New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-02-17
MUCH UNCERTAINTY AMONG SHIPPERS.

CONSUL-Gt NERAL PHELANS DOlKlS ABDUL
TREATY-TnE MACKrREL TRADE.
HALIFAX Feb. 10 (SpeciaD Information in refer
snco TO the treaty is vague and unsatisfactory
that IL Is difficult to obtain expressions OF practical
opinion. Said prominent member of the Canadian
Parliament, representing a fishing county, to IHE
TRIBUNE correspondent: 1t isn't safe to have an
opinion this week.
Consul. General Phelan, though he Knew nothing
Officially privately expressed his doubts about any
new treaty being made and thinks that the arrange
to is merely an Interpretation OF the treaty
OF 1918 by which Canada will be forced to rehngush
some OF the p,eposorous claims she has hlthefto as
serted In regard to that treaty, such as denying
commercial privileges to American vessels, the
ransshipment of cargoes in bond, and the inhoSpit-
able treatment of American vessels entering Cana
dian ports in distress
Il Think he said, that the Commissioners have
unanimously agreed to a line of Humanitarian policy
for the coming year, pending the Submission of the
great questions issue to another tribunal for hna
settlement. 1t is, / think, simply impossible for
the present Commission in SO short time to have
settled the dis putes of century, as well as those
that have arisen since the treaty of Washington
do not believe that the United States have been
party to the SUBMISSION Of this temporary arrange
mont to the ratification OF any colonial parliamentary
body such atfcstion would be simply domestic
matter between England and her colonies and OF no
to tho United States.
Prom what you know OF Canadian sentiment, do
you believe any arfansemont that does mol H.
cude Tree admission OF Canadian ilsh into Anefi-
markets. viii DO satisfactory to CanadiansP ,
Dir Phclan-I do not believe II Will, but think
that the result this arrangement Will DO 10 give
Us very quiet year In 1855 and that American nsh-
ermen will permitted to pursue their avOcatlon
without annoyaIc and this Will be good thing
for 10th parties.
James ButIor Co. ship more fish to the States
than any other firm in this city. This last year they
shipped @2UO,OOO worth to New-lork Mr. Butler
Is satisfied with the treaty If 1t is as he surmises
from the vague Idea given In the papers. lie has
always been of the opinion that as friendly nation
we should allow American fishermen to fish, or at
least buy bait in waters a. our fishermen are
allowed to do in American waters.
G.. u. Mitchell & Sons did not care to give an
opinion in view of the vagueneSs OF the information
at hand.
g. f. Boak, of George 4. Boak Co., large ship
pers, said that whatever the duty Is made Canadian
fishermen Will be the ones to suffer. " We are" he
said, almost dependent on tho United States for a
market for our fat mackerel Most all of this class
of fish goes there and many OF our fishermen rely
on tho fat mackerel for their winter provisions.
Picked fish win be principally affected He as
sumed that dry fish shipped to Havana and other
places by way OF United States ports would not have
10 pay duty. II the Americans are allowed TO ship
their catch from Canadian ports he expected that
tho Gloucester firms would establish agencies on the
Strait of Canso from which the catch OF these YES
scls wonld be Forwarded, which would further haDdi-
cap Canadians. The selling of bait was unQuestion-
ably benefit to fishermen, but whether that beneht
was counteractod Ia another way 1t was hard to say