The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1888-08-29
CLEVELAND'S MESSAGE.
The President Asks Congress to Further
Authorize Him in Relation to
the Fisheries Treaty.
He Would Forbid the Transit Of D0mins
Ion Merchandise In Bond Across
American Territory.
IWalhincton su,cisl.l

(wathincton spscisl.1
The President sent q long message TO Con-
gress, the 23d, In regard to the rejected fisheries
treaty and recommended that power be given
transit I'm bond across United States territory OF
goods going 10 or coming from Canada The
President, after referring To the injuries and an
noyances which lod y TO the negotiation OF the
treaty. and expressing his belief that the re-
jected treaty was adequate for the settlement OF
the difficulty without sacrificing our national
Il am quite conscious that neither my opinion
OF the value of the rejected treaty nor the mo-
tive which prompted its negotiation is OF I'M
portance I'm the light of the judgment OF the
Senate ihsreupon. But IL ia OF Importance TO note
that this treaty has been rejected without any
apparens disposition on the par OF the senate TO
altor or amend its provisions and with the evil
dent int nton, no. wanting expression. that no
nogotia ion should at present be concluded
touching tbs matter at issue.
The cooperation necessary Tor tho ADJUST
ment OF the long standing national differences
with which We have TO deal by methods of con-
ference and reement. having thus been de-
clned, am by no means disposed 10 abandon
the interest and the rights of our people in the
premises or TO neglect their grievances, and
therefore turn TO the contemplation OF plan OF
retaliation Gs mode which still remains OF
treating the situation. 1 am not unmindful of
the gravity OF the responsibility assumed in
adopting this line OF conduct, nor do fail in the
least to appreciate its serious consequences. 1t
will be impossible TO injure our Canadian neigh
bors by rctaiiatory measures without inficting
some damage upon our own citizens.
PLAINLY stated, the policy OF national retala-
ton manifestly embraces ths inhiction OF the
greatest harm upon those who have injured US
with the least possible damage to ourselves.
There is also an evdent propri 'ty. as well as an
invitation 20 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 en-
tered upon, should be thorough and vigorous.
These considerations lead mo at this time to
invoke the aid and counsel OF the Congress and
It's support IN such furthsr grant OF power as
seems TO me necessary and desirable TO render
effective tho policy l have indicated
The President then refers 10 the retaliation
act passed in March, 1887, aud Grgaes that It's
enforcement in such manner as would result in
the least possible injury TO our own psople
would prove inadequate fer the accomplishment
Of the pGrpose desired The message says:
while shall not hesitate upon proper occas-
ions TO enforce this act, it would seem To be UNI
necessary 10 suggest that. II such enforcement Is
limited in such manner as shall result in the
least possible injury 10 our own people, the ef-
feet would probably be ina1equa,e 10 the accom-
plishnlent Of the purpose desired.
Il deem IL INV duty, therefore, TO call the at
tention of Congress 70 certain particulars in the
action of the authorities of the Dominion Of
Canada in addition 10 the general allegations al
ready made, which appear 10 be in such marked
contrast to the liberal and friendly position OF
our country as, in my opinion, TO call for such
legislation as will, upon the principles already
stated properly supplement tie power to innug-
tive"
The message quotes the twenty-ninth article
OF the treaty OF 1871, allowing the passage in
bond across the United States territory of goods
destined for Canada, aud comforting n like privi-
lege upon goods passing through Canada aud
destined for the United States. Since 1885, tho
President says, this privilege has been denied
10 American fishermen and since then they
have not been allowed 10 ship their fish in bond
through Canadian territory To this country.
After stating that the value OF British Canadian
exports and imports carried across Americ an
territory in the last six years was SZ70OOO,0 0)
nearly ell of which was dutiabie goods, the
President says:
Il recommend immediate legislative action
comforting upon the Executive the power TO sus-
pend by proclamation tho operation of all laws
and regulations permitting the transit of goods,
wares and merchandise in bond acress or over
tho territory Of the United States to or from
Canada
There need be no hesitation in suspending
these laws arising from the superstition that
their continuation Is secured by treaty oblga-
tons, for it seems quite plain that Article 70 OF
the treaty OF 1871 which was the only article
incorporating such laws, terminated the LIST of
July, 1885. The article itself declares that its
provisions shall be in force for the term OF
Turning TO Article 80 we find no men,
tion OF the twelty-nnth article, but only a
provision that arti les Is 10 %, inclusive, and
ticle 30 shall take effect as soon "a the laws re-
quired TO carry thom into operation shall be
passed by tho legislative bodies OF the different
countries concerned, and that they shall reraain
in force for ten years from the date at which
they may come into operation, and further, until
the expiration OF two years after either OF the
high contracting parties shall have given notice
TO the other OF its W .sh to terminate the same.
Il am OF the opinion that the term of years
mentioned in article 80 referred TO in article 2a
rs the limit of its duration means the period
during which articles Is to 25 inclusive, and arti
Gle 30, commonly called the fishery articles
shall continue in force under the language OF
said article 81
The President also quotes to the same effect
from the law passed by Congress to carry the
treaty into effect. and continues:
I'm any event, and whether the law OF 1873 con.
strues the treaty or governs it, section 30 OF such
treaty, / have no doubt, terminated with the
proceedings taken by our Government TO terlni.
nate articles Is TO 25 inclusive and article 30 OF
the treaty. These proceedings had their incep-
ton in joint resolution of Congress-, passed May
3, 1888, declaring that In the Judgment OF Con.
gress these articles ought TO be terminated, and
directing the President TO give the notice TO the
Government Of Great Britain provided for in
given two years prior to the LIST day Of July
1885. the articles mentioned were absolutely
terminated on the last-named day, and with
them Article 20 was also terminated.
But statutes granting TO the people OF Canada
the valuable privileges of transit for their goods
from our ports and over our soil, which had
been passed prior to the making OF the treaty OF
1871 and independently OF IL, remained in force
and ever since the abrogation of the treaty and
Notwithstanding the refusal of Canada to per
NIT fishermen to send their fish TO theil
home market through our territory in bond the
people of that Dominion have enjoyed without
diminution the advantages Of our liberal and
generous laws.
without basing our complaint upon n viola
ton of treaty obligations, ii Is nevertheless true
that such refusal of transit and tie other inju.
rious acts which have been rejected constitute
provoking insistence upon rights neither miti
gated by the amenities OF national intercourse
nor modified by the recognition OF our liberality
md q nervous considerations.
The history of events connected with this
subject makes IL manifest that the Canadian
Government can, IL so disposed, administer it,
out manifestation of unfriendlness and without
the unneighborly treatment of our fishing vessel
of which we have justly complained and what
ever is done on our part shall be done in the hop
that the disposition OF tie Canadian Government
may remove the occasion of u resort TO the addi
tional executive power now sought through leg
is lative action"
The message concludes as follows:
"The course which / have outlined and TIL
recommendations made relate to the honor anc
| dignity Of our country and the protection ant
preservation OF the rights and interests of al
/ our people. government does but half IL
/ duty when it protects it's citizens ut home an
| permits them TO be imposed upon and humili
| ated by the unfair and OVER eaching disposition
| of other nations. II we invite our people TO re
| ly upon arrangements made for their bench
abroad we should see TO 1t that they are not de
neighboring country our people should reap tn
advantage OF IL by a return OF liberality an
| generosity.
these are subjects which craftsmanship shonl,
/ not obscure or confuse. Let us survey tn