San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1888-09-06
FOR RETALIATION
An Important Message Follows the
Fisheries Treaty Rejection.
Congress Asked to take such Action as will
Deprive Canada Of the Right to Trans
port Across American Territory.


, To THE CONGRESS:
Tho rejection by the senate Of the treaty
lately negotiated for the settlement and i'd
justment Of the differences existing between
J tho United States and Great Britain concern
Ing the rights and privileges OF American
fishermen IN tho ports and waters OF British
North America, seems to justify survey Of
the condition to which the pending question
; Is thus remitted.
The treaty upon this subject concluded In
J 1918, through disagreements as TO the
meaning Of Its terms. has been fruitful
source OF irritation and trouble. Our citi-
zens engaged in fishing enterprises In waters
adjacent to Canada have boon subjected
TO numerous vexatious interferences and an
noyances, their vessels have been seized upon
pretexts which appeared to be entirely
inadmissible, and they have been otherwise
treated by the Canadian authorities
and officials in manner inexcusably harsh
aud oppressive This conduct has been justi-
fed by Great Britain and Canada by the
claim that tho treaty of 1918 permitted It,
and upon the ground that 1t was necessary
TO the proper protection Of Canadian inter-
ests. 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 near neighbors,
the growth Of our joint commerce, the de-
velopment and prosperity Of both countries,
which amicable relations surely guarantee,
and, above all, the liberalty always extended
by the United States to the people Of Canada,
furnished motives for kindness and consider
alton higher and better than treaty cove
nants.
While keSnly sensitive to all that was ex-
asperatiRg in the condition, and by no means
indsposed to support the just complaints Of
our injured citizens, l still deemed it my
duty, for the preservation Of important
American interests which were directly in
volved, and In view of all the details Of the
situation, to attempt by negotiation to
remedy existing wrongs and to finally ter
inmate, by fair and just treaty, these ever
recurring causes of difficulty.
fully believe that tSs treaty just rejected
by the senate was well suited to the exigency,
and that its provisions were adequate for our
security in the future from vexatious incl
dents and for the promotion OF friendly
neghborhood and intimacy without sacrific-
Ing 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 1t is of impor-
tance to note that this treaty has been re-
tected without any apparent disposition on
the part Of the senate to alter or amend It's
provisions, and with the evident intention,
not wanting expression, that no negotiation
should at present be concluded touching the
| matter at issue.
The cooperation necessary for the adj just
ment Of the long standing national differ
| ences with which we have to deal, by
methods OF conference and agreement, hav-
ing thus been declined, / am by no means
disposed t. abandon the interests and the
rights Of our people in the premises, or to
neglect their grievances; and l therefore
turn to the contemplation of plan Of retail
alton as mode. which still remains, Of treat
ing the situation. / am not unmindful Of
the gravity of the responsibility assumed in
adopting this line of conduct, nor do l fail
In the least to appreciate its serious conse-
auenoes, It will be impossible to injure our
Canadian neighbors by retaliatory measures
without inficting some damage upon our
own citizens This results from our proxim
ity, our community Of interests, and the in
evitable commingling Of the business enter
prises which have been developed by mutual
activity.
Plainly stated, the policy Of national re-
taliation manifsstly embraces the infiction
Of the greatest harm upon those who have
injured us, with the least possible damage to
ourselves. There is also an evident propriety
as well as an invitation to 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 all things
the plan of retaliation, IL entered upon, should
be thorough and vigorous. These consider
ations lead me at this time to invoke the aid
and counsel Of the congress- and its support
In such a further grant Of power as seems to
me necessary and desirable to render effective
the policy have indicated.
The congress has already passed law,
which received executive assent on the third
day OF March, 1897, providing that in case
American fishing vessels being or visiting In
the waters or at any Of the ports OF the Brit
lsh Dominions Of North America, shoul be,
or lately had been, deprived of the rights to
which they were entitled by treaty or law,
or II they were denied certain other privI-
leges therein sp ,cified, or vexel aad ha-
raised In the enjoyment OF ths same, the
president might deny TO vesse:s and their
matters and crews Of the British Doninions
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 Dominions, or other goods coming from
said Dominions to tho United States
While shall not hesitate upon proper Oc-
casion 10 enforcs this act, it would seem 10
4. ar=yf IN GrIan an
forcement is limited in such a manner as
shall result in the least possible injury 10 our
own people, the effcct would probably bs en-
tirely inadequate 10 the accomplishment Of
the purpJse desired. | deem il my duty,
therefore, % call the attention Of the con-
gress to certain particulars ia the action Of
the authorities OF the Domino on of Canada,
in addition to the general allegations already
made, which appear 10 be in such mark u
contrast 20 the liberal and friendly dispoi-
ton Of our country a. In my opinion 81 cau
for such legislation as viii, upon the p-in-
ciples already statsi. properly supplement-
the power 10 inaugurate retaliation already
vested In the executive.
Ac.uttsd ly the generous and neighborly
uirit which has charactsrized our leZisla-
tion. our tarif laws have since isff ben %
far waived In favor Of Canada 81 10 allow
frss of duty the transit soross the isrrltogy
@ The Unitsi States % property arriving a.
cur t,ortS and destined 70 Caua1a, 90 er-
p1rtssd from Canada % other fOreiEn
ountri.s Wbsn tbs treaty q Washl nEtoa
pas Dsz0tisbsi IN is7l bstwesa the Uniis1
SiAses and Great Britain, having for il o.
jsot very largely TIE mobilization q tbs
treaty e ISIS. TIE privileges abovs rsfsrTed
- we're ms6s rsoiTroosl AID given IN rst1rn
b. CGosdA % tbs Unitsd Ststss n TIE ID