The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1888-02-23

enjoy these privileges, are reasonable
and proper checks in the hands of local
authorities to identify recipients aud pre-
vent abuse and can form no impediment
to those who intend to use them.
The hospitality secured for our vessels
in all cases of actual distress, with liberty
to unload and sell and tranship their car
goes, is full and liberal. These provisions
will secure the substantial enjoyment of
treaty rights for our fishermen under the
treaty of 1918.
The right of our fishermen, under the
treaty of 1918, did not extend to the pro-
curement of distinctive fishery supplies
in Canadian ports and harbors, and one
Item supposed to be essential, to-wit:
"Bait," was plainly denied them by the
explicit and definite words of the treaty
of 1918, emphasized by the course of
negotiation and express decisions which
preceded the conclusion OF that treaty.
The treaty now submitted contains no
provision affecting tariff duties, and, in
dependently of the position assumed on
the part of the United States, that no
alteration in our tariff, or other domestic
legislation could be made as the price or
the consideration of obtaining the rights
of our citizens secured by treaty. 1t was
considered more expedient to allow any
change in the revenue laws of the United
States to be made by the ordinary re-
striction of the legislative will, and in
promotion of the public interests.
Therefore, the addition to the free list
of fish, fish oil, whale and seal oil, etc., in
the last article of the treaty, is left to the
action of congress-, and in connection
Herewith the Canadian and Newfoundland
right to regulate the sales of bait and
other fishing supplies within their own
jurisdiction is recognized, and the right
of our fishermen to freely purchase these
things is made contingent by this treaty
upon the action of congress in the modi-
tication of our tariff laws.
The treaty now submitted to you has
been framed in a spirit of liberal equity
and reciprocal benefits in the conviction
that matual advantage and convenience
are the only permanent foundation of
peace and friendship between states, and
that with the adoption of the agreement
now placed before the senate the bene-
fetal and satisfactory intercourse between
the two countries will be established so to
secure permanent peace and harmony.
In connection with the treaty herewith
submitted l deem it also my duty to
transmit to the senate the written offer or
arrangement in the nature of the modus
vivendi, rendered after the conclusion of
the treaty on the part of the British
lenipotentiaries, to secure kindly and
peaceful relations during the period chat
may be required for the consummation of
the treaty by the respective governments
for the enactment of the necessary legis-
lation to carry its provisions into effect if
approved.
This paper, freely and on their own
motion, signed by the British conferees,
not only extends advantages to our
fishermen pending the ratification of the
treaty, but appears to have been dictated
by friendly and amicable spirit.
am given to understand that other
governments concerned In this treaty wiz
within few days, in accordance wiOl
their methods of conducting public Ousi'
ness, submit said treaty to their respectiv;
Legislatures, when it will at once be pub
j lished to the world.
I In view of such action, it appears TO bl
advisable that publication here early of e
full knowledge of all that has been done
in the premises should be afforded to oul
people. 1t would also seem to be usefu
to inform the popular mint
concerning the history of the Ions
continued disputes growing, ou
of the subjects embraced Il
the treaty, and to satisfy public interest
touching the same, as well as to acquain
our people with the present status o
the questions involved, and to give then
the exact terms of the proposed adjust
ment in place of exaggerated ant
imaginative statements which will other
wise reach them.
1 therefore beg leave respectfully tt
suggest that said treaty, and all such cor
respondence, messages and document
relating to the same as may be deeme'
important to accomplish these purposes
be at once made public by order of you
honorable body.
Signed GROVER CLEVELAND.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, February 20, 1885