Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1888-08-30
A SPECIAL MESSAGE.
The President on the Fisheries
Complications.
He Reviews the Situation in a Special Mes
sage and Asks for More Specific Powers
in Protecting the Rights of Amer
lean Fishermen.


sent the following message to Congress
yesterday afternoon:
10 the Congress: The rejection by the Senate
OF the treaty lately negotiated for the settle
ment and adjustment Of the difficulties existing
between the United States and Great Britain
concerning the rights and privileges OF Ameri-
can fishermen in the ports and wa ers OF British
North America. seems 10 justify survey OF the
condition &c which the pending question is
thus RENTED. The treaty upon this subject,
concluded n 1873 through oisagreements as
10 the meaning OF its terms. has been fruit
full source of irritation and trouble. Our
citizens engaged in fishing ent rprises in waters
adjacent TO Canada have been subjected TO
numerous yexatious interferences and an
royances; their vessels have been
seized upon pretexts which appeared
70 be entirely inadnissable, and they
have been otherwise treated by the Canadian
authorities and officials in a manner ineKeUsa-
bly, harsh and oppressive. This conduct has
been justified by Great Britain and Canada by
The claim that the treaty Of 1913 permitted 1t
and upon the ground that II was necessars 70
the proper protection Of Canadian interests.
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 neighbors, the growth OF our joint
commerce, the development and prosperity OF
both countries which amicable relations surely
guarantee and. above all, the liberality always
extended by the United States 10 the people OF
Canada, furnished motives for kindness and
consideration higher and better than treaty
covenants
While lxeenly sensitive to all that was exas-
perating in the condition. and by no means in
disposed 10 support the just complaints of our
injured citizens, still deemed II my duty for
the preservation OF important American inter
NH. flr- inv lt-ad midi
OF all the details Of the situation. to attempt by
negotiation TO remedy existing wrongs and 10
finally terminate by fair and just treaty, these
ever recurring causes of difficulty. / fully be-
keved that the treaty just rejected by the
Senate was well suited 10 the eXigency and
that its provisions were adequate for our
security in the future from yexatious in
cidents and for the promotion OF friendly
neighborhood and intimacy, without
sacrificing IN the least our National pride or
dignity. am quite conscious that neither 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 notice 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 eX-
preston that no negotiation should at present
be concluded touching the matter 1T issue.
The cooperation necessary for the adjust
ment of the long standing National differences
with which we have to deal BY methods OF con-
ference and agreement having thus been de-
clined. am by no means disposed TO abandon
the interests and rights OF our people in the
premises or TO neglect their grievances, and
therefore turn TO the contemplation Of plan
o. retaliation as a mode which still remains of
treating the situation. l am not unmindful of
the gravity OF the responsibility assumed in
adopting this line Of conduct, nor do fail in
the least to appreciate its serious conse-
Quences. 1t will be impossible TO iniure
our Canadian neighbors by retaliatory meas
ures without infiicting some damage upon
our own citizens. This results from our
proximity. our community of interests and
the inevitable comIningling of the business en-
terprises which have been developed by our
mutual activity. Plainly stated, the policy OF
National retaliation manifestly embraces the
infection Of the greatest harm upon the sea TO
those who have injured u, with the least posi-
BILE damage to ourselves.
There is also an evident propriety as well as
an invitation 10 moral support 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 ali things the plan Of retaliation, if en-
tered upon, should be thorough and vigorous.
These considerations lead me at the same
time TO invoke the aid and counsel Of the Con-
gress and its support in such further grant OF
power as seems TO me necessary and desirable
10 render effective the policy have indicated.
The Congress has already passed a law, which
received executive assent on March 5, 1887,
providing that in case American fishing YES
sells, being or visiting in the waters or at any
OF the ports OF the British dominions OF North
America, should be or lately had been deprived
OF the rights 10 which they were entitled by
treaty or law, or if they were denied certain
other privileges therein specified, or If vexed
or harassed in the enjoyment OF the same,
the President might deny TO vessels and their
masters and crews OF the British dominions
of North America any entrance into the
waters, ports or harbors OF the United States
and also deny entry into any port or place OF
the United States Of any product Of said Do
minions or other goods coming from SAID Do
minions to the United States While shall
not hesitate upon proper occasions 70 enforce
this act il would seem TO be unnecessary 10
suggest that il such enforcement is limited in
such a manner as shall result in the least pos
sible injury TO our own people, The effect would
probably be entirely inadequate TO the accom-
plishment of the purpose desired. deem it
my duty, therefore, TO call the attention OF
Congress to certain particulars in the action of
the authorities of the Dominion of Canada, in
addition TO the general allegations already
made, which appear to be in such marked con-
trast to the liberal and friendly disposition of
our country as in my opinion TO call for such
legislation as will, upon the PRINCIPLES already
stated, properly supplement the power 10 in
augurate retaliation already vested in the ex-
ecutive.
Actuated by the generous and neighborly
spirit which has characterized our legisls-
tion, our tariff laws have since 1SG6 been so
far waived in favor of Canada as 10 allow
free OF duty the transit across the territory of
the United States of property arriving at our
ports and destined TO Canada or exported
from Canada TO other countries. When the
treaty OF Washington was negotiated in ISL
between the United States and Great Britain,
having for its object very largely the
modification Of hat treaty Of 1913 the
privileges above referred TO were made
reciprocal and given in return by Canada TO the
United States, in the following language, co6-
tanned in the twenty ninth article OF SAID treaty
1T is agreed that for the tenn of years men,
toned in article 80 of this treaty. goods, wares
or merchandise arriving at the ports of New
York Boston and Portland. and any other ports
in the United States which may have been OF
which may be, from time 10 time, especially
designated by the President OF the United
Seates and destined for her Britaaric Majesty
Possessions in North AmeAa, may be
entered at the proper custom house and con-
veyed in transit without the payment OF
duties, through the territory of the United
States under such rules, regulations and con-
ditions for the protection Of the revenue as
the Government Of the United States may
from time to time prescribe. and under like
rules, regulations snd conditions goods.
wares or merchandise may be convened
in transit without the payment Of duties
from such possessions through the terri
tory Of the United States for export from
the said ports OF the United States. 1t is
further agreed that for the like period, goods
wares or merchandise arriving at any OF the
ports OF her Britannia Maiesty's possessions
in North America and destined for the United
States NAY be entered at the proper custorn