The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1888-08-30
WANTS RETALIATION.
The President Sends Message to Con.
gress Relative to the Fisheries
Treaty


Treaty
The President sent to congress on the 23d
a message in reference to the rejection of the
fisheries treaty by theSenate. He recommends
immediate legislation. comforting upon the
executive the power to suspend, by proclama-
ton. tho operation of all laws and regulations
permitting the transit OF goods, wares and
merchandise in bond, across or over the ter
ritory Of the United States to or from Can
ada
TO the Congress-: The rejection by the
senate of the treaty lately negotla: ed for the
settlement and adjustment OF the differences
existing between the United States and Great
Britain concerning the rights and privileges
of American fishermen in the ports and
waters Of British North America seems to
Justify survey OF the condition to which
the pending question is thus RENTED. The
treaty upon this subject concluded IN
1918, through d!sagreements as to the
meaning OF its terms, has been q fruit
full source of irritation and trouble Our
citiz ms engaged in fishing enterprises in
waters nd jacent to Canada have been SUBJ
jected to numerous veXatiOus interferences
and annoyances, their vess els have been
seized upon pretexts which appeared to be
entirely inadmissible, and they have been
otherwise treated by the Canadian authori-
tics and officials in a manner inexcusabiy
harsh and oppressive. This conduct has been
justified by Grea; Britain aud Canada by the
claim that the treaty Of 1918 permitted it,
ond upon the ground that it was necessary
to tho proper protection OF Canadian inter-
ests. We deny that treaty agreements Justify
these acts, and we further maintain that,
aside from any treaty restraints Of disputed
Interpretation, the relative positions OF the
United states and Canada as near netghbors,
the growth of oul joint commerce, the devel.
opment and prosperity Of both countries,
which amlcable relations surely guarantee,
and.above all, the liberality always extended
hy the United states to the people of Canada,
srason higher and better than ham c treaty.
covenants While keenly sensitive to all
that was exasperating in the condition, and
by 20 means indisposed to support the Just
com plants OF our injured citizens, I still
deemed IL my duty, for the preservation of
important American in,eres,s which were
directly involved, and in view OF all the de-
tails OF the situation. to attempt by negot1a-
ton to remedy existing wrongs and TO
finally terminate by a fair and Just
treaty d the1o ,u hasve uses
the treaty just rejected BY the
senate was well suited to the ex'gency, and
that its provisions were adequate for our
security IN the future from vexat, GUS Incl
dents and for the promotion of friendly
nctghborhood and intimacy, without sacri-
tcng in the least our rational pride or dig
nifty. l am quite conscious that neither nv
opinion OF the value OF the rejected treaty,
nor the motives which prompted it's negotia-
lions, are OF Importance in the light OF the
Judgment Of the senate theleupon. But it
Is OF importance to note that this treaty has
been rejected without any apparent disposi.
ton on the part OF the senate to alter or
amend ita provisions, and with the evident
Intention not wanting expression, that no
negotiations should at present be concluded
touching the matter at issue. The
COOPERATION NECESSARY
for tho adjustment of tho long standing ma
HUnal differences with which we have TO
deal, by methods of conference and agree
ment having thus been declined, am by no
auoans disposed 10 abandon the interests ana
to neglect their grievances: and ], therefore,
turn to the contamination of a plan of re-
taliation a. 4 mode, which still remains of
treating the situation. am not uDDindful
OF the gravity of the responsibility assumed
in adopting this line of conduct, nor do
fail in tho least to appreciate it's serious con-
sequences. It will be impossible to injure
our Canadian neighbors by retaliacng meas
urcs without intlcting some damage upon
our own citizons This results from our
proximity. our community of interests and
the inevitable commingiing Of the business
cnterprscs which have been developed by
mutual activity. Plainly stated. the policy
of national retaliation manifestly cnl-
traces the inflict1on OF the greatest harm
upon those who have I'M urad us, with the
least pCsstble damage to ourselves There
ia also an evident propriety rs well as an In
yitation to moral support, found In visiting
upon the offending party the same measure
or kind of treatment of which we complain,
and, as far a. possible, within the same linn
its. Aud. above all things, the plan Of retali-
alton, entered upon. should be thorough
mn YigorouA These considcrat ons lead 1n,
at this time to invoke tho aid and counsel Of
the cong. ~ss and its support in such fur
Their grant O.. power as seems to me neces-
sary and desira 10 10 render effective the
policy have indl.' e'eu. ne CONFESS mas
tive assent March 5, 1881, Plovu.its Caao IN
case American fishing vesseA-~ ps1'lS OK v'sit-
ing in the waters or at any of the Poi1s " ING
Dristish dominion of North Amerlt;. snoi1iu
be or lately had been deprived OF the tlShIs
to which they were entitled by treaty or law,
or ii they were denied certlln other Prlvi-
eyes therein spccitied; Or veNed or carrasseo
IN the enjoyment Of the same. the president
might deny to vessels and their masters ana
crews of the British dominlons OF Nortn
America any entrance to waters, ports or
tlnrbors of the United States, and also DENY
entry into any port or place OF the United
States of any product OF said dominions or
other goods coming from SAID dominion 20
the United States While shall not hesitate
upon proper occasions to enforce this act 1t
that, if such enforcement is limited In such
manner a. shall result in the least possible
injury to our own people, the effect would
probably be
ENTIRELY INADEQUATE
to the accomplishment OF the purpose de-
sired. deem it my duty, therefore, to Cal
attention of the congress to certain particu-
lars In the action CT the authorities OF tho
Dominion of Canada. in addition to the gen
eral allegations already made, which appear
to be in such marked contrast to the liberia
and friendly disDOyiJiOn OF our country as
In my opinion, to Call for such legislation al
WILL upon the principles already stated, prop
er]y supplement- the power to inaugurate re-
taiation already vested IN the executive
Actuated by the generous and nelghDorly
xJirit which has characterized cur !eglsla
ton. our tariff laws have since 1866 been 81
far waived in favor OF Canada as to allow
free o. duty the transit across the ter
ritory o. tho United States propert,
arriving at our ports and destined t.
Canada or exported from Canada to otae
was negotiated in 1871 between the United
states and Great Britain, having for it's OBJ
feet very largely the modification OF tn
treaty Of 1918. the privileges above referred
30 were made reciprocal, and given IN return
BY Canada t. the United States In tne yea
1856 notice was received by tho representa-
tives Of our government that our flsnermel
would no longer be allowed to ship their tisl
in bond and free of duty through CANADIAN
territory to this country, and ever since tina
time such shipment has been denied. IN
privilege of such shipment which hal
been extended TO our fishermen was
most Important ono, allowing then
to spend the time upon tho nsh,pg grounds
which would otherwise DO devoted &c yoy
age home with Their catch. and donoiini
their opportunities for protitably prosecut
ing their vocation. In fo:biddlrg the transl
of the catch OF our fishermen over their ter
ritory in bond AMI free OF duty the CANADIAN
authorities deprived us Of the only faciilt
dependent upon the concession and TO
which we could supply no substitute. III
value to the Dominion OF Canada OF tn
privilege of transit for their exports and i'm
ports aurOss our territory and to and 1roI
our ports. though great in every aspect. wi
be better appreciated when it is remembers
that for Il considerable portion OF each yea
the st. Lawrence river, which constitutes ID
direct avenue for commerce leading to Car
ada, Is
CLOSED BIZ 1CR