New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-03-06
PnOwPr ACTION REQUIRED.

Tho Fisheries Treaty VIII not % raalheo.
This is generally conceded in Washington.
Tho Senate adopted the Retaliation Act On
january "a. 1887. by vote of 46 to 1. both
parties uniting in defence of American rights
and the principle Of maritime reciprocity. III
tho treaty secured commercial rights for tho
fishing feet and reparatinn Tor past outrngcs
marty lines would again be broken down and
ratification would Immediately follow. IL
does not contain the guarantees which the Sen
ase considered absolutely essential year ago,
and consequently IL cannot be ratified unless
tvo- thirds of the members a'e willing to stul'ily
themselves and to betray tho interests OF tho
Nation for the sake OF accommodating an un-
american Administration. The Senate will not
surrender to the State Department as 'eDomin'-
o,siy as the State Department has Itsel1 capiiu-
lated to England and Canada. The convention
is doomed, as the Administration is by this time
well aware. All that the State Department
now hopes for is delay in acting upon the
treaty. By majority vote the Senate can
;ostpone consideration Of the convention until
Jwcember and thereby release the Admnisira-
zion from an embarrassing position during the
Presidential canvass Great pressure Will I'M
doubleday be brought 30 bear upon Senators Oh
both parties to secure this result
II this were a question which concerned
solely tho political fortunes Of the hdm'nstra-
tnn. these dilatOry tactics might be considered
fair and reasonable It is a question involving
the historic rights and commercial liberties on
tho American people. The honor of the Nation.
which has been seriously compromised by the
Administration in these negotiations. can and
L. Il nd he bo
cation ought not tn be deferred for year Tor
partisan convenience. The treaty should be
taken up pressed to a vote. whether in opcn or
secret session. and rejected. The Senate has it
within its power to restore the prestige OF the
Nation by repudiating without unnecessary de-
lay this most hnm'lating and unsatisfactory
treaty The Senators cannot act too promptly,
especially as both Mr.. Chamberlain and Sec
rotary Bayard are talking in melancholy way
about the danger Of an outbreak OF war. let
tlnm rise to the high level of patriotism which
they reached in passing the Retaliation Act and
nc dignity OF the Nation will again be upheld
by the united action Of both parties.
There arc practical as well as patriotic
grounds for the immediate rejection OF The
treaty The m0dus vivend while now
voluntary proposition on the part OF the British
Commissioners can be accepted by the Admin
istration and carried into effect for two years
IL The Senate dcfcrs a decisive vote until an
other session. Whether that propos ition in
wolves the payment Of an average license OF
$3.50 as Mr.. Chamberlain has claimed. or one
of 800. as Senator FRYE has represented. the
precedent is one Of which advantage will be
taken nv England in future negotiations. Amer
lean citizens should not be forced tn pay single
dollar for the enjoyment of commercial rights
in Canadian waters which arc not dcried to
british subjects in American voters. The Ad-
r,inistrat,on must not be granted an opportunity
tor carrying out the modus vivendi The
fishing season. moreover. will open in few
weeks. Americans engaged in lawful calling
in Chr fisheries conquered by their ancestors
century ago from the French have right to
know whore they stand and what measures Of
rrntcr.ion will be afforded them in the exercise
Of their commercial rights. The rejection OF
,hc Fisheries Treaty will leave the Administra-
Ion No pretext for further neglect in enforcing
thc Retaliation Act. Delay in acting upon it
will be most mi~chicvons and dangerous to tho
important interests involved From every
roint a. view the postposemcnt Of the treaty
until another session will be most serious
mistake.