the
waters or at any of the ports Of the British do.
minions Of North America, should be, or lately
had been. deprived Of these rights, to which
they were entitled by treaty or law, or If they
were denied certain other privileges therein
specified. or vexed and harrassed in the enjoy
ment Of the same, the Preaident might deny
TO vessels and their masters and crews of the
British dominions Of North America any en-
trance into the waters ports or harbors
OF the United States, and also deny entry in to
any port or place OF the United States OF any
product OF said Dominion or other goods com
Ing from said Dominion to the United States.
While shall not hesitate, upon proper coca
sion, to enforce this act, 1t would seem to be
unnecessary TO suggest that IL such enforce
ment is limited in such a manner as shall re-
suit II the least possible injury to our own
people, the effect would probably
be entirely inadequate to the
accomplishment OF the purpose desired. I
deem IT my duty, therefore, to call the atten-
ton OF the Congress to certain particulars in
the action OF the autho1Sties OF the Dominion
OF Canada in addition the general allega-
tlons ALREADY made. wh8h appeared to be In
such marked contrast to the liberal and friend
~ disDosition OF our country as. in my opinion,
10 call for such legislation as will upon the
principles already stated, properly supplement
sne power to inaugurate retaliation already |
vested in the Executive I'd
Actuated hy the generous anu Sh bofly
spirit which has characterized our leg Nation, |
our tarlH laws have, since 1866. been Ear
waved In favor OF Canada as to allow fSe~ doee&
outy the transit across the territory ofVhe
United States Of property arriving at
ports and destined to Canada, or exported
nom Canada to other foreign countries. When
tne treaty OF Washington was negotiated in
1871, between the United States and Great Brit. |
ain, having for its object very largely the |
modlhcation OF the treaty Of 1915 the privileges
ABOVE referred to were reciprocal and given in
return BY Canada to the United States in the |
Following language contained in the Twenty. |
ninth article Of said treaty: