The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1888-08-24


nerabie Points-Acfion that Will
Cripple Canadian Commerce.
WAsHIseros, Aug. 23.-The presi.
dent sent the following message tc
congress this afternoon:
To he Congress rejection By the
senate Of the treaty negotiated for the
settlement and adjustment of the diff.
ferences existing between the United
States and Great Britain, concerning
the rights and privileges Of American
fishermen in the ports and waters ol
British North America. shah justify
a survey Of the condition to which the
pending question is thus remitted.
The treaty upon the subject con-
cindei in 1878, through disagreements
as to the meaning of its terms, has
been a fruitful source of irritation and
trouble. Our citizens engaged in fish.
ing in the waters adjacent to Canada
have been subjected to numerous
vexatious interferences and annoy.
ances. Then vessels have been seized
upon pretexts which appeared to be
entirely inadmissable, and they have
been Otherwise treated by the Canadi.
an authorities and officers in man
ner inexensably harsh and oppressive
This conduct has been justified by
Great Britain and Canada 10y claim
that the treaty of ISIS permitted il
upon the ground that it was necessary
10 the protection of Canadian interests.
We deny that the treaty agreement
justifies these acts, and further main
tain that, aside from any restraints OF
disputed Interpretation, the relative
positions of the United States and
Canada as near neighbors; the growth
OF our joint commerce; the develop
ment and prosperity OF both countries,
which amica bic relations surely guar
antee, and above all the liberality al
ways extended by the United States to
the people of Canada. furnished more
claims for kindness and consideration
and we're better than treaty covenants.
While keenly sensitive to all that
was exasperating in the condition, and
by nogmeans indispo sed to support
the justcomplaints OF our injured cit
izens, Isstsi deemed it my duty to at
tempt by negotiations TO remedy the
wrongs. and finally to elm
mate bya fair and just treaty those
causes OF difficulty.
IT WAS a GOOD TREATY
L fully believe the treaty just rejected
by the senate was well suited 10 the
exigency, and that its provisions were
adequate Tor our security in the future
from vexatious incidents, and for the
promotion of friendly neighbour. cd
and intimacy, without sacrificing in
the least our national pride or dignity
IL is of Importance to note that this
has been effected without any ap-
parent disposition on the part Of the
senate to amend its provisions, and
with the evident intention that no ne
eotiation should at present be con-
Guided touching The matter at issue.
RBrALiATIOs.
am by no means disposed to
abandon the interests and rights of
our people in the premises, or neglect
their grievances and therefore turn
to the contemplation of the plan OF
retaliation an the mode which still re.
mains OF treating the situation. am
not unmindfui OF the gravity OF she
possibility assumed 10 adopting this
line OF conduct, nor do fail to appre-
ciate its seriousness.
IL will he impossible 10 injure our
Canadian neighbors by Tetaliatory
measures without iuiiictiHg some
damage upon our own citizens. The
policy OF retaliation embrace. the in
fiction OF the greatest harm upon
those who have injured US, with the
least possible damage to ourselves,
and above ali things, plan Of retalla-
ton, II entered upon. should be through
and vigorous These considerations
lead me 30 invoke the all and counsel
OF congress, ana its support in such q
further grant 0f power as seems neces-
saFy and desirable 20 render effective
the policy have indicated.
Congress has already passed law
providing that in case American fish
ing vessels being or visiting in the
waters or at ans Of the ports of the
British deSinian Of North America
should be or have been lately deprived
uf rights which they are entitled hy
law, or il they we're denied ether priv
ilcgcs therein specified, the president
might deny 70 vessels and their mas
tiers and crews. of the British domin-
ions Of North America, any entrance
into the waters. ports or harbors ot
the United states, and also deny entry
into any port or place oI the United
states ol any product OF said domiu-
ions. or other goods coming from there
70 the nitrd states While | shall
not hesitate upon proper occasions 70
enforce this act. Il would seem ueces-
sarv ta suggcst that Il the enforcement
B. limitCd In such manner rs shall re-
suit In the least possible iniary to our
own people, the act would probably be
entirely inadequate 30 the accomplish
ment ol it~ purpose.
cASApiAN fSGEATTTUpE.
] deem il duty. therefore. To cal
thc attention Of congress 10 certain
ia the action Of the author
it.cs oi the Dominion al Canada, Ia
addition to tha general allegation nj
ready made, which appear 10 he la
such marked contrast "a the tlienulv
position 81 our country as in nav Opin-
3oa 10 caN far such icri lAtion a. viii.
uYon she pTiuClliss already -t4ted.
properly supplement- the power 90 in-
ausuragy retaliation already vested ~
the eytg tive
Attaat,d by the generous spirit
which has characterize our isgils-
tiou. our tariff laws have since i~si
been so lar waived IN favor Of Canada
as To- allow free Ut duty tAe transit
across the territory of ihe United
states ot property arriving az oar
2 III - D
ported from Canada Ia other coun-
tries. 1he president here quotes the
s3th article oi the treaty of Washing
ton. between the United States and
Great Britain, negotiated IN ISL.
wbich. he says, was largely = uto1l-
ncalion ~ tie treaty oi Isis, 3n y vhsCh
the privileges referred 50 were made
reciprocal and given by Canada 60
the United state Continuing, The
president SAYS During the last
SIX years the imports and exports
IL the british Canadian provinces car
risd across the United states under
the privileges granted by osr laws
amounted IN value 10 about SZ7o.09.
opl. nearly all Of which we're ecotS
dutsah3e under our tarsf laws. By far
the iarEeT part 81 this traffic consisted
a. exchanges Of Cco,3s between Great
Britain and her Amertean province
brought 10 and carFted from our ports
in aGr own vessels The treaty stipa-
iations entered .ato hy oar govern
mcut We c in harmouY With the Laws
Nhi h SeTe thea 0u oar statute hooks
and are -tiH ia f0fce-
FcErRIg = gQ9Css ssxEn.