The Portland daily press., 1888-12-05
WONDERING AT HIS CHANGE OF FRONT.
Canadians Search for Light on the
Fisheries Question
And Fall to Understand the Presi-
dents Position.
The Toronto Globe Smiles at the
References to "a Person."

TORONTO, Ont, Dec. 4.-The Globe
NiberaD referring to President Cleveland's
message, says: "He does not appear to share
Senator Sherman's opinion that the scheme
of unrestricted reciprocity between Canada
and the United States is impracticable but
signifies that reciprocal commercial treaties
may be found expedient where the United
States has with another country common
border line that cannot be guarded. But his
expressions in respect to this matter are
vague and guarded. Once more Mr.. Cleve-
land reiterates that the rejected fisheries
treaty was just and honorable to the United
States. With the Democratic party fully
committed to that opinion, the Republicans
can have little difficulty in entering upon
new fisheries convention practically Identical
with that which the Senate SO recklessly
threw out. The most remarkable feature Of
that portion of the message which deals with
the fisheries questions and perhaps of the
whole message, Is Mr.. Cleveland's repetition
OF his former statement that in his opinion,
the draft OF the treaty OF February last sup
piled satisfactory, practical and final ad-
lustment upon a basis honorable and just to
both parties of the difficult and vexed Ques-
tlon to which 1t related. Notwithstanding
that the President thus avows that his opin-
tOh Va ttio tICdtJ 10 uOt Cudukeu, We ulu IN
the message no reasonable explanation of
his recent remarkable change Of policy as
shown in his demand for increased retalia-
tory powers. On the contrary, the state
ment Is reported that In no case in which
complaint has been made of unfriendly or
unlawful treatment of American fishing YES
sells by Canadian authorities. the latter
failed TO make prompt and satisfactory
reparation. 1t is impossible to read without
smile the reference to the Sackville epi-
s0de. The vials of the Presidents wrath
are poured out upon the luckless diplomatist
who is described in whitening terms as
person and whose punishment for his
ia ur pas may now, therefore, be regarded as
complete Among other matters in the mes
sage OF interest to Canada are the references
to the Behring Sea fisheries question, Of
determining the boundary between Alaska
and British Columbia and the wrecking
question. Reference to commercial treaties
with contiguous countries is also of some
interest to u.s."
The Empire lMinisterialisD says: "Presi-
dent Cleveland seems more inclined to make
fisheries, our territory and our railways,
aiming in fact at getting everything possible
from Canada while yielding little in return
and retaining their own freedom Of action
rather than showing any great.disposition
for friendly equality. The President speaks
OF his last messages to Con gress, but gives
no explanations of their frequent contradic-
tons, seeming to regard it as superfluous.
The message has much to say Of the unpar-
d0nable conduct of Lord Sackville,' but
there is not one word of regret for the dirty
fraud committed by United States citizen
which provoked the indiscretion."