The west Tennessee star. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1888, 1888-08-31
PR ESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Special Message to Congress on the
Fisheries Question.
a Vigorous RetaIiatOry Policy Proposed,
and Aid and Authority Asked to
Garry the Same Into Prac-
tlcaI Effect.

sent to Congress yesterday a message In
reference to the rejection of the
Fisheries treaty by the Senate.
He recommends immediate legisla-
ton comforting upon the Executive
the power to suspend by proclamation
the operation of all laws and regulations
permitting the transit of goods, wares
and merchandise in bond across or over
the territory of the United States to or
from Canada Legislation is also 'recom-
mended that Will give Canadian vessels
navigating our canals precisely the same
advantages granted to American vessels
In Canada, and that both he measured
by the same rule of discrimination. The
same communication in its full text is as
follows:
To THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES:
The rejection by the Senate of the treaty late
Iy 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, seems to justify survey OF the con-
dition to which the pending question is thus
remitted. The treaty upon this subject con-
cluded in 1918 through disagreements as to the
meaning of its terms, has been a fruitful source
of irritation and trouble. Our citizens en-
gagged in fishing enterprises in waters adjacent
to Canada have been subjected to numerous
vexations interferences and annoyances.
Their vessels have been seized upon protests
which appeared to be entirely inadmissable,
and they have been otherwise treated by the
Canadian authorities and officials in a manner
ineXcusably harsh and. oppressive This con-
duct has been justified by Great Britain and
Canada by the claim that the treaty
OF 1918 permitted it, and upon
the ground that it necessary to
the proper protectiop of Canadian interests
We deny that treaty agreements justify
these acts, and we further main tain that aside
from any treaty restraints. or disputed inter
pretatlons, 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
amicable relations surely guarantee, and
above all, the iberaIity always extended by
the United States to the people
of Canada, furnished motives for
kindness and consideration higher and bet
ter than treaty covenants. While keenly
sensitive to all that was exasperating in the
condition, and by no means indisposed to sup
port the just complaints OF our injured citizens
still deemed it my duty for the preservation
of important American interests which were
directly involved, and IN view of ali the details
OF the situation, to attempt by negotiation
to remedy existing wrongs and to
finally terminate by fair and
lust treaty these ever-recurring causes of diff1-
Guilty. fully believe that the treaty just re-
jected by the Senate well suited to the
exigency, and that its provisions were adequate
for our security in the future from Yexatious
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 motives which prompted its
negotiation are Of Importance 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 provisions, and with the evident intention,
not wanting expression, that no negotiation
should at present be concluded touching the
matter. The cooperation necessary for the
adjustment OF the outstanding National
differences with which we have to deal by
methods OF conference and agreement having
thus been declined, am by no meaEs disposed
to abandon the interests and the rights Of our
people in the premises or to neglect their
grievances; and 7 therefore turn to the con-
temptation of plan of retaliation as q mode
which still remains of treating the situation.
am not unmindful OF the gravity OF the re-
spOnsibIitV assumed in adopting this lin 9 OF
conduct; nor do fail in the least to appreci
alto its serious consequences. Il
will be impossible to iniure our Canadian
neighbors by retaliation measures without in
dicting some damage upon our own citizens.
This results from our proximity, commu
nifty of interests and the inevitable comingling
OF the business enterprises which have been
developed by mutual activity. Plainly stated,
the policy of National retaliation manifestly
embraces the infiiction Of the greatest harm
upon those who have injured US, with the least
possible damaEe TO ourselves. There
is also an evident propriety as well
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 vigoroNs. These considerations lead me at
this time to invoke the aid and council of the
/ Congress and its support in such further
grant OF power as seems to me necessary and
desirable to render effective the policy have
indicated The Congress has already
! passed a law which received execu-
tive assent on the third day
/ of sNIarch, 1887, providing that in case Ameri-
can fishing vessels, being visiting in the
4 waters at any OF the ports OF the British do
! minions OF North America, should be- or lately
/ had been, deprived Of these rights, to which
/ they were entitled by treaty or law, or If they
were denied certain other privileges therein
/ specified. or vexed and harrassed in the enjoy
ment OF the same, the President might deny
/ to vessels and their masters and crews of the
British dominions Of North America any en-
trance into the waters, ports or harbors
of the United States. and also deny entry in to
/ any port or place of the United States of any
/ product Of said Dominion or other goods COM
ing from said Dominion to the United States.
1 While shall not hesitate, upon proper occa-
sion, to enforce this act, it would seem to be
/ unnecessary to suggest thath such enforce
y ment is limited In such 8 manner as shall re-
suit in the. least possible injury to our own
/ people, the enect would probably
I be entirely inadequate to the
accomplishments of the purpose desired.
/ deem it my duty, therefore, to call the atten-
tion Of the Congress to certain particulars in
the action Of the authorities OF the Dominion
! OF Canada in addition to she general aIFsga-
tions already made, which appeared to be in
| such marked contrast to the liberal and friend
/ ly DISPOSITION Of our country as. in my opinion,
to call for such legislation as viii, upon the
/ principles already stated, properly supplement
/ the power to inaugurate retaliation already
vested in the Executive.
| Actuated by the generous and neigh borly
spirit which has characterized our legislation,
/ our tariff laws have, since 1866 been so far
/ waived IN favor Of anada as to allow free OF
duty the transit across the territory of the
( United States OF property arriving at our
I ports and destined to Canada. or exported
from Canada to other foreign countries. When
the treaty Of Washington was negotiated IN
| 1871, between the United States and Great Brit
| ain, having for its object very largely the
modification OF the treaty OF 1918, the privileges
| above referred 70 were reciprocal and given IN
1 return by Canada to the United States in the
following language contained in the Twenty
/ ninth article CT said treaty:
at is agreed that for the term Of years men,
toned in Article 50 OF this treaty, goods. wares
or merchandise arriving 81 the ports of New
/ York, Boston and Portland and any cthsr
/ may from time 20 time be specially
/ designated By the President OF
the United States. and destined for
her Brtttanic Msfesty's Possessions In North
/ AA1SGte8 GA1J DC uA@SAe4 ~ t4A0 proper NusboAA'
/ house and conveyed fn erauisf without the
payment Of duties through the territory Of the
United States. under such rules. regulations
and conditions for the protection OF the revenue
as the government OF the United States may
from time 70 time prescribes and under like
rules, regulations and conditions. goods, wares
/ or merchandise may be conveyed in transit
without the payment OF duties from
such possessions through the terri
tory OF the United States
for export from the said ports of the uniaed
States II fs further agreed that for the like
/ period goods, wares or merchandise arriving al
azy e shs psrta 6 hsE Brttaa1S Haisstg's