Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1888-02-24
MADE PUBLIC.
The Presidents Letter to Congress-,
Giving the Terms OF the Pro-
posed Fisheries Treaty.
In All Respects Advantageous to Those
oOnceIned-Documents and Messages
to be Laid Before the People.
THE PRESIDENTS LITTER.

WASHINGTON, FEB. 2l.-The Senate to-
dsy made public the fisheries tresty with
| the Presidents letter of transmittsl. The
Presidents letter with the historical part
omitted is as follows, and practically
covers the treaty:
In my annual message transmitted to
Congress In December, 1886, it was stated
, that negotiations were then pending for
the settlement OF the questions growing
out OF the right claimed by American
fishermen in British North American wa
tiers. AS result Of such negotiations
treaty has been agreed upon be-
tween Her Brittanic Msjasty and
the United States, conc uded and
signed in this capital under my direction
and authority on the 18th Of February
i0st.s and which l now have the honor to
submit to the Senate. with the recon-
mendation that IT shall receive the con-
sent OF that body as provided In the con-
s'itution in order thsJ ratification thereof
may be duly exchanged, ond the tresty
carried into effect. Shortly after Con
gress had adj burned IN March last, and in
continuation Of my forts to arrive atsuch
an agreement between the government Of
Great Britain snd the United States rs
would secure to the citizsIs of the re-
spective countries u1moles.ed enjoyment
Of their just rights under the treaties and
international comfy in territorial waters
OF Canada and Newfoundland, 1 awaited
myself OF opportune occurrences indicA-
tive OF desire to make without delay an
AMICABLE AND FINAL
settlement Of the long-standipg contro-
Versy, productive Of much irritation and
Misunderstanding between the two ma
ions, to send through our minister in
Loudon proposals that q conference
should take place on the subject at this
capital. The experience of the past two
years had demonstrated the dilatory and
unsatisfactory consequences of our
Indirect transaction Of business through
the foreign office In London In
which the views and wishes of
the government of the Dominion of Can
ada were practically predominant but
were only to fad expression at second
h2nd. To obviate this inconvenience and
obstruction to prompt aud well defined
settlement Il was considered advisable
that negotiations should be conducted in
tois city and that the interests of Canada
and newfoundland should be directly rep
resented therein.
TIE treaty meets my approval because
believe that II supplies = satisfactory,
practical snd hlal adjustment upon 8
basis honorable ard Just to both parties
of the difficulty and vexed questions to
which 1t relates.
The grester part Of the correspondence
which has taken place between the two
governments has heretofore been CON-
municeted to Congress and 81 as early {.
dare as possible. l shall transmit the re-
maiDiag portion TO this date, accompany
ing It with the joint protocols OF the con-
ferences which resulted In Q conslusion OF
the treaty now submitted to you. You
will thus be fully possessed Of the records
and history Of the case since the ternina-
ton June 10, 1881 of the fishery article
Of the treaty OF Washington of 1871,
whereby we we're re egsted TO the prov's-
ION Of the treaty Of October 20, 1918
l believe the treaty will De found 10 con-
GsIu q Just, honorable, and therefore salts
factory, solution of the difficulties which
have clouded our relations with our
neighbors on
OUR NORTHERN BORDER.
Especially satisfactory do | believe the
proposed arrangement will be found by
those OF our citizen who are engaged in
open sea fisheries adjacent to the Cana
dian coast and resortipg to those ports
ard harbors under treaty provisions
and the rules Of international
law. The proposed changing
Of the lines Of exclusive fisheries from
common fisheries will give certainty, and
security rs TO the area Of their legitimate
h4ld. The hesdland theory Of imaginary
nnes is abandoned by Great Britain, and
the specification in tbs treaty of certain
nsT ed bays especially provided for gives
satisfaction to the Inhabitants Of the
shores without subtrscting materially
from the value or convenience of the
fishery rights Of Americans. The unin-
terrupted navigation OF the Straits Of
C4nso is expressly and for the first time
eflrmed, and the four purposes for which
cur e yhermen under the treaty Of 1878
were allowed to enter the bsys and bar
bora Of Canada and Newfoundland with
In & belt OF three marine miles are placed
under 2 fair snd liberal construction apd
their employment secured without eucn
conditions and restrictions Ss in tie past
have embarrassed and obstructed them
SO seriously.
The enforcement OF penalties for un-
ls~iully hing or preparing to fish
within the inshJre spd exclusive waters
o. Canada and Newfoundland Is to De
accomplished under safeguards sgsinst
oppressive or 0roitrary action, thus pro-
! tee Jog the defendant fishermen from
punishment IN advance Of trial, delays
and inconvenience EDd unnecessary eX
psnse. The history Of the events OF the
last Two years shows that no feature Of
the Canadian administration WAS more
HARAssIN0 AND INJURIOUS
than conpulsion upon our fishing vessels
70 make iormsl entry aud clearance On
every occasion of temporarily seeking
shelter in Canadian ports and harsors
Such Inconvenience Is provided against
In the proposed treaty ard this most
frequent snd inst CAUSE Of complaint is
removed. Articles permitting our Usher
men to obtain provisions and the ordinary
supplies of trsding vessels on their
home ward voyages and under which they
are accorded further and even more i'm
portsnt privileges on sill occasions Of
purchasing such casual and neediul pro-
| visions and supplies ss are ordinarily
granted to trading vessels are Of great
importance and value. The licenses,
which are to be granted without charge
ard en- az plication in order to enable our
f.hermen to enjJy these privileges, are
reasonable ana proper checks in the
nGnds Of the local authorities to
identify the recipients and pre-
vent abuse, aud can form
no impeachment to those Who intend to use
! them fairly. The hospitality secured for
our vessels In sll cases Of actual distress,
with liberty to unload and sell and tran