The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-08-24
FISHERIES RETALIATION
PRESIDENT CLEVELAND SENDS A
MESSAGE TO CONGRESS.


ment Was Received.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 23.-President Cleve-
land sent message to congress to day on
the rejection Of the fisheries treaty.
In the house the reading Of the paper was
listened to with profound attention. At its
conclusion the democrats burst into ap-
plause. The speaker referred the document
to the committee on foreign affairs, Mr..
McCreary of Kentucky securing unani-
nous consent to report from the committee
on the subject at any time.
HOW THE SENATE DoDGED IT.
In the senate, Mr.. Pruder, one of the
Presidents secretaries, appeared and de-
liveled to the senate "a message in writing"
Soon afterward Mr.. Wilson of Iowa yielded
to Mr.. EdmundS, who moved an adjourn
ment
Mr.. Morgan suggested that the President
intended to Sc an important message
(meaning the subject of the rejection of the
fisheries treaty.
The presiding officer-The message has
been already received.
Mr.. Morgan-I hope it will be submitted
to the senate before adjournment.
Mr.. Edmunds-The message can wait till
tomorrow.
Mr.. Morgan-I ask the yeas and nays on
the motion to adjourn.
The question was taken and the motion
was agreed to by a vote of 80 yeas to 20
nays-a strict party vote; so the senate at
4:I5 o'clock adjourned till tomorrow noon.
TEXT OF THE MESSAGE.
Following is the text of the message:
The rejection by the senate of the treaty
lately negotiated for the settlement and adjust
ment of the differences existing between the
Gfota md (sraa "a piVtert tba
rights and privileges of American fishermen in
the ports and waters of British North America
seems to justify survey of the condition to
which the pending question is thus RENTED.
The treaty upon this subject, concluded in 1918,
through disagreements to the meaning of it's
terms, has been a fruitful source of irritation
and trouble. Our citizens engaged in fish
ing enterprises in waters adjacent to
Canada have been subjected to numerous
vexatious interferences and annoyances, their
vessels have been seized upon preteXts which
appeared to be entirely nadmissible, and they
have been otherwise treated by Canadian
thoritieS and officials in a manner inexcusably
harsh and oppressive This conduct has been
justified By Great Britain and Canada by tie
claim that the treaty of 1913 permitted it and
upon the ground that It was necessary to
proper protection of Canadian interests.
We deny that the treaty agreements Justify
these acts, and we further maintain that aside
from any treaty restraints OF disputed interpre-
tations, the relative positions of the United
States and Canada near neighborS, the
growth of our joint commerce, the development
and prosperity of both countries, which AMIGA
bic RELATIONS surely guarantee, and above
the United states to the people of
Canada, furnished motives for kindness
and consideration higher and better
than treaty covenants. While keenly sensitive
TO all that was claimed in the conditions, and
by no means indisposed to support the just
complaints OF our injured citizens, | still
claimed it my duty for the preservation of i'm
pOrtant American interests which were directly
involved. and in view of all the details Of the
situation, to attempt by negotiation to remedy
the existing wrongs, and to finally terminate by
fair and just treaty those ever recurring
causes of difficulty. l fully believe that the
treaty just rejected by the senate was well
suited TO the exigency, and that its
provisions were adequate for our security in
the future from Vexatious incidents and for the
promotion Of a friendly neighborhood ard init
macy without sacrificing in the least our
national pFide or dignity
am quite conscious that neither my opinion
on 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
10 note that this treaty has been re-
jected without any apparent disposition on
the part of the senate to alter its amendments,
and with the evident intention not wanting
preston, that no negotiation should at present
be closed touching the IN tier at issue.
The cooperation necessary for the adjust
ment of the long standing national differences
with which we have to deal by methods of con
ference and agreement having thus been de-
clined am by no means disposed to abandon
the interests and rights of our people in the
premises, or to neglect their grievances, and
therefore turn to contemplation of the plan of
retaliation as mode which still remains of
treating the situation.
am not unmindfu Of the gravity of the re-
sponsibility assumed in adopting this line of
conduct, nor do fail in the least TO appreciate
Its serious consequences. 1t will be impossible
to iniure our Canadian neighbors by retaliatory
measures without infiicting some damage upon
our own citizens. This results from our prox-
inevitable commnglng of business en-
sterprsss which have been developed
6y mutual activity. Plainly stated,
the policy of national retaliation mani
testify embraces the infiiction of the greatest
haIm upon those who have injured
Us with the least possible damage to ourselves
Ihere is also an evident propriety as well as an
invitation 70 moral support, found in visiting
upon the offending party the same measure or
Kind Of treatment OF which we complain, and
as rar as possible, within the same lines. And
above all things, the plan of retaliation, If en-
Tered upon, should be thorough and vigorous
these considerations lead me at this time 10
invoke the aid and counsel of congress, and its
support in such further grant of power
as seems to ssary aud desir
tole TO render effective the policy / have
indicated Congress has already passed law
Gd,l G%neh received executive assent on the taird
Jay OF March, 1897, providing that in case
american fishing vessels, being or visiting in
Jhe waters or at any of the ports of the British
iLonilnlons Of North America, should be, or
iately had been, deprived of rights to which
tuey we're eutitled by treaty or law, or II they
were denied certain other privileges therein
specified, or vexed or harrassed in the enjoy
Lent Of the same. the President might deny to
vessels and thtif masters and crews of the Brit
!sn dominions of North America any entrance
ato the waters, ports or harbors OF the United
Dlates aud also deny entry into any port or
pSte OF the UIited States of any product OF
SAG lomnons or other goods coming from
ealI dolunOns to the United States While
sual not hesitate, upon proper occasion, to en-
t.o'ce this act. IL would seem 20 be unnecessary
20 suggest that. II such enforcement IL limited
~ Such manner as shall result in the least
n"s'l9e injury to our own people, the effect
MOud probably be entirely inadequate TO the
accomplishment OF the purpose desired. deem
my duty, therefore, to call the at
tenllon OF congress TO certain particulars
- ~ we action of the Authorities of the dominion
vi Nanada IN addition TO the general allegations
HHieGdy made, which appear to lie in such
laIkel contrast to the liberal and friendly dis.
kOsluon OF our country, as In my opinion TO call
a such legislation aS will, upon the principles
t'9duy stated, properly supplement the power
az Vuangurate retaliation already vested in the
S@eVutlve. Actuated by the generous and
isEHuorly spirit which has characterized our
sslation, our tariff laws have since 1866 been
~ iar waived in favor OF Canada as to allow
ne Iive OF duty transit across the territory of the
sh ChhVe1 states of property arriving at our ports
Gu Gu destined to Canada exported from
Nestnada TO other foreign countries.
t,. lien tne treaty OF Washington was nego.
Ga.eu IN 1871 between the United States and
,e4t Britain, having for it's object very largely
iaIOalncation OF the treaty OF 1918 the priv-