The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-08-28
THE DESPERATE EFFORT
OF Cleveland to Retrieve the
Diplomatic Reputation
OF HIS ADMINISTRATION
Falls Very Flat-The Blur Message
Considcrcd-Thc Greatest "FIop
on Record"-Demasosy of
the First Water.

New YoRK, n. Y. August 27.-Th
Tribune says: The Presidents desper
ate attempt to retrieve the dipIomati
reputation OF his Administration ren
dcrs review of its Canadian polio!
timely. When he entered upon Office I
transition stage in sthe relations OF thu
United States and the Dominion was ap
preaching. The fisheries clauses of tht
Treaty Of Washington had proved nj
unsatisfactory and inequitablc arrange
ment so fur rs American interests were
concerned. An exhorbitant price fol
inshore fishing rights had been exaeted
by the Halifax arbitrators. The award
of S5,5OO,OOO was paid under pro,
test, and when the period which it EN-.
braCed bad passed there was no dispo-
sition on the part Of the United States
to reopen negotiations for a renewal OF
the contract. Experience had demon
strated that the Canadian inshore fish
cries were not worth rs much to Ameri-
can fishermen as the privilege OF free en-
try to the New England market was to
the Dominion fishing feet. According
ly, notice was given to the British Gov
Crnment OF the abrogation of the fisher
les articles. BY act OF Congress and
President Arthur's proclamation these
articles were to lapse on July !, 1885.
The American fishing fleet had known
for two years what would happen, and
were not only fully prepared for the
change, but very eager to have their
home market protected against their
Canadian rivals.
This was the situation when the Presi-
dent was inauguIated. Congress had
ahrogated the fisheries article; President
Arthur had proclaimed the change Of
policy, and American fishermen were
delighted with the prospect of securing
relief from the burdens OF an inequita-
bic treaty. What was the first diplomat
ic act OF the new Administrator in these
circumstances? Secretary Bayard having
been approached by the astute British
Minister affected alarm on account OF the
revision to the Treaty OF 1878 in the
middle Of fishing season. He CRATE
fully accepted an offer from Canada for
Il temporary extension Of the inshOre
fishing privileges, provided the Presi-
dent in his first message would recon-
mend u settlement OF the fisheries dis
pute by arbitration. The British Min
ister was thus allowed in the first in
stance to dictate passage OF the mes
sage relating to the fisheries. The alb
rOgated clauses were continued in force
for six months without authority OF Con-
grcss. A policy in the interest OF
American fishermen, which had received
theapproYal OF the Senate and House, and
had been officially proclaimed by Presi-
dent Arthur, was reversed before the
new Administration had been in power
for three months.
The President carried out Secretary
Bayard's compact with the British Min
lister, but the Senate rejected by deci-
sivc vote his recommendation for arbi
tration. The season OF 1856 opened with
the Treaty of 1878 in operation, and the
first series OF outrage on American COM
merce occurred on the Dominion sea-
board. Congress passed Retaliation
measure without division on party lines.
The President made no attempt to en-
force this legislation during that season,
nor in the following year, although us
many as four hundred American vessels
were boarded, seized, harassed and sub.
jected to expense or annoyance on the
Dominion seaboard. He met Congress
with complaint that the retaliatory
powers were inadequate, and the dec
laration that diplomacy was the only
remedy. The Senate promptly enlarged
those powers in 1887, Democrats and
Republicans voting rs one man. Then
was witnessed strange spectacle. The
Administration exertod all its influence
for months to prevent the passage fany
Retaliation measure. The Belmont and
Manning projects were brought forward
apparently for the express purpose OF
blocking legislation altogether on this
subject. This manoeuvre was defeated
by the passage OF the Senate bill in the
House largely by Republican votes.
The Administration having been twice
armed with authority from Congress,
evaded its responsibility, neglected to
enforce the retaliation acts, and pursued
its diplomatic adventures. After hun
dreds Of American vessels had been har-
assed and denied their commercial rights
it made a humiliating treaty of surrender
without securing reparation for wrongs
suffered by American citizens or for in
suits offered to the American flag. At
the same time it had loaded Canadian
corporations with gratuities worth mill
ions OF dollars to them in their warfare
upon American commerce and railways.
This is the Administration that sudden
ly bounces upon the scene like circus
clown in the stripes and spangles OF the
American hag, shrieking that it will re.
taliate and fight hard ii Congress will
only furnish It with larger pair OF box
ng-gloves.