Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1888-02-16
THEIR LABORS AT AN END.
THE FISHERIES TREATY SIGNED BY
THE COMMISSION,
And VIII Probably be Sent by tho Presi-
dent to the Senate for Confirmation
To-day-A Suggestion That It be Given
to the Press at Once.

dent to the Senate for Confirmation
to the Press at Once.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 16.-The labors Of the
American commissioners and the English
''negotiators" have at last come to an end,
and shortly after O'clock last evening the
fisheries treaty, which is the outcome Of the
deliberations of three months, was formerly
signed by the high contracting parties on be-
half of England and the United States
There is likely to be very little delay in plac-
ing this treaty before the senate, and it is
within the possibilities that special execu.
tive session may be held to-day for the ex-
press purpose of considering its provisions.
The treaty may be said to be a signal vic
tory for Secretary Bayard and his associates
on the American side of the commission.
From the first meeting of the commission
both parties have realized the importance of
the question as to whether the "touch and
trade" privilege would be extended to Ameri-
can vessels, a privilege now fully enjoyed by
vessels of other nations in our ports. The
American fishermen have demanded the two
fold right of purchasing stores and supplies
and of selling cargoes to whoever mig ght desire
to purchase. The opposition to this concession,
if it could be called concession, has pro-
ceeded from the very first from Sir Charles
Tupper. He finally gave in, however, and
under the terms of the treaty the privileges
enjoyed by American and Canadian fishers
will be entirely reciprocal.
The English commissioners have made q
strong fight from the start for the preserva-
ton from invasion by foreign fishermen of
the waters embraced in the three mile limit,
but have hardly hoped that they would be
successful in securing a full concession from
the United States, giving up all claim to the
privilege of fishing in these waters. They
were greatly surprised, however, to find that
when the point was finally reached the Amer
ican commissioners were not inclined to press
the matter. For diplomatic reasons the
Americans have seduously refrained from
explaining the fact that the eastern fishermen
have considered tbs fishing in deep water far
more profitable than that off the Shoals,
within the limit The English commissioners
doubtless regard this concession as decided
victory for them, but, in point of fact, it was
consideration of entire Indifference to Sec
retary Bayard and his colleagues.
In consideration of the ''touch and trade
privilege the English commissioners stipulated
that license should be exacted from Ameri
can vessels trading in Canadian ports. This
license is to be adjusted to the form of a ton
mage tax, ana Cl0 0LClT0 10tlUuTG, ! Is agreed,
will be abolished upon the placing of fish on
the free list by the United States.
Notwithstanding the reports with regard
to the consideration of the Behring sea con-
troversy, the Alaska boundary question, and
the exchange of imports, none of these sub
jects have received any attention at the hands
of the commissioners, nor do they figure at
all in the provisions of the treaty.
It is said that President Cleveland, who has
been duly informed from time to time of the
progress made by the commissioners, has pre-
pared letter which will be sent to the senate
simultaneously with the treaty, asking that
its provisions be made public at once. It is
the custom to make public the contents of all
state papers presented to the Canadian par
lament, and as this treaty will be laid before
that body upon its convening on the 23d
inst, its provisions will be given to the press
by that date in any event.
1t is understood that either Sir John Mac
donald or Sir Charles Upper will present the
treaty to the Canadian parliament Mr..
Chamberlain has arranged to sail for Eng.
land on the 25th or Goth inst.