The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-04-11
THE FISHERIES TREATY.
Sir Charles Topper Urges It's Ratification by
Canada, and Gives Reasons Therefor.

Canada. and Glves Reasons Therefor.
OTTAWA, April 10.-In the House of Commons
this afternoon, Sir Charles Upper, Minister of
Finance, moved the second reading OF the bill
to ratify the fisheries treaty. In his speech in
support of the motion Sir Charles reviewed the
circumstances connected with former treaties
between the United States and Great Britain
concerning the fisheries of Canada The reci-
procity treaty Of 1854 was just one, and he be-
ievedr the majority of the people of both coun-
tries believed it's abrogation was q mistake.
This abrogation was caused by ill-formed be-
lief in the United States that Canada had
helped the South during the late
The truth was that Canada had
tried to prevent the South from harassing
the North through Canadian territory He be-
lieved that ten Canadians had fought for the
Union to one who fought against it, shown
by the number receiving pensions from the
United States. Then followed the fisheries
treaty of 1871, and the people of both countries
were sorry when it terminated He was sorry
that public opinion in the United States had led
to the passage of the retaliation act It
mistake that Canada's fish cries policy was harsh
and unjust, for the reason that the United
States had by treaty formally renounced the
right TO enter Canadian ports, except for
special purpose Fl, denied that there had
been any conflict between the interests of
Great Britain and Canada at the recent
convention. He declared that If instead of Sir
Joseph Cham herlain and Sir Lionel West be
had associated with him the two foremost
statesmen from either aide of Canada. the con-
tentions of Canada could not have been more.
uniformly supported than they were: He eulo-
gized the American commissioners than whom
he did not think that country could have
chosen any eminently patriotic and de-
voted 20 the interests of their country. and
after three-months' controversy with them he
had faff 1Fe11 irad v4fh fhN raSn
these gentlemen. It was his supposition when
he went to Washington that this treaty
w09d be 9aes 'hS s. basis OF
tions from the Canadian government were
that he should obtain, far possible. the
conditions of the treaty of 1854. He had heard
lately good deal about unrestricted reciprocity,
but in all the time he was in Washington he bad
not found one with . well-balanced head
upon his shoulders to even talk about unre-
stricted re clprocity. But he had found not one
statesman who would hold up both hands for
commercial union; and whyl Because they
knew that such scheme would give Canada to
the United States. But he WAS fully convinced
that tha most craven Canadian would not con-
sent 20 condition of things under
(which the United States should make
tariff or any other laws for
both countries. AS for unrestricted reciprocity.
the United States secuted the idea of making
her markets free to the world in order TO secure
access to the markets of Canada. The idea, he
said. irrational as it would be to propose
to build railway to connect Canada with the
moon. 1HS lDlf0d states representatives O0-
cIined any consideration of trade questions, ana
they had therefore been forced 10 frame treaty
based on other considerations. Concerning this
treaty. be did not intend to state to the House
all the advantages which might be claimed for
it. because every word he uttered in the House
to-day might be used against him in the United
States Senate tomorrow. where. it possible.
there might be more difficulty in passing the
treaty than in the Canadian House of Commons.
The speaker touched on the provisions OF the
treaty, aud then proceeded to recite the conse-
of
commercial war, which would have ensued had
the President put into force the non intercourse
bill passed by the United States. and he consid-
cred that the line was very narrow which sspa-
rated com mmercial war from actual war. A con-
dtion of things would have ensued. the end of
which no man could foresee. By the action
the government had taken great dsas-
ter to Canada had been averted; but great as
this disaster would have been, the dis
aster to the United States, he thought,
would be much greater. though companionshiD
in misery would be very little consolation. He
considered that Canada has emerged from mid
night darkness into open daylight by the con-
clusion of this treaty But suppose he said,
.'this treaty is not adopted by the United States
Senate. not improbable contingency, in view
of the approach of the presiden ntial election
and the increased bitterness of party strife"
He thought the relations of the two countries
would still be IN much better position than II
this amcable agreement had not been arrived
at He hoped there were statesmen enough in the
great Republican party to overweight the party
advantage which might ensue from deterring
of this vexed question. If the Senate rejected
the treaty, then the responsibility for any fur
ther Inconvenience suffered by United tates
fishermen would rest with the United States
Senate. He declared 1t to be his belief that the
Democratic party possessed to-day the conf
dence of the people of the United States and
would continue to possess it, and that the
suit of this treaty would be that that partv
would, in all probability, take steps to provide
for enlareing trade relations soon desired
by the people of both countries The ink had
hardly dried on the fisheries treaty before bill
was introduced by the chairman of the ways
and means committee, providing for ths placing
rpon the free list of five articles-lumbe T, cop
per-ore salt, vegetables and wools-u pom which
last year, less than 81 SOC, 900 had been paid
in duty.
In concluding, Sir Charles declared it to be of
the most vital Importance to Canada and to the
best interests of the British empire, that this
treaty should 5e adopted.
Mr. Davies, of Prince Edwards Island, re-
piled in opposition to Sir Charles's motion. He
held that the treaty was an unconditional
render the part of Can of all that the
Americans claimed. ard that Canada was to-day
asked to concede. at the point of the bavonet,
what she ought to have yielded gracefully long
ago.
When Mr.. Davies had concluded, the Minister
of Justice replied in a brief speech; reviewing
the points made by Mr.. Davies.
Binky Morgan VIII Be Hanged.
n Anril IN The Circy1it Court