Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1888-08-24
The Canadian Iia tory
Measures Recommended.

created by the rejection of the Canadian
fisheries treaty and the indisposition Of that
body 10 alter or amend its provisions, or to
initiate further negotiations. The treaty of
1878 conferred upon the fishermen of the
United States the privilege OF fishing in Ca
madam waters, but the extent Of the pripi-
leees then conferred has ever since been
subject Of dispute. The two chief questions
have been whether the expression, three
marine miles of any Of the coasts, bays,
creeks or harbors of his Britannia msIesty's
dominiops," meant limit OF three miles
fror, the coast line or q limit of three miles
from line drawn from headland to head
land, and whether the provso that the
American fishermen shall be admitted to en-.
ter such bays or harbors for the purpose OF
shelter and OF repairing damages therein, oil
purchasing wood and Of obtaining water and
for no other purpose whatever ia intended
to exclude American vessels from coming
inshore to traffic, transbip fish, purchase
stores, hire seanen, &c. The treaty Of 1871
which made an amcable adjustment of
these questions, was ut the instance OF the
New England fishermen terminated in July,
1885 Since that time the Canadian author
tiles. in the assertion of their view of their
rights, have subjected American fishermen
TO "numerous veXeiions, interferences, and
annoy ances," and have seized their vessels
upon pretex,s that appear to be entirely
inedrnissable. For the preservation of the
American interests involved the President
deemed it bis duty to attempt the negolia'
ton of treaty, and did last winter negoti-
ate treaty which wa in bis opinion JADE
ouate for our security in the future from
vexatious incidents and for the promotion of
friendly neighborhood and intimacy, with
out sacrificing in the least our national pride
and dignity But this treaty the majority
of the Senate has rejected. At the same
time the treaty making branch of Congress
has expressed not obscurely the opinion
that DO further negotiations should be had
and not few of the majority of that body
have condemned the President for delay
ing the issuance of the proclamation
authorized by the resolution of Congress.
approved March 3, 1887, terminating all
further commercial intercourse with Cana.
do. This act authorizes the President in
his discretion TO forbid the entrance of Can
adian vessels into American waters, and al
so to deny the entry Into any port or place
of the United States of fresh or salt fish or
auyother product" of Canada, or other goods
coming from" Canada. The President de.
c!ares his purpose, under proper circum-
stances to carry into operation the retaliatory
Intention of Copgress-expressed in both
House and Senate-and AXIS for further
powers, 60 that retaliation, If entered upon,
shall be effective at will be impossible"
he says, ITO rjure cur Canadian neghbors
BIZ retaliatoiy measures without lift citing
some damage npon our own citizens" but
the Motley OF securing fair treatment indica.
ted in the nor-intercourse law of March 3,
1887, "manifcstly embraces the infic'ion OF
the greatest harm upon those who have In.
inred u.s." To make the plan of retaliation
through and vigorous requires, however,
that the President be authorized to suspend
certain laws dating from 1866 which permit
Cananisns 10 import by rail through New
York, Boston, Portland and other designat-
ed ports foreign goods free OF duty. That
is to cay, Canadians at present may import
and ship goods in bond across the New Eng.
land States and other States without let
or hindrance, while al the same time they
deny to our fishermen The right to ship their
catch OF fish from Canadian ports by rail to
points in the United States. The President
reviews at length the provision of the treaty
of 1871 confirming to Canadians the right
to ;ranshp goods in bond to show that that
provision lapsed with the other fisheries
clauses of that trtay. The act Of Congress
giving legislative effect to this provision of
the treaty and the prior legislation on the
subject are recommended to the attention of
Compress. During the last six years the i'm
ports and exports of British Canadian prov
inces carried across our territory, under the
laws whose repeal is suggested, amounted in
value to 500 900 600, nearly all of which
were British goods du,iable under our tariff
laws. No act Of retaliation could be more
efficient than TO suspend the laws and regu-
lations under which this transit trade is
carried on, and the President recommends
that the power 70 suspend them be conferred
upon him by Congress. By article %
of the treaty of 1871 the American cit
izen was promised the use OF the Welland,
St. Lawrence and other canals of Can.
ada on terms of equality with Canadian
citizens. The promise has not been kept, ss
our citizens are required 10 pay tolls Oh all
these canals and receive no rebates, such as
arc given to Canadiens using the canals. It
Is recon- n ended, therefore, that legislative
action be taken that will give Canadian ves
sells navigating cur canals and their cargoes |
precisely such advantages as are granted to |
Dur vessels and ca.goes on Canadian canals
These matters. "relate to the honor and dig
nifty OF our country, and the protection and
reservation of the rights and interests of |
Ill our people," They are not sectional or
iehborhood affairs, it is intimated, to be
settled by retaliation looking 10 the aggran-
Element of some petty locality or interest.
They touch the national spirit, and should
,e dealt with in the broadcast manner. The
President says: These are subjects which
craftsmanship should not disturb or confuse.
let US survey the GROUND calmly and mod
rately, and having put aside other means
f settlement, if we enter upon the policy
t retaliation, let US pursue it firmly with
etermination only to sub.etve the interests
f our people and maintain the high stand-
I'd and the becoming pride of American
Sixteen new cases of yellow fever and two
aaths were reported IN J4cksonviie, Fla,