The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-08-25
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Text Of the Rem arkabIe Document
Transmitted TO Congress.

II
Transmitted to Congress.
The following is the text of the message
| respecting the fisheries question, transmit.
| ted to Congress by the President:
To the Congress:
The rejection by the Senate of the treaty
lately negotiated for the settlement and adjust.
ment of the differences existing between the
United States and Great Britain concerning
the rights and privileges of American fisher
men in the ports and waters of British North
America, seem to justify survey of the con-
diuon TO which the pending question is thus
remitted.
The treaty upon this subject concluded in
1918, through disagreements as to the meaning
OF Its terms has been fruitful source Of irrita-
tion and trouble. Our citizens engaged in
fishing enterprises in waters adjacent to Can
ada have been subjected to numerous vexa-
tious interferences and annoyances, their ves-
sells have been seized upon pretexts which ap-
peared to be entirely inadmissible and they
have been otherwise treated by the Canadian
authorities and officials in a manner inexcus-
ably harsh and oppressive.
This conduct has been justified by Great
Britain and Canada by the claim that the treaty
Of 1878 permitted it, and upon the ground that
It was necessary to the proper protection of
Canadian interests. We deny that treat v
agreements justify these acts, and we further
maintain that, aside from any treaty restraints
OF disputed Interpretation, the relative posi-
tons OF the United States and Canada as near
nei8hbors, the growth of our joint commerce,
the development and prosperity of both coun-
tries, which amicable relations surely guar
antee, and above all, the iberality always ex-
tended by the United States to the people of
Canada, furnished motives for kindness and
consideration higher and better than treaty
covenants
While keenlY sensitive to all that was ex-
asperating in the condition, and by no means
indisposed to support the last complaints Of
our injured citizens, / still deemed il my duty
for the preservation of important American
interests which were directly involved, and in
view of all the details of the situation, TO at
tempt by negotiation to remedy existing
wrongs, and to finally terminate, by fair and
Just treaty. these ever recurring causes of
difficulty. fully believe that the treaty lust
rejected by the Senate was well suited to the
exlgency, and that its provisions were ade-
quate for our security in the future from
vexatious incidents, 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 mo-
tives which prompted its negotiation are Of I'M
portance in the light of the judgment of the
Senate thereupon. But it is Of importance to
note that this treaty has been rejected without
any apparent disposition on the part of the
Senate to alter or amend its provis-
ions, and with the evident intention, not want
ing expression, that no negotiation should at
present he conpludad touch;r~ A. ......- =.
issue.
The cooperation necessary tor the adjust
ment OF the long standing national difference es
with which we have to deal by methods of
conference and agreement, having thus been
declined, am by no means disposed to aban-
don the interests and the rights of our people
IN the premises, or to neglect their grievances
and therefore turn to The contemplation of
plan OF retaliation as a mode, which still re-
mains, of treating the situation.
am not unmindful of the gravity of the re-
sponsibiity assumed in adopting this line of
conduct, nor do fail in the least to appreciate
It's serious consequences. 1t will be impossible
to inlure our Canadian neighbors by retaliatory
measures without intiicting some damage upon
our own citizens. This results from our prox-
unity, our community of interests, and the in
evltaole commingling of the business enter
"--eSA 4AAft nCt-A 0cfcAOpSQ OY mutual
activity,
Plainly stated, the policy of national retalia-
hon manifestly embraces the infiction Of the
greatest harm upon those who have injured us,
with the least possible damage to ourselves.
ihere is also an evident ptopriety, as well as
m invitation to moral support, found in visit
ng 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.
I entered upon, should be thorough and yig-
,rous.
These considerations lead me at this time 10
invoke the aid and counsel Of Congress and its
upport in such further grant Of power as
eems to me necessary and desirable to render |
Effective the policy have indicated. Congress
las already passed law, which received ex- |
'eunve assent the third day of March, 1887, |
providing that IN case American fishing vessels |
,eing or visiting in the waters, or at any of the
,orts Of the British dominions of North Amer
ca, should be- or lately had been, deprived Of
he rights to which they were entitled by treaty |
" law, OF they were denied certain other |
privileges therein specified, or vexed and |
larassed In the enjoyment Of the same the |
PRESIDENT might deny TO vessels and their mas |
ers and crews of the British Dominions of |
North America any entrance into the waters. |
ports or harbors Of the United States. and also |
Q deny entry into any port or place of the |
United States of any product of said Domin- |
ons, or other goods coming from said Domin-
on to the United States.
While | shall not hesitate, upon proper oc-
asion, to enforce this act, it would seem to be
to suggest that if such enforce
nent Is limited in such manner as shall re-
uit in the leas. possible injury TO our own
'eople, the effect would probably be entirely |
nadequate to the accomplishment of the /
,urpose desired.
deem it my duty, therefore, to call the at
ention of the Congress to certain particulars in |
ne action of the authorities on the Dominion
4 Canada, in addition to the general allega-
IONS already made, which appear to be in
uch marked contrast TO the liberal and friendly |
disposition of our country as in my opinion to
all for such legislation as will, upon the |
principles already stated, properly supplement
he power to inaugurate retaliation already
ested in the executive.
Actuated by the generous and neighborly
pirit which has characterized our legislation,
ur tariff laws have. since 1866, been SO far
waived in favor Of Canada, as to allow free Of
uty the transit across the territory of the
United States of property arriving at our ports
nd destined to Canada, or exported from
|
reaty of Washington was negotiated in 1871.
etween the United States and Great Britain,
aving for its object very largely the modifica-
ION OF the treaty OF 1918, the privileges above
eferred TO were made reciprocal, and given N
eturn by Canada to the United States in the
blowing language, contained in the 29th arri-
lie of said treaty:
1t is agreed that for the term 30 roax. !
oned In article S3 Of this treaty, goods wares ~
ercnandls9 arriving at the ports of New Yort
oston s anu rortiand, and any other ports ,n the
nlteu states which have been or NAV from t,me
e ,ba IndpS pe spSsesay designated by the President
4 tne ne United States aud destined for her Britan.
, y msyesSy possessions In North America. NAV
vel ~ - ~ " VIC proper custom house and con
49, ,yNu IL naasit without the payment OF duties
w sne territory of the United States, under
a.u rues regulations and conditions for the pro
n,.i nod .. .ne revenue as the government Of the
~ Isales l may from time 10 time pxescrbe
.ods w aoI Ut IKE rules, regulations and conditions
ans1,, as wares or merchandise may be conveyed In
sIsa assl without the payment OF duties from such
s ,assesslons through the territory Of the United
ates ~ 'S 0''''' PVi'' - - -'N'
Is further agreed that for the like period goods
ares or merchandise arriving at any Of the ports